The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 361

It was only after her lips met his that Riley realized what she had just done. She had simply wanted to stop his self-blame, but since her hands were trapped against his chest while he held her, desperation had driven her to kiss him.

It was just a fleeting touch, and she pulled back immediately. Panic flickered in her eyes, her eyelashes trembling. "I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to."

Watching her flustered panic, the shock in Sebastian's eyes faded, replaced by a slow, spreading warmth. "Kissing me is your right as my girlfriend. You don't need to apologize."

Girlfriend. He had called her his girlfriend.

Although they had agreed to give things a try a week ago, neither she nor he had ever clarified their relationship. They hadn't officially called it dating, nor had they established any formal titles.

This was the first time he had explicitly defined what they were to each other.

It felt as if honey had been poured straight into Riley's heart, its sweetness rippling through her, soothing all her fears and anxieties.

She looked up at him. "I don't blame you. I should have listened to your explanation."

After being deceived and betrayed by Pierce, she had become sensitive. Seeing how cold Sebastian had been toward her, and how naturally he had spoken with Winona and Eleanor about marriage and children, she had immediately assumed she was being played.

She had sentenced him in her mind without giving him a chance to defend himself, assuming any reason he offered would just be a hollow excuse.

Sebastian's profound gaze locked onto hers. "Are you still mad?"

"I'm not mad anymore."

Sebastian had thought he had everything under control. He believed that as long as Riley was willing, they could be together. He hadn't anticipated Victoria's sudden divorce and return. He didn't fear her, nor was he afraid of a power struggle, but he absolutely refused to drag Riley into the vicious crossfire of family politics.

After everything he had been through, he no longer feared death. But he was terrified of Riley being in danger.

"Our relationship will remain a secret for now. Can you accept that?" Sebastian's deep voice carried a hint of nervousness. Even when negotiating multi-million dollar contracts, he had never felt this kind of anxiety.

Riley actually didn't want to make their relationship public either. She had no idea how to face the reality of it all, especially since she was Pierce's ex-wife—Sebastian's former sister-in-law. Once it became public, she couldn't even imagine the gossip they would face.

Just as Winona had said, maybe they would date and realize they weren't right for each other. After all, she and Sebastian belonged to entirely different worlds. Whether it was their values or how they navigated life, they might not be compatible at all.

But at least they would have tried, leaving no room for regret or "what ifs."

Of course, she wasn't entering this expecting a breakup. She knew she liked this man. Since they were trying, she wanted to give it her all, to honor the kindness he had shown her and stay true to her own feelings.

She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his whirlpool-like eyes. Swallowing hard through her dry throat, she whispered, "Yes."

The moment the word left her mouth, his lips crashed down onto hers.

As their lips met, a terrifyingly hot spark seemed to detonate, turning her mind to pure mush. It felt like fireworks were exploding in her head, crackling with a dazzling array of colors.

Out of pure nerves, her hands instinctively grabbed the fabric of his shirt at his waist. After a brief moment of shock, a tidal wave of intense sensation completely swallowed her.

His lips were slightly cool and incredibly soft. The air filled with his crisp, woody scent mixed with his unique masculine musk, wrapping around her seamlessly.

At first, the kiss was gentle, lingering, as if she were a fragile porcelain doll. But as he parted her lips and deepened the kiss, he seemed to lose control.

His tongue swept through her mouth with an undeniable dominance, like a man starved in the desert who had finally stumbled upon an oasis, desperate to consume her entirely. There were low pants woven into his kiss, and the fiery heat of his tongue left her dizzy with desire.

She couldn't handle it. Her body went completely weak, her legs giving out beneath her.

Sensing her loss of balance, Sebastian caught her and spun them around, pressing her against the entryway cabinet. To keep the edge from digging into her, he slipped his hand behind her waist, holding her securely in place.