Burning Passion

CHAPTER 252: HER FIRST KISS AFTER ALL

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Lovingly, Steven peering at Nina. Deep down inside his heart is fear that she hasn't woken until now. The effect should not be this long.

He thought of beating up these guys one more time for what they've done. Throwing a dark glare, the guy with whom he twisted the arm shudder.

The guy avoided his gaze and waited for his end once the royal guards arrived. He knew that if he ran and tried to escape, it was useless. The Royal guards and bodyguards of important families scattered around the palace. For sure, they were on alert and searching for them. 

He is cursing James for having a lame plan to take Sarah away. He pondered that he should not get involved even if James kicks him out as his closest friends.

Now how could he face his family? 

Meanwhile, Steven remained to throw a dagger stare at the guy. If his gaze could kill, he would already be dead by now. 

Calming down his raging chest, he heard Nina groans. 

Steven leans over. He saw Nina reach for her head. Instantly, he guesses that she was in a daze and headaches.

"Nina? How are you feeling?" He asked worriedly. The tenderness in his voice is like a marshmallow melting in a cup of cappuccino. 

However, once Nina senses someone's presence, she pushes the guy leaning on her. She raises her hand to scratch him, but Steven has a good reflection to catch Nina's hand. 

"Nina! It was me! Don't worry! You are safe!" Steven is careful to soften his tone, not creating panic in Nina.

Remain closed her eyes, Nina tried to remember who owned that voice. She raked her head off what happened before she lost consciousness, but she's still dazed. 

"Nina?" 

Tears began plummeting her eyes. Somehow, this voice is soothing her nerves. 

"Don't worry. I arrived at the right time. You are safe now." 

At the bottom of her heart, she searches for who owns this voice. Slowly, Nina opens her eyes. Staring at the guy leaning on her, she reached for his neck and pulled him close before she cried with all of her heart. 

"Shush. I'm just here by your side." Steven combed Nina's hair, letting her cry on his shoulder. 

"I thought…" Nina stammered her voice while her body shuddered upon recalling what happened just a while back. 

She was standing near the Christmas tree after a photographer requested for a pose he will publish for a famous magazine he works at. 

After several clicks on his camera. The photographer thanked her with delight. But another photographer requests Nina to pose for a Magazine that the entire world knows its popularity. 

She poses according to the woman's request and lasts; Nina asked to pose on a side angle. 

She nods slightly and turns to her right. But her eyes caught Sarah arguing with someone outside the Dance Hall. 

When the guy grabbed her, it was the time she walked toward Sarah, but the guy kept dragging her toward a door. 

She followed them and realized it was an exit door. 

Nina looks around in which direction she should take. 

"Let me go!" 

She heard Sarah's voice in the right-wing of the hallway. Nina hurried to where she heard the faint voices. 

"Sarah!" She calls out. But she quickly took a few steps backward. Scanning the three men's faces, she only recognizes one guy, but she forgets the name. 

"Nina! Go, call Albert for… Mmmmm…" 

The guy covered Sarah's mouth. She gradually lost consciousness. Witnessing this, she grabbed the hem of her gown, turned around, and ran away from that room. 

"Catch her!" 

"But!" 

"She will go to Albert, idiot!" 

It was the conversation her ears caught. Later, she heard footsteps following her, however; it puzzled her which hallway she should take. She's lost! 

"There you are, sweetie!" 

She runs forward, but one guy catches her up. Reaching her arm, Nina struggled to lose from his hold, but she was thrown on the console table, causing Nina to fall on the floor and slammed her head on the foot of the table. 

"What are we going to do now?" 

"You heard James. We cannot leave her when she sees us. We should take her with us!" 

"Okay." 

The other guy scratches his head. He leans over to Nina to pick her up but Nina shouted. 

"Help us! Please, help me!" 

"Shit! Shut up!" 

"Knock her out to shut her mouth!" 

Hearing the guy, Nina widened her eyes and observed what the guy would do to her. She tries to get up, but the guy stepping on her gown. 

Nina saw the guy shove his left hand into his pocket and take out a handkerchief. 

Her heart was beating so loud. She already guessed what the guy was trying to do. Before she could cover her mouth. The other guy grabs her hand and another guy shoves the handkerchief to her face. 

Nina continues crying inside Steven's arms. 

"Don't be afraid. I'm here." Steven continued coaxing Nina. 

"It scared me when I heard they will take me too." 

"It's alright now. They didn't succeed. I won't let anything happen to you." Steven parted from Nina to dry her eyes. "Shush now." 

Nina peering at the guy leaning on her. She pressed her lips upon having careful thought. She must not make a mistake of who is the guy in front of her. She now regained all her senses.

Though her heart has a bit of disappointment, this guy somehow brought warmth to her heart. He soon notices that she disappeared. It only means that he was paying attention to her. 

"How long I am missing?" she asked Steven.

"You were missing for less than half an hour, I guess."

"Really?" 

Steven pursed a warming smile. He nodded and replied to Nina. "Yes." 

"Okay..." She didn't ask further but averted her eyes from Steven. His intent gaze is burning her cheeks. 

Nina swallowed the lump in her throat. Steven remains gaping at her. It makes her uncomfortable not because she doesn't like it, but her face flushed. 

"Thank you," Nina whispered. She wondered if Steven heard it because it was more like she was talking to herself. 

"You're welcome. You know how much I love you. I won't let anyone harm you." 

Nina gasps upon hearing this. Steven's confession is echoing inside her head down to her heart. 

She couldn't find the words to counter it. And when Steven's head lowered, she just remained frozen lying on that settee. 

Steven is gently brushing his lips against hers. It was like he was asking for her permission. Of course, it was different from his kiss at the airport. And the first kiss he gave her many years ago. 

That's right. Steven is her first kiss, and it's not Harry...

Heaving a silent sigh, she found herself parting her lips and accepted Steven's kiss. 

This time, it has eagerness with his kisses, and she responded.