Page 187 of Cruel Devotion

“That moment was fine.”

Chewing, she shook her head. “No way. There's already Meatball Gate.”

“I don't give a fuck about Meatball Gate and what anyone else thinks—”

“But you do care about the location of my panties that I didn't even know were missing?”

“Yes.”

“Well stop caring. I told Duck that there was no chance of anything happening between us.”

“Still, he has your panties.”

“You better drop it or I'm going to stab you with one of these chopsticks.” She grabbed more duck and rolled her eyes.

I smirked, finding that little threat adorable. “I'll drop it but he has to give you the panties back—”

“Lei, I don't want them back. You think I'm going to wear them now?”

“It's not about wearing them. It's the symbolism—”

“Get over it.” She pointed at me. “Or you get them.”

“Hmmm.”

“I have more important things to think about like the fact that you said I can take your virginity.”

My body hummed with desire. “Thatismore important.”

“Do you know when you want this momentous event to happen?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

I grinned. “After we're done eating.”

She widened her eyes. “Today.”

“Fuck yes.”

Another server entered with the final course, sweet red bean buns.

As the server placed the plate of sweet red bean buns on the table, Moni and I exchanged a mischievous glance.

The anticipation of what was to come hung in the air between us.

When he left, she whispered. “I can't believe we're actually doing this.”

“I put some things in place to make sure it was special for the both of us.”

“What things?”

“You'll see.”

With that promise hanging in the air, we turned our attention to the plate of sweet red bean buns. They were soft and fluffy, filled with a luscious red bean paste that oozed out temptingly as we bit into them.

The flavors danced on my tongue, a delicate sweetness that perfectly capped off our romantic meal.

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