The ocean whispered beyond the dark sand, a soft chorus beneath the warm golden glow of the fairy lights strung along the wooden archway. The scent of salt hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint sweetness of the flowers that framed the venue.
Jason's hands slid around Son Liying's waist, pulling her back against his chest. Her breath caught when his lips brushed the curve of her neck again, this time slower, hotter, lingering just long enough for her to shiver.
"Your lips are cold," she whispered, turning just enough to meet his gaze.
"I know a method to warm them up."
"Oh yeah? What do you have in mind—"
Her question broke into a sharp inhale as he kissed her—deep, claiming, no hesitation. She felt the press of him against her, solid and unyielding, as his hand cradled her jaw and tilted her face just where he wanted it. His other hand roamed lower, gripping her hip, fingers pressing into her through the thin fabric of her dress.
Her arms looped around his neck, pulling him down, her lips parting under his. He didn't waste the invitation—tongues met, the kiss turning hungry, urgent. When she gasped for breath, he caught her lower lip between his teeth, drawing a muffled sound from her throat that made him smirk against her mouth.
Jason backed her toward one of the floral arches, guiding her until the wood was at her back. The fairy lights framed her face, catching the shine in her eyes.
"You're mine tonight," he murmured against her skin before trailing kisses down her throat, his lips hot and damp against the rapid pulse there.
Her fingers slid into his hair, nails grazing his scalp as his hands roamed down, smoothing over the curve of her thigh before slipping higher. She let out a small gasp, heat flushing her cheeks even in the cool night air.
He paused, meeting her gaze again, silently asking without words. She didn't look away. Instead, she took his wrist and guided him exactly where she wanted him, her breath coming faster.
The world outside the glowing circle of lights ceased to exist. It was just the rhythm of their breathing, the crash of waves in the distance, the taste of each other. Her dress shifted under his hands; his jacket slid to the ground. She pressed herself against him, feeling his heartbeat match hers.
"Jason…" she breathed, half a plea, half a warning.
"Say it again."
She did—and this time it came out broken, breathless.
The kiss deepened, their movements growing more frantic. Hands explored, gripped, claimed. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew this was reckless, but the thought dissolved when his lips traced a path along her collarbone, teeth grazing just enough to make her knees weaken.
And then—
A voice.
"Hello? Anyone still here?"
They froze. Jason turned his head just enough to see a man with a bucket and mop step into the glow of the lights. The cleaner stopped dead mid-step, eyes widening as realization hit.
"Oh. Uh. Sorry—didn't mean to—uh—" He backed away so fast his mop clattered to the floor. "I'll come back later."
The moment shattered, replaced by a silence so thick it almost felt louder than the ocean.
Liying buried her face in Jason's chest, mortified. "I can't believe—"
He chuckled, already pulling her dress back into place, straightening his own shirt. "Guess we just made the wedding afterparty unforgettable."
She shoved his shoulder, still red-faced. "Shut up."
He just smirked, grabbing his jacket from the sand and holding it out for her. She slipped into it, muttering under her breath, but the way she clung to his arm on the walk back said she wasn't really angry.
By the time they reached the car, the embarrassment had melted into soft laughter between them, each teasing the other. And though nothing else was said outright, the way Jason's hand stayed tangled with hers promised this was far from over.