MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

The clerk let out a disappointed sigh. Sure enough, she thought all the good men in this world were taken...

Crystal smiled as she slipped the gloves over his fingers.

"They are perfect!" Nathan exclaimed. "What made you want to buy me a gift?"

"I suddenly remembered that I have never bought you a gift before," Crystal replied, "and I wanted to rectify the situation."

"But you have bought me a gift," Nathan said. "On my birthday. Don't you remember?" Crystal blushed, and she turned her head in embarrassment. On his birthday, she had given him herself to him as a gift. Nathan kissed her neck. "That was the best gift I have ever received," he whispered. "Of course, I also like these gloves."

Crystal smiled. "I am glad. Have you found Nancy yet?"

"I think that she is in the hospital," Nathan replied. "I am waiting for verification."

Crystal gave Nathan a hug and thanked him. Then, she said, "To show my appreciation, I will make you a tasty dinner. Can I make dumplings? What do you think? Clark also likes dumplings very much."

"Okay." Nathan shrugged. "Everything you make is delicious. But why are you being so kind to me today? First, you bought me a gift, and now you want to make dumplings for me?"

****

Crystal looked into Nathan's eyes and frowned. "Aren't I always kind to you?" she asked.

Nathan's brows furrowed. He thought about what she had said for a moment, and then he said, "Actually, you aren't. In fact, you have never made me a dumpling before. So, what gives? You either want something, or you are looking for forgiveness for something that you did…."

"Well…" Crystal sighed. "New Year's Eve is approaching, and I want to spend it with you. So, I bought you a gift. I am also going to make pizza, just the way that Clark likes it. So, what's the big deal?"

"I don't know," Nathan admitted. "Maybe nothing..."

"All right, then." Crystal clapped her hands together. "From now on, we will spend every New Year's Eve together." She gave Nathan a big hug.

"What's the matter with you?" Nathan wondered as he returned her hug.

Crystal shook her head. "Do I need a reason to hug you?"

Nathan smiled as he lifted her chin. He pressed his lips to hers, and he kissed her violently. Crystal shook all over, and she tried to push him away. His grip on her was too tight, though, and she was forced to accept his kiss.

The crowd surged. They were slightly surprised to see this couple boldly kissing in public, and they liked what they saw.

A long time passed before Nathan let go of her lips. "Why did you hug me?" he asked.

"Never mind," Crystal replied. "You overthink everything! It is so annoying..." She tried to pull away, but he would not let her go.

"Tell me why you hugged me!" Nathan shouted. More people turned their heads to stare at them, but he didn't care.

Crystal froze for a moment, and then she said, "I miss you."

"What did you say?" his eyes went wide. "Say it again!"

"I miss you, Nathan."

A look of surprise appeared on Nathan's face. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear: "I kissed you because I love you."

Crystal was surprised by his sudden declaration of love.

"Every time I kiss you, it is my way of telling you that I love you," Nathan continued. "You are mine. What is yours is mine, and I am the only one that you can kiss."

Crystal felt warmed by Nathan's heartfelt words. He did not ask for much. He looked so happy, and he danced with glee at the slightest bit of affection from her.

****

On the opposite side of the mall, there was a festival taking place in the parking lot.

Children were running about, and fireworks were being shot into the sky.

Nathan put his arm around Crystal's waist and asked her gently, "What are you looking for?"

"Well, nothing." Crystal's cheeks were red, and her heart was beating fast. She looked around, made sure that no one was near, and said, "Nathan, I love you."

Nathan's ear twitched. He thought he had misheard her.

Crystal lowered her head, and she avoided looking him in the eyes. Strangely, she was not afraid of death, but this simple confession seemed to have taken all of her strength.

Nathan stared at her closely as if he were probing a difficult question. "What did you say?"

"I said what I said," Crystal mumbled. "Please, don't be like this..."

"Say it again. I didn't catch what you said the first time."

"I won't repeat it!" Crystal exclaimed. "I never say my words twice."

"Hey, Crystal!" Nathan pulled her back. "I really didn't catch what you were saying. I am not playing around. It is too noisy here."

Crystal looked left and right to confirm that they were alone, and then she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Did you hear that?" she asked.

Nathan grinned from ear to ear. He felt like he had been electrocuted but in a good way. The last time Crystal had said that she loved him, he had been forced to stab himself in the chest to get her to say it. This time, all it had taken was him telling her first. He rubbed his palm against her cheek and said, "You do love me!"

Before Crystal could reply, a nearby firework exploded. It filled the air with excitement.

Nathan scooped her up in his arms and kissed her hard.

Crystal's heart began to beat hard, and her face turned red. Nathan gradually intensified the kiss, and as they walked through the crowd, they bumped into people without even knowing it.

Crystal wrapped her arms around his neck. Her whole body was hot, and her face was burning. He kissed her hard as he poured out his love for her. And to his delight, she seemed to be as into the kiss as he was.

Finally, Nathan pulled away and said, "We should head back to the car.