Chapter 417

Declan remained silent, offering no reaction. Hailey couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Fresh from the shower, his damp hair clung to his forehead. He was wearing a dark T-shirt and matching pants, and his youthful charm shone through. He was a fantastic cook, a skill honed through years of practice. There was something undeniably attractive about a man who knew his way around the kitchen.

The more Hailey watched him, the deeper her feelings grew. "Declan, why are you ignoring me? If you keep this up, I'll have to tickle you."

Before he could respond, Hailey reached up and began to tickle him. Her hands found his toned waist, and he jolted at the sensation. With one swift motion, Declan caught both her wrists, pinning her against the wall. "What do you think you're doing? You'd better behave." Hailey squirmed, trying to free her hands. "Why are you being so tough?"

Hailey rose on tiptoe, leaning in to press her lips to his. Upon noticing that he didn't pull away, she grew bolder, leaning in to kiss him again. The sweet, delicate scent of her skin—luxurious and floral, a sharp contrast to the soap he'd just used—was utterly intoxicating. Finally, Declan let go of her wrists.

Without hesitation, Hailey wrapped her arms around his waist, gently parting his lips with hers as she kissed him again. He was typically cold and distant, but as she let her tongue slip in, Hailey felt the rush of his warmth. She couldn't help but relish every second of it. Declan's body reignited with heat, the tension between them returning.

Just then, Pamela's voice broke the moment. "Why does it smell like something's burning?" Quickly, she entered the room. "Declan, did you burn the food?" Since Pamela was visually impaired and in the comfort of her own home, she didn't knock, simply walking in without hesitation.

Hailey immediately pulled away from Declan, her face flushing a bright shade of red. Declan's expression remained stoic as he calmly turned off the stove. "Mom, I forgot to turn off the heat. It's nothing."

"As long as everything's fine, there's no problem," Pamela said.

"Mrs. Zamora, I was just talking with Declan, and we lost track of time," Hailey explained.

Pamela smiled warmly. "Alright, you two continue. I'll give you some space."

Once Pamela left, an awkward silence followed. Hailey glanced at Declan, and to her surprise, noticed his ears had turned a deep red. He was blushing. Hailey couldn't contain her smile. Declan quickly denied it. "No, I—"

"Declan, are you blushing?"

"Oh, you most definitely are!"

Declan shot her a cold glare. "We—"

"I'm not leaving. I want to stay with you," Hailey said, wrapping her arms around him from behind. Her soft, sweet presence tangled with his, and Declan stiffened for a moment. "Hailey, you're a woman. Aren't you embarrassed?"

"You're my boyfriend! Isn't that what couples do? I'm not embarrassed," Hailey replied. "I kissed you, and I'm proud of it. You didn't push me away the first time, and every time after that, you didn't refuse. I refuse to believe you don't have feelings for me!"