Chapter 218

When Joe heard the sound, he looked up to see a stunningly beautiful woman walking toward him. Skylar's fair skin seemed to glow; her gaze was like that of an otherworldly fairy, exuding a pure desire she herself wasn't aware of. Her body was reflected in the rippling water. Any man present would likely feel an urge to succumb to his desires. Joe had never denied that Skylar held a special place in his heart; her every move easily stirred his emotions.

Seeing Joe staring, Skylar felt puzzled by his intense gaze. Was something wrong with her outfit? She had checked herself in the mirror beforehand. The swimsuit's style was simple, and the color wasn't one she often wore, but it shouldn't look that bad.

"Does it look weird?" Skylar asked.

Joe cleared his throat, feeling a slight dryness. He took a sip of wine and replied, "It's fine."

Skylar found a comfortable spot to sit and looked at Joe seriously. "Can we talk now?"

Joe stared into her clear eyes—as innocent and earnest as a child's—feeling his throat tighten. "Don't look at me like that," he said.

"What?" Skylar was stunned. What kind of look had she given him? Wasn't it a normal look for discussing something?

"The way you look at me makes me want to make love to you," Joe said bluntly.

Skylar's eyes widened, shocked by his straightforwardness. "You've got it wrong. I'm not trying to seduce you." Truth be told, Skylar knew many things, but seducing someone with her eyes wasn't her forte. The fact that a glance from her could make Joe want to kiss her was simply wild.

"What do you want to talk about?" Joe took another sip of wine.

Seeing this, Skylar noticed another glass of wine beside her. She took a sip, mustered her courage, and said, "We said we'd be a real couple this afternoon, but now we're talking about making out. Aren't we being too impulsive? I'm afraid you'll regret it."

Joe stood, walked over, and sat beside her. "Why do you think I'll regret it?"

"You're several years older than me, and you've never had any scandals. Grandma Gloria said you've never even had a girlfriend. In this kind of situation, you must have an unrequited first love in your heart. At least, that's what the novels say. If your first love comes back, you'll regret betraying her and take it out on me. Won't I become the scapegoat then?" Skylar voiced her concerns, echoing thoughts she'd had earlier in the shower. Being husband and wife with Joe was fine; being the scapegoat would be a disaster.

Joe chuckled. "Love in novels is always grand and always has a happy ending. Do you believe that?"

Skylar, who once had believed it, shook her head.

"I'll give you a few days to adapt," Joe said softly.

Skylar blinked. ""

"I'm too old for you. Is that it?" Joe remembered Skylar mentioning their age difference.

"Absolutely not!" Skylar exclaimed, standing up. "That's not what I meant."

In that instant, the stones under her feet felt sharp and slippery. She stumbled forward, falling into Joe's strong embrace. His hands landed on her back, and she ended up sitting on his lap, her body pressed against his. His muscles were clearly defined, and the thin swimsuit offered little resistance. Skylar didn't know whether the hot spring water or Joe's body was the cause, but her face flushed instantly.

"I" Skylar's face turned red.

Joe suddenly pressed her head down and planted a deep, lingering kiss on her lips—the kind that would make any woman instinctively retreat.