Fire and Ice

Chapter Fifteen

Laney's POV

"You know, you look beautiful when your hair is all messy like that," Chan said as I snuggled closer to him. I had just woken up after spending a late night out with the group. It had been one crazy night and by the time we arrived home, I was exhausted.

"It's even better when I'm the reason why it's so messy." Chan leaned down and pecked my lips as he smirked and my cheeks turned hot as he looked me in the eyes.

"Stop," I mumbled as I buried my face in my hands. "You're making me blush."

Chan pulled my hands away from my face before cupping my cheek. "Never, baby girl. I'll never get tired of seeing you like this. You're stunning."

My heart raced as he stared at me, his eyes filled with so much love and adoration that it was hard for me not to blurt out three certain words right now. I was utterly in love with this man, and if he didn't stop looking at me like that, I didn't know what I would do.

"How did I get so lucky?" I whispered before lying back down beside him and resting my head on his chest. My ear laid over his heart and as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer, I heard the pace pick up speed.

"Can I ask you a question?" Chan asked, his voice vibrating his chest. I hummed in response, my eyes closed as I listened to the thump of his heartbeat. "When did things switch for you?" I looked up at him and tilted my head, my brows raised. "With us, I mean. When did you know you had feelings for me?"

"Oh." I sat up and pulled the covers with me to cover my exposed skin. I thought back, memories flashing through my head, but only one stood out from the rest.

"I think it started the first time you pulled me out of a panic attack."

Chan scooted himself up to rest his back on the headboard. His eyes locked with mine, and I could see how important this question was to him. "And then?"

My face flushed as I thought about the memory that cemented my feelings in place. "Then you stood up to my father for me and I was sold. I'll admit, I didn't know it then, but I do now."

Chan smirked evilly before pulling the blanket out from under my arms and hovering over me. He growled before licking his lips, his eyes darting down to mine before flicking back up and capturing my eyes again. "Oh, I see. You like it when I'm protective, huh?"

I giggled in response before resting my arms on his shoulders and fisting his hair. "It was kind of hot, I won't lie." He dipped his head and crashed his lips against mine before pulling away and gazing at me with the same look in his eyes that always made me melt.

"Hot or not, I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again," he said seriously and I could tell by his tone that he meant that with every fiber of his being. Hearing those words set off a fire in my belly, and I was about to taunt him into quenching it when he spoke again.

"I love you, Min Laney." His gaze was so intense that I almost shriveled down into dust. Did he just say what I think he just said? My heart raced, the thumping so loud in my ears that I almost lost myself. His face changed to one of fear and he pushed himself up, but I stopped him by grabbing his neck.

I smiled at him as I hoped my eyes portrayed every emotion that thrashed around inside my chest. "I love you, too, Bang Christopher Chan." I captured his lips with mine before pulling away. "I think I always have."

Chan smiled widely before kissing me yet again. He left kisses down my jaw and my neck before continuing down. Right then, I knew that this is exactly where I wanted to be. It didn't matter what life threw at us, I'd be by his side always. He made me want forever and I'll be damned if I didn't get forever with him.