Chapter 216
Lisette’s eyes were wide, following his lead, gradually sinking into the tenderness in his gaze p>
The moment Tobias opened his eyes, he was met with her deep, dark ones.
She stared at him, dazed, a little like a startled deer.
Tobias pulled away slightly, lips parting from hers.
Their noses were practically touching, breaths mingling, and he let out a soft chuckle, voice low and intimate. “Why didn’t you close your eyes p>
Lisette hesitated briefly, then bit her lip. “I wanted to watch p>
“Huh p>
He brushed a finger gently over her brow. “Wanted to watch me… leave proof I’m crazy about you p>
She gave a small nod, then shook her head. “Watching reminds me it’s you… so I don’t get so nervous p>
A shadow flickered through Tobias’s previously tender gaze.
Two years ago, that bastard didn’t succeed, but the scars he left ran deep. Lisette wasn’t just any girl—she was supposed to be bold and free, enjoying love without this kind of burden.
But now, she fidgeted and felt anxious, like she was always second-guessing.
She used to be completely at ease when things didn’t go too far. But the moment she thought things might cross a line, all her hidden fears crept back in.
And still p>
This silly girl kept him close. She didn’t want to disappoint him, chose to try again—just for him.
Tobias’s heart ached.
He couldn’t turn back time, couldn’t stop what had happened that day. He couldn’t magically fix the pain she carried. All he could do now… was go slow, be patient, stay gentle.
He took her hand and placed it on his forehead, guiding her softly. “Lissy, touch here p>
“This is my forehead p>
His forehead was smooth, hairline clean—something about it made her want to linger.
“These are my brows p>
Long and thick, slightly arched, like two tiny brushes full of charm.
“My eyes p>
Not especially long lashes, but thick. The light hue in his pupils always felt a bit distant—except when looking at her. Then they warmed.
“This is my nose p>
High bridge, clear shape—and a tiny, pale mole at the tip, noticeable only this close.
“My lips p>
His lips were pale, corners flat when relaxed. But once he smiled—even just a little—the whole vibe changed. Way too good-looking.
“My chin p>
Slightly pointed, sharp in a way people in showbiz spent money trying to copy—some even said it was lucky.
“My Adam’s apple p>
Prominent and round, nestled in his long neck, like a little candy you kind of wanted to take a bite of.
Lisette’s fingers brushed over it, lingering softly.
“My collarbone p>
It dipped just right, every line tempting p>
Before she could explore more, Tobias slid her hand to the collar of his shirt.
She paused, looking up.
His gaze was steady, full of unspoken encouragement. And somehow, it gave her courage.
Her fingers trembled a bit, but under his quiet lead, she began unbuttoning his shirt slowly.
One by one, working down.
She wasn’t fast, and Tobias didn’t rush her. He let the moment stretch, calmly guiding her as the air between them grew warmer… heavier.
Clack.
The sharp sound of his belt coming undone echoed slightly.
A clear sign—things were about to go to the next level. Lisette’s fingers froze mid-motion. Her palm had started sweating, sticky and clammy, and her eyes were a little panicked. She tried to pull back, but Tobias held her hand firmly in place on his belt.
His grip was assertive, but his voice—soft, like a whisper of reassurance—said, “Do you want to keep going p>
Lisette waged an inner war, torn between her instincts and the shadows of her past. Her lips pressed into a tight line, and, after a moment, she gave a small nod.
“Don’t worry,” Tobias leaned closer and brushed a kiss against her lips. “If you feel off at any point, just say the word and we stop p>
Lisette gave a short “mm” in response, the sound barely audible over the thunderous silence of the room, where her pulse was practically bouncing off the walls. Clutching the belt in her hands, she gave it a tug down—
“Ding ding ding p>
Her phone rang.
Her hands stalled in mid-movement. Reflexively, she reached for it, but stopped herself with effort. Still, the surprise call had definitely thrown off her momentum. Her hands—once decisive—now moved awkwardly, hesitation creeping in.
Tobias caught the shift in her rhythm. Without a word, he leaned over casually, reached for her phone on the table, and answered it.
“Lise, you’re in Munich?” came Scarlett’s chirpy voice. “Dad’s off work for three days—I’m coming to Munich to crash with you tomorrow morning p>
“Lise p>
“Uh, yeah,” Lisette snapped out of it and quickly grabbed her phone, “I’m here p>
“Hmm p>
Scarlett picked up on the weird pause, clearly intrigued. She arched a brow and asked, “Babe, what were you up to just now p>
Lisette darted a glance over at Tobias.
His shirt was unbuttoned halfway, and he was slouched back against the couch, one arm propped lazily behind his head, the other resting limply on his knee. The warm light cast over him seemed to make his skin almost glow, muscles defined, practically glistening.
The sheer impact of that view hit her like a truck. Her eyes were practically zapped through.
Gah! She wanted to pounce.
As if picking up on that thought, Tobias curled his lips into a smirk—devilish and inviting. He pulled at one side of his shirt, making it slide even further off.
His belt—still loose from earlier—hung there, and now, with more of his abs and the sharp lines of his hips showing, it was total overload.
Lisette felt her breath hitch and her nose tingle. She glared at him furiously, voice hushed but biting. “Put your shirt back on! And stop moving!” Like, hello? I’m still on the phone here! With this whole weird “someone else is listening in” vibe, it was impossible to relax.
Then came Tobias’s smirk… followed by a long, exaggerated “Oh-hhh” from Scarlett over the speaker: “Babe, are you two playing strip-and-seek over there p>
Lisette: p>
Oh for crying out loud—”strip-and-seek”? Seriously p>
Red-faced, she blurted, “It’s not what you’re thinking p>
Scarlett, clearly amused, went on teasing. “Then what is it? Under what scenario does it make total sense to be half-naked, just you and a guy alone in a room p>
Lisette had nothing. No words. Nada.
Okay fine, maybe she had just been about to… you know… do the thing.
But they hadn’t done it yet, alright?
“See you tomorrow p>
She hung up in a panic, her face burning.
Next to her, one very cocky man was still lounging there radiating all the sex appeal in the world. The air in the room was so heavy it could ignite.
Lisette wilted a little under the weight of his gaze—why was he looking at her like that?
She jolted upright. “I’m gonna go make some late-night snacks p>
Because being in the same space with him any longer? Literal danger to her hemoglobin.
She escaped into the kitchen like it was a safe zone, grabbed a pot, and placed it on the stove. She hadn’t even turned the burner on yet when Tobias followed in behind her—and wrapped his arms around her from behind.