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His body stilled, his lips resting on my neck as he took deep, shuddering breaths. Mine were matching his as well as I whispered, “We need to go to the party now.”

A low groan vibrated in his throat, and then a couple of seconds later, he lowered me down to the ground on my feet. I adjusted my dress while he adjusted his own clothes. My hands shot up to my hair to check, the bun had come loose.

“Can you please remove the pin?” I looked at him and pointed at the glittery pin in my hair.

He nodded his head and took the pin out of my hair carefully. He ran his fingers through my hair, middle parting them gently and placing some of my hair on my left shoulder while the others laid on my back, “All good again.” he smiled.

The glass rose was still in his hand. I reached out and took it from his hand, “Thank you for this. I love it.”

“You are welcome.” he extended his hand toward me. I took it, and we walked to the party, finally.

All the arrangement of food and decoration had been do