He stared at her, half exasperated, half awed and completely undone. "You definitely did."
Her smile softened. "Good."
And before he could find another word, she reached for his hand and led him toward the exit, leaving the café. His fingers traced the outline of his lips as if to capture the sensation, lingering on the soft memory of her touch, feeling the warmth that still buzzed beneath his skin. He was too busy replaying that kiss, the one that had stolen every ounce of his anger and replaced it with the dizzy certainty that she was his and he hers, no matter who was watching.
Noelle felt the intensity radiating off him, the unspoken words lingering in the space between them. He appeared appeased, almost calm but the tightness of his grip and the twitch in his jaw told a different story. He minded. A lot.
She gently pulled her hand free, stepping back just enough to create some space. "I know," she said softly, eyes meeting his. "I get it. But you can't control everything, Ren. Not him, not Mei Ling, not me."
Ren exhaled sharply, a mixture of frustration and something else he refused to name. "I know," he admitted, voice rough. "I just… I don't like it. I don't like feeling like I could lose you over someone like him."
Outside, the air was cool, carrying the scent of rain that hadn't yet fallen. The city noise wrapped around them but it all seemed muted compared to the rush still in Ren's chest.
They stopped under the awning of a quiet storefront, both a little breathless. Noelle looked up at him, half expecting another flustered remark or a scolding. But Ren only stared for a moment, his eyes dark and unreadable, the ghost of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You really didn't have to do that," he said finally, though his voice was softer than the words.
"I know." She smiled faintly. "But I wanted to."
That was all it took. Whatever resistance had been holding him back cracked like glass under warmth. He stepped closer, his hand finding hers again, fingers threading through.
Ren bent down, brushed his forehead against hers, and whispered, "Then don't stop wanting to."
Before she could answer, he leaned in and kissed her again, slower this time, deliberate and deep, as if trying to erase the space between them. It wasn't a claim, just a continuation of the heat that had already sparked. Her fingers tangled in his shirt, pulling him closer and the world around them seemed to vanish, replaced by the press of his lips, the slide of his hands along her waist, the quickening rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest. Every brush of skin sent sparks up her spine, and for a moment, it felt like the mall didn't exist: just the two of them, dangerously close, burning with a need they could no longer ignore.
She pulled back just enough to murmur, breathless, "Ren… we really shouldn't…"
He smirked against her lips, voice low and teasing. "Shouldn't what? Make everyone jealous of how good this feels?"
Her laugh caught in her throat, half a gasp, half a giggle as he nuzzled her neck. Every brush of skin sent sparks up her spine and for a moment, it was just them. Too close, too hot and entirely, wonderfully unstoppable.
Before she could respond, he gave a playful tug and a light nudge of his hip, pressing her against him. She stumbled slightly, half-laughing, half-gasping, as his hand slid to the small of her back to steady her. "Seriously," she managed, trying to sound stern, "people are staring!"
He leaned closer, forehead brushing hers, smirk in place. "Good. Let them stare. Maybe they'll learn a thing or two." Another gentle hip nudge drew a giggle from her, and every brush of his skin sent sparks up her spine.
She pulled back just enough to murmur, breathless, "Ren… we really shouldn't…"
He grinned against her lips, nuzzling the side of her neck. "Shouldn't what? Cause a scene? Make everyone jealous?" Then his lips brushed her ear, warm and low as he nibbled gently. "Bet no one else has this much fun in the middle of the mall," he uttered huskily.
He knew he should say something, apologise, make sense of what had just happened but every time he pulled back far enough to see her face, the words slipped away. All that was left was the simple, overwhelming truth that he didn't want the moment to end.
Noelle laughed softly against his mouth. "You're supposed to be mad at me."
"I was," he murmured. "You ruined that."
"Sorry," she teased.
"Don't be." He kissed her again, gentler still.
When they finally broke apart, the edge of tension that had haunted their conversation was gone. Ren rested his forehead against hers, smiling faintly. "Next time, maybe warn me first."
Noelle grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
He laughed under his breath, pulling her a little closer and for the first time all day, everything felt simple.
They started walking without saying much at first. The streetlights had just come on, washing the pavement in a soft amber glow. Their footsteps fell in rhythm, side by side, their joined hands swinging lightly between them.
Ren's thumb brushed over Noelle's knuckles now and then, as if to remind himself she was really there. The last traces of their argument hung somewhere behind them, already fading with each step.
"You know," she said after a while, "you looked completely stunned back there."
He gave a small, rueful laugh. "You kissed me in the middle of a café. I think I'm allowed a little shock."
"You weren't mad after that though," she said, glancing at him from under her lashes.
"Couldn't remember how to be," he admitted, the corner of his mouth turning up. "You tend to have that effect."
She smiled, leaning her shoulder against his arm as they walked. The night air was cool enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him, grounding her in a way that words couldn't.
For a few blocks they didn't talk, just listened to the sound of distant music from a bar, to the whisper of wind through the trees. When she stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk, he caught her instinctively, his hand steady at her waist. Neither of them moved right away.
"Thanks," she murmured.
He looked down at her, the light catching the faint blush on her cheeks. "You keep me on my toes."
She laughed softly. "That's payback for making me blush all day."
"Then I guess we're even."
They kept walking, slower now. The city noise thinned as they turned down her street, the houses quiet and familiar. Ren squeezed her hand gently.
"You were right," he said at last. "I do need to trust more."
Noelle's voice softened. "And I need to stop shocking you in public."
"Don't stop completely," he said, smiling. "Just… maybe give me a warning next time."
She nodded, then looked up at him with a warmth that made his chest tighten. "No way."
They reached her door but neither of them moved to let go just yet. The silence that settled between them wasn't awkward this time. Ren leaned down, pressed a light kiss to her forehead, and whispered, "Good night, Noelle."
"Good night, Ren," she replied, her smile lingering even after he turned to leave.
As he walked away, he caught himself grinning and for the first time in a long while, he felt entirely at ease. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the echo of unspoken words.