37: Chapter 37: Fingers Interlocked_1 37: Chapter 37: Fingers Interlocked_1 In the darkness, Samantha Tate’s hand brushed against Carson Flores’ which he had placed by his side.
Samantha’s hand trembled slightly but didn’t move, while Carson’s hand subconsciously drew in slightly toward the inside, clearly assuming the contact was unintentional.
Samantha’s face grew even hotter.
They say it’s easier for a man to pursue a woman than for a woman to pursue a man, as the former is like climbing a mountain while the latter is like piercing through a layer of yarn.
Despite her lack of romantic experiences, Samantha knew that taking the initiative in such an enclosed space might trigger a string of reactions.
But it was the darkness that gave Samantha the courage she wouldn’t have had in broad daylight, under Carson’s gaze.
Since she had already reached out her hand, she might as well go all the way!
Samantha bit her lip and stretched out her hand again, this time not tentatively approaching but directly moving it over and grabbing Carson’s hand.
Carson seemed startled for a moment and instinctively tried to withdraw his hand, but Samantha went all in, slipping her hand into the palm of Carson’s and threading her fingers through his, interlocking them firmly.
Carson’s hand stopped moving.
Samantha felt as if her entire body was on fire, but she still held Carson’s hand tightly and did not let go.
Carson’s breathing grew more rapid, but he didn’t move.
The nervousness in Samantha’s heart subsided slightly, but now she felt a bit puzzled.
Why was there no reaction?
She had taken the initiative to hold his hand, wasn’t the hint clear enough?
But he didn’t seem like someone who would be shy around women, did he?
Then it dawned on her; that’s right, he was engaged, even if it was just a pretense, but officially, that’s how it was.
That must be why he hadn’t reacted.
Deciding to be bolder, Samantha thought…
after all, he had looked at her twice now, so a bit more intimacy couldn’t hurt, right?
She pulled Carson’s hand closer, changed their position, then turned towards him, squeezing closer and laying her head on his arm.
In the darkness, Samantha saw Carson turn his head to look at her.
Feeling suddenly insecure, she closed her eyes and, finding a more comfortable position, stilled.
Carson didn’t pull his hand back, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but also didn’t take any further action.
He simply held her loosely and closed his eyes.
Samantha waited nervously for a long time, and when she realized that Carson hadn’t pulled his arm away, she breathed a sigh of relief.
If Carson had forcefully rejected her, she would have been mortified.
Although she didn’t understand what Carson was thinking, their current position satisfied the desires of her heart.
If Carson had responded passionately, she wouldn’t have known what to do.
This way, it was perfect!
Resting by Carson’s side, Samantha felt an unprecedented sense of security.
Overtaken by the effects of alcohol and sleepiness, she quickly fell asleep.
Samantha fell asleep, but Carson was tormented.
He was at an age ripe with vigor, and the noise from the next tent was already uncomfortable enough.
With Samantha’s close contact, how could he not be uncomfortable?
Carson stared at the tent ceiling, enduring it for a long time before he finally fell asleep.
Carson was awoken by the movement in his arms.
As he opened his eyes, he saw Samantha carefully propping herself up from his embrace.
They looked into each other’s eyes.
Samantha’s face suddenly turned red.
She quickly sat up from Carson’s embrace and used her disheveled hair to hide her fluster.
This slightly abrupt greeting made a still-groggy Carson laugh.
He sat up and smiled in response, “Morning.
I’m going for a walk.
get yourself together.”
Samantha bit her lip, “Okay!”
Carson opened the tent flap and walked out, strolling over to the pool and splashed his face with cold water, immediately feeling fully awake.
Sitting on a round stone by the pool, Carson lit a cigarette.
Samantha’s initiative to take his hand and cuddle up to him the previous night was something Carson had not expected.
What did she mean by it?
Carson shook his head to clear the tangled thoughts from his mind and decided not to dwell on it.
He would take it as a stress response after going through a life-or-death scare.
People often exhibit behaviors in such environments driven by their unique emotional needs, which can subside once the situation changes and their mood settles.
It’s like a man and a woman stranded on a deserted island, no matter how beautiful and noble the woman or how poor and plain the man, the extreme situation tends to spark emotion between them.
However, once they are rescued and return to civilization, countless chasms swiftly divide them again.
In the wilderness surrounded by wolves, she might feel he was almost godlike, but back in the city, she might think his skills aren’t that useful after all.
With no money and just a poor boy, he would be no match for her.
The tent flap next door opened, and Roland Browning crawled out, stretched lazily, and seeing Carson by the pool, his eyes lit up and he walked over.
“Carson, up so early?”
Carson gave Roland a sidelong glance, his expression unfriendly.
It was this guy’s commotion that kept him from sleeping last night!
“Roland, you’ve got quite the stamina…”