Willow reached out and brushed her hand past. her lips. That wasnât just a touch, was it? âDo you still need proof?â Jasperâs raspy voice sounded.
It was only then that she was pulled back from her thoughts. The fact that he had kissed her was proof that he did not dislike her, and this realization caused her face to flush red as she bit her lips in embarrassment. However, she felt that the kiss had ended too quickly, so much so that she barely had the time to enjoy it.
âIs it supposed to be that quick?â she mumbled, clutching her face. Faced with her words, the man was rendered speechless while she awkwardly whipped her head away. Just then, the light from the torch vanished out of the blue, plunging them into complete darkness. âOh no! Donât tell me the torch is out of batteries!â she yelped, pouncing into Jasperâs arms.
âThey probably forgot to charge it.â He wrapped her in his embrace cooperatively as she buried herself in his arms, terrified to be trapped in an ancient tomb without any light. Although Willow was clinging onto him, she continued to burrow herself into his embrace. as if trying to mold their bodies into one.
âDonât be scared. Itâs safe here.â Jasper lowered his head to look at her. At the same time, Willow raised her head, and the distance between their faces minimized.
The two froze for a few seconds, and she could feel his lips at the corner of hers. However, as if struck by lightning, they quickly turned their heads away from each other. âJasper, I have something to ask you.â Willowâs voice rang sweetly.
âWhat is it?â
âHave you kissed other girls before?â she asked, extremely curious.
âYouâre the first.â Her melodious and smug laugh gently broke the silence. âReally? You arenât pulling my leg, are you?â
âI never lie.â âAll right! I believe you, but I have something to tell you. You just stole my first kiss.
However, since it was your first time too, I wonât hold you to it.â Just then, a loud call was heard nearby.
âMiss Presgrave, where are you?â
âMr. Wyatt, Miss Presgrave, where are you?â Willow was overjoyed at the sound of the voices. âThey found us!â Then, she rose to her feet and began to yell toward the opening. âWeâre here! Come and save us!â
As expected, she soon heard the voice reply, âDid you hear that? Itâs Miss Presgraveâs voice. Hurry, theyâre right up ahead!â Soon after, they discovered the entrance to the cave, basked in the moonlight, and they asked probingly, âMiss Presgrave, are you down there?â âYes, we fell. Be careful, though! The ground in this area is slippery. Donât fall in.â
âAll right. Weâll call the captain and the others over.â Not long later, Winston returned with the bodyguards, and Johanna called out urgently from above, âMiss Presgrave, are you hurt?â
âJohanna, Iâm fine. Iâm not hurt.â The bodyguards made quick work of the ropes, and once they were secured, Willow was hoisted out of the cave, immediately followed by Jasper. âThereâs an ancient tomb below. Letâs go back and get some rest, and we can explore tomorrow morning,â she suggested.
âThatâs great. We might even find the clues we were looking for,â Winston exclaimed as they headed down the mountain. Traipsing down the path illuminated by the moon, Willow suddenly felt a gush of warmth in her heart. She turned around and looked at the man trailing behind her, her lips uncontrollably curling upward into a smile. Although she had a fright, she did not return empty-handed either.
After returning to the ship, Willow and Jasper took a hot shower to thoroughly clean themselves off before returning to their tent to retire for the night. However, he did not enter. Just as she was growing confused, he yanked the zipper open and said, âIâll keep watch. You can just sleep.â
âAll right!â She agreed obediently. Exhausted from the long ordeal, she succumbed to slumber in no time. Early the next morning, the team headed up the mountain to investigate the tombs. With the equipment they had prepared, it was not even afternoon before they unearthed a coffin. As it was made from cedar, it was surprisingly in pristine condition, unaffected by the passage of time.