Chapter 15 - Not tonight

The Paris trip had been short, but they made every second count. On their last full day, Orm and Lingling wandered through the charming streets, stopping at boutiques, sipping coffee at quaint cafés, and admiring the city's beauty. Paris had a way of making everything feel like a dream, and for Orm, this time with Lingling was exactly that—a dream she never wanted to wake up from.

They strolled along the street, fingers intertwined, the cool breeze carrying the scent of fresh pastries and blooming flowers. Orm sighed, squeezing Lingling's hand gently. "We're going back to Bangkok tomorrow." She glanced at Lingling with a small smile. "But don't think you can get rid of me that easily. I'm still going to see you every day."

Lingling chuckled, shaking her head. "You have work, Orm. A whole company to run."

Orm smirked, swinging their hands slightly. "So? I own the company. I can work whenever I want." She winked playfully.

Lingling gave her a look. "That's not how a responsible CEO talks."

Orm pouted dramatically. "I've spent years being the responsible CEO and now Chairwoman. I think it's time I focus on the love of my life instead."

Lingling's heart stuttered at Orm's words, her steps faltering slightly. She looked up at Orm, who met her gaze with nothing but sincerity, her brown eyes warm and unwavering.

"Let's get back to the hotel?" Orm asked, her voice softer now.

Lingling, still flustered, nodded.

Back in their suite, Orm immediately shrugged off her coat and walked over to the room service menu, skimming through the options. "You hungry, baby?"

The second the word slipped out, she froze.

Lingling, standing by the couch, raised an eyebrow. "Baby?"

Orm's face flushed instantly. "I—I meant Ling! You heard wrong." She cleared her throat, refusing to make eye contact. "Just tell me what you want to eat."

Lingling smirked, crossing her arms. "Baby huh."

Orm groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ling, please."

Lingling chuckled. "Fine. Order whatever you want."

Orm quickly dialed room service, listing off their usual late-night cravings. As she hung up, she suddenly felt warmth against her back—Lingling's arms wrapping securely around her waist.

Orm stiffened slightly. "Ling?"

Lingling leaned her forehead against Orm's shoulder, closing her eyes. "Just let me stay like this for a minute."

Orm's heart pounded against her ribs. She swallowed, then slowly rested a hand over Lingling's, intertwining their fingers.

She smiled softly. "I won't complain."

Orm faced Lingling, cupping her face gently as if she were memorizing every detail. She traced her thumb over Lingling's cheek, eyes filled with something deep—something Lingling wasn't sure she was ready to name.

"I missed this face," Orm whispered. "Smiling."

Lingling felt warmth spread through her chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but Orm's gaze had already dropped to her lips.

"I really want to kiss you right now," Orm admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lingling's breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her ribs. She whispered back, "Kiss me."

For a moment, Orm hesitated as if making sure this was real. Then, slowly, she leaned in, brushing her lips against Lingling's in a soft, lingering kiss.

Lingling sighed into the kiss, her arms instinctively wrapping around Orm's neck. Orm's hands slid down to Lingling's waist, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. It wasn't just passion—it was years of longing, of unspoken words, of emotions they had both kept locked away.

Orm tilted her head, her lips moving with more urgency, as if she wanted to make up for all the lost time. Lingling responded just as eagerly, fingers gripping Orm's shoulders, feeling the heat between them intensify.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, breathless.

Orm chuckled softly. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

Lingling, still catching her breath, smirked. "I might have an idea."

Orm grinned, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Lingling's ear. "I don't want this to end."

Lingling bit her lip, looking into Orm's eyes. "Then don't let it."

Orm kissed her again, sealing the unspoken promise between them.

Orm kissed Lingling passionately, her hands gently holding Lingling's face as if afraid to let go. She deepened the kiss, pulling Lingling closer, her fingers threading through Lingling's hair. The kiss was slow and deliberate, every movement full of longing as if they were both trying to make up for lost time.

Lingling responded, her hands slipping around Orm's waist, pulling her even closer, matching Orm's intensity. The room seemed to disappear around them, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, caught in the warmth of the kiss.

But then, as things began to heat up, the sharp ring of the doorbell interrupted them.

Orm groaned against Lingling's lips, reluctantly pulling back. "Seriously?" she muttered, her face flushed with frustration.

Lingling laughed, still holding onto Orm. "I guess our food's here."

Orm frowned, but after a moment's hesitation, she stood up, smoothing her clothes. "This is a crime," she said with a playful pout, heading for the door.

Lingling smirked, her heart still racing from the kiss. "You can punish me later."

Orm opened the door to the room service staff, accepting the food with a sigh. She quickly set the trays down before turning back to Lingling, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Once we're done with this," she began, "I'm not letting you off so easy."

Lingling raised an eyebrow as she moved toward the table. "Promises, promises."

Orm grinned, her eyes filled with determination. "You won't be disappointed."

As they sat down to eat, the tension between them was palpable. But both knew that this was just a pause, not the end. They had all night ahead of them.

________

Lingling noticed Orm eating too fast. "Uhm, you might wanna slow down and chew your food, Orm."

Orm, with her mouth full, mumbled, "I am. Just in a hurry."

Lingling raised an eyebrow, confused. "Why?"

Orm swallowed quickly and smirked. "We need to finish what we started."

Lingling burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Oh god, Orm."

Orm chuckled, wiping her mouth. "Hey, you started it," she teased.

Lingling, still giggling, took a deep breath. "You're crazy."

Orm winked, her playful smile never leaving her face. "I know."

Orm sat beside Lingling, leaning in with a playful smirk. "Are you done yet?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Lingling chuckled, shaking her head. "Orm, stop it."

"What?" Orm grinned innocently. She placed a soft kiss on Lingling's shoulder. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this. Five years, Ling. Five. Long. Years." She dramatically sighed, placing a hand on her chest.

Lingling put down her utensils and looked at Orm seriously. "Oh yeah? And whose fault is that?"

Orm blinked, her teasing expression vanishing.

"You left, Orm. Without a word," Lingling continued, her voice calm but firm. "I deserved an explanation. But you just... disappeared."

Orm swallowed, looking down at her hands. "I know," she whispered. "And I hated myself for it every single day." She exhaled deeply before meeting Lingling's gaze. "I was scared. I thought I was doing what was best for you. I was an idiot."

Lingling studied her for a moment, searching for any trace of dishonesty, but all she saw was raw sincerity.

"I'm not asking you to forget what I did," Orm continued. "I want to prove to you that I won't make the same mistake again."

Then, after a moment, Orm smirked, breaking the tension. "But... does this mean I can at least kiss you now?"

Lingling rolled her eyes. "You're unbelievable."

Orm grinned. "Please?"

Lingling shook her head with a chuckle. "Just shut up and come here."

Orm didn't need to be told twice.

Orm didn't waste a second. She pulled Lingling into another deep kiss, her hands tightening around her waist. The heat between them was undeniable, years of longing culminating in this very moment.

Without breaking the kiss, Orm gently assisted Lingling to stand, guiding her towards the bedroom. Lingling's heart pounded, her breath shaky, but she followed, her fingers gripping Orm's arm.

As they stepped into Orm's room, Orm kicked the door shut behind them. The dim lighting cast a warm glow, making everything feel even more intimate. She cupped Lingling's face, gazing into her eyes as if committing every detail to memory.

"I miss you," Orm whispered before pressing another lingering kiss on Lingling's lips.

Lingling responded, deepening the kiss, her fingers threading through Orm's hair. Orm moved slowly, trailing soft kisses down Lingling's jaw, then to the sensitive spot on her neck, making her shiver.

Orm's hands skimmed over Lingling's back, sliding beneath her shirt. But then she paused, her breath uneven. She pulled back slightly, searching Lingling's eyes for permission.

Lingling exhaled, then guided Orm's hands further up, silently giving her answer. Orm let out a shaky breath, her forehead resting against Lingling's for a brief moment before she kissed her again—this time softer, more reverent.

Orm's fingers brushed against her bare skin, Lingling gasped, pulling Orm closer, wanting to drown in this moment.

But just when the tension reached its peak, Orm suddenly stopped. She pressed her lips to Lingling's forehead, breathing heavily.

"I want this," Orm murmured. "But not like this. Not in a rush. I'm sorry for leading you in to this."

Lingling, still breathless, looked at her with a mix of confusion and admiration.

Orm smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind Lingling's ear. "Let me love you the right way, Ling."

Lingling's heart swelled. She cupped Orm's cheek and nodded. "Then stay with me tonight. Just hold me."

Orm grinned, pulling Lingling into a warm embrace. "That, I can do."

They lay together, limbs tangled, hearts finally at peace.