Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

45. Missed me?

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A procession of sleek, black vehicles raced in single-file formation. At the wheel of the lead car was Minghao, with the rest of the team following closely behind.

To his right, Nabi exuded the intoxicating scent of his cologne, which seemed to linger in her every breath. The palpable tension between them was impossible to ignore, rendering it difficult for either of them to meet the other's gaze.

Minghao's full attention remained on the road ahead, his fingers gripping the steering wheel while his other hand rested lightly on the headrest, creating an aura of effortless control. The soft, ambient glow of the AMG's led lights added to the atmosphere, casting an enchanting spell, especially as the night wrapped around them.

As the car came to a halt at a red traffic light, Minghao finally gave in to temptation and shifted his gaze toward Nabi. She stared out the window, her hair cascading delicately over her shoulders, while her vivid crimson lips remained a striking contrast against the darkening surroundings. The only sources of illumination were the traffic light's fiery red glow and the car's leds, which bathed them in a seductive crimson tone.

It was as though Minghao had fallen in love with the color red, for everything surrounding him in that moment was bored in its passionate embrace: her crimson dress, her scarlet lips, the fiery tone of the traffic lights, and even the car's leds. The intensity of it all threatened to drive him to the brink of madness.

However, Nabi abruptly snapped him out of his reverie by turning toward him, locking eyes with him. It was the green traffic light that had already beckoned them to proceed, yet Minghao's car remained motionless, a result of his engrossing stare that had been discovered.

Blinking rapidly, he averted his gaze and slammed his foot on the accelerator without a moment's hesitation, eager to escape the embarrassment of being caught in the act of staring by Nabi.

Nabi couldn't help but let out a small, understanding smile as she noticed Minghao's hasty gesture. Yet, a faint shadow of embarrassment still loomed between them. The cause? Ginger, who had inadvertently given Minghao an unexpected view of her panties hours ago.

Clearing his throat, Minghao initiates the conversation, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "You look stunning tonight," he remarks.

Nabi, her smile brightening, gazes down at her lap, fingers lightly intertwining as she grapples with her emotions before responding softly, "Thank you."

Casting her a brief but intense look, he continues, his earlier playful tone shifting to a profound seriousness, "Tonight, make sure you stay close to me."

"Whatever you need, just let me know, and it will be taken care of. I understand that you and Lia don't get along, but she'll be there too. If there's anything you need that I, as a man, can't assist with, she'll be available," he continued, his solemnity casting a momentary shadow of unease over Nabi.

Nabi shifts her gaze to him, a perplexed expression knitting her brows. "Are we heading to an event or a mafia gathering?" she asked.

"Nabi, I'm dead serious. Stay right by my side and don't even consider anything else," he asserts, his tone now dominant and commanding. "I assume the idea of escaping has completely left your mind," he adds.

Nabi let out a sigh. Ever since she found that her father was after her, the idea of escaping from Minghao had never crossed her mind again.

"I will stay close," she affirmed. "But are there any hidden dangers I should be aware of, something I might not know about?" She directed her question at Minghao, who continued to steal brief glances at her as he drove.