The reason Megan had scheduled the meeting for the next morning instead of that night was simple — she hadn't slept properly for the past two days and wasn't in her best shape.
As someone who prided herself on charm and finesse, Megan understood perfectly well how much appearances mattered. Especially when dealing with a man like Jason Carter — the kind of man who had no shortage of beautiful women around him.
Even though she was impatient to step back under Jason's dazzling light, she reminded herself to be strategic. "Sleep now, shine tomorrow," she thought. That night, she returned home early, took a long shower, and made sure to get a full night's rest.
The next morning, just after dawn, Megan arrived at the campus gates. The air was crisp, and sunlight was beginning to spill over the skyline.
After waiting for a few minutes, a sleek black Mercedes-Maybach S680 pulled up in front of her. The tinted rear window slid down, revealing Jason Carter's familiar face.
Seeing that Jason had switched to another luxury car, Megan wasn't surprised at all. She simply smiled — a soft, practiced, yet genuine smile — and walked forward.
She wore a light pink dress with a white wool coat draped over it, a simple scarf around her neck, and her long hair fell naturally down her shoulders. Her makeup was minimal, enhancing a fresh, pure look that made her seem effortlessly beautiful. Her nails were unpainted, only polished, their natural pink hue adding to her understated charm.
Purity and allure coexisted in her — nothing revealing, yet captivating enough to draw the eye without trying.
She opened the door and slid into the car, giving a polite smile."Sorry, Jason. I know I said I'd handle the arrangements, but it looks like I'll still need to ride in your car," she said lightly.
The Maybach's backseat was spacious, but Megan chose to sit close enough for faint contact — not too intimate, not too distant. The perfect balance.
Jason glanced at her and smiled."What's wrong with that? You don't have a car anyway. I'll provide the wheels, and you decide where to go. Just tell the driver."
Megan grinned and leaned forward slightly."Alright then. Let's head to Sunny's Café by Willow Lake. Their breakfast sandwiches are amazing, and the view's great. We can eat while watching the sunrise."
Jason nodded with an easy smile. He'd been mentally drained from managing his latest business moves, and Megan's relaxed tone felt refreshing. As he'd once said, as long as he didn't take this clever woman too seriously, she could provide something valuable — a touch of warmth and emotional ease.
Now that she was even arranging the itinerary, he found himself content to let her lead.
Megan didn't bring up Holly or any of the other women around Jason. Instead, her sparkling eyes studied his hair and outfit."I haven't seen you for a while, Jason. Your style's getting sharper every time," she said, her voice carrying just the right mix of admiration and playfulness.
She leaned in slightly, adjusting his collar with gentle fingers — considerate, natural, and intimate without crossing a line.
Jason chuckled. "Well, I learn from the best. You've always had great taste, Megan."
She shot him a mock glare, her lips curving into a teasing smile."Stop it. You haven't been this smooth in a while."
Their light conversation filled the car as it cruised through the quiet morning streets. The warmth between them was subtle but unmistakable.
Soon, they reached Sunny's Café by Willow Lake. Megan turned to him and said,"Wait here for a sec — I'll grab the food."
She jogged toward the café, her movements brisk and graceful, the hem of her pink dress fluttering in the wind. After a short wait in line, she returned with two paper bags filled with breakfast sandwiches, donuts, and hot coffee.
"Let's go sit by the lakeside gazebo," she said cheerfully, pointing to a small wooden structure overlooking the water.
Jason followed her gaze — the lake shimmered under the soft gold of the sunrise. For a moment, he stopped thinking about business, about the women, about everything else.
He couldn't quite tell what Megan was playing at — maybe nothing at all. Maybe she really just wanted to enjoy the morning with him.
Either way, it didn't matter.
A quiet breakfast by the lake, a beautiful woman by his side — simple, pleasant, and strangely peaceful.
The two of them walked together along the path near Lake Lorne, the morning crowd crossing the street around them. Megan instinctively reached out and grabbed the corner of Jason's coat.
It was such a small gesture — not clingy, not calculated — yet it hit Jason in a place he hadn't expected. That subtle feeling of being relied on, of being the one someone trusted to lead the way, made him feel quietly masculine.
They reached the gazebo soon after. It was tucked in the middle of a grove of golden maple trees, the ground blanketed with fallen leaves that looked like a carpet of gold. Ahead, the path stretched straight between rows of trees glowing under the sunlight. To one side shimmered the lake, reflecting the soft orange morning sky.
Megan sat down on one of the benches inside the gazebo and opened the paper bag she'd brought. She poked a straw into a cup of warm coffee and handed it to Jason.
"Here," she said lightly.
She didn't act shy or reserved. Instead, she took a seat beside him and started eating her breakfast — a croissant and some egg tarts — her cheeks puffing out slightly as she chewed. There was something almost disarmingly natural about her.
Just then, the sun peeked over the horizon, spilling its soft light across the lake. A single beam fell through the maple leaves and lit up her face.
Jason glanced at her, the coffee warming his hands, the crisp scent of morning air mixing with the buttery smell of pastry. For a brief moment, everything felt… right.
After breakfast, the sun had climbed higher — a perfect red circle above the water. They rested for a while, then started walking down Maple Avenue, where the sunlight filtered through the leaves like a thousand golden threads.
A breeze stirred, and more leaves fluttered down like snow. The air had a bite to it.
Megan gave a little shiver, smiling softly as she moved behind Jason, using him as a shield against the wind. She leaned just enough to make it feel natural — playful, but intimate.
He glanced back at her and almost laughed. Somehow, she managed to make even hiding from the cold seem elegant.
They followed the path until it opened up to the lake's pier. Megan booked a small rowboat, and Jason stepped in first.
She hesitated at the edge of the dock for a moment — maybe for effect, maybe not — and Jason instinctively reached out a hand.
She took it without hesitation. Her palm was soft, almost cool to the touch. When she stepped aboard, her fingers brushed against his, leaving behind the faintest, fleeting sensation — gone as quickly as it came.
By the time they came back ashore, the sun was high. They found a restaurant by the lake, its interior cozy and softly lit. The heating hummed quietly in the private booth.
Megan took off her white coat and scarf, revealing a fitted cream-colored dress. The neckline wasn't revealing, but the gentle curve of her collarbones and a hint of pale skin drew the eye naturally.
She ordered modestly — a few light dishes, a salad, and a small plate of butter-garlic shrimp.
"It's better not to eat too much seafood," she said with a soft smile. "Just enough to enjoy. Junior, you don't need to get your hands dirty. I'll peel them for you."
She slipped on a pair of transparent gloves and started peeling the shrimp deftly. As she leaned forward to place one on Jason's plate, her hair fell forward, brushing across her cheeks.
Her hands, now covered in sauce, couldn't fix it. She looked at him helplessly.
"Junior," she said with a half-smile, "can you help me brush my hair back?"
Jason chuckled, setting down his chopsticks. He reached out, brushing her hair gently behind her ear. It was smooth and soft — freshly washed — and as he did, her neck was revealed, slender and white under the warm indoor light.
For a second, he forgot to breathe.
"Junior, what are you staring at?" Megan teased, her voice playful, eyes glimmering. Before he could answer, she slipped the shrimp between his lips.
Jason chewed, smirking. "I was helping you brush your hair. Should I have done it with my eyes closed? I might've touched something I shouldn't have."
Megan laughed quietly. "Then, Junior, please help me brush the other side too."
He did — and when one strand clung to her neck, he traced it lightly with his fingers to brush it away. Her skin was warm against his touch.
Megan's cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't pull back. In fact, she tilted her head slightly, making it easier for him.
Then she peeled another shrimp — not eating it herself, not even setting it on his plate. She just lifted it up again, offering it straight to him with that same sweet, knowing smile.
Jason took it, watching her the whole time. The space between them seemed to grow smaller, the air thicker.
Senior really came prepared today, he thought, half amused, half impressed. Charm level: maxed out.
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