Melissa's face warmed slightly.

His audacity knew no bounds. He had evolved from the serious demeanor of the past, where even teasing held a hint of gravity. Presently, his words consistently left her flustered and bewildered.

An impulse to retract her hand surged within her, yet Marcus thwarted any such attempt.

He not only retained her hand but also guided her in the subtle art of tactile exploration.

She gently touched his nose, moving back and forth. He playfully teased her once more in a soft voice, asking, "Is it high?"

Melissa refused to answer with a subtle shake of her head.

She embraced him tenderly, resting against his shoulder in silence.

Marcus' body exuded a fresh scent, and the distinctive woody fragrance, coupled with his masculine essence, captivated Melissa.

She sensed that her attraction to him was largely influenced by his appearance.

Disregarding his looks was out of the question. No, she couldn't.

A blush crept onto her cheeks.

Marcus' expression softened. He recognized that he had pushed boundaries, yet her newfound shyness and coquettish demeanor stirred a sense of emotion within him.

He gently ran his hand over her shoulder and soothingly expressed, "You'll become accustomed to it."

Boldly, she whispered, “I can't adapt."

She withheld the explanation. It was his sheer handsomeness that unsettled her.

A single glance at him quickened her heartbeat.

Marcus chuckled, affectionately tousling her hair. “Let's take a stroll."

Warsew was a tourist town with a sizable duty-free store featuring numerous sales counters.

The place bustled with people coming and going.

Marcus escorted Melissa into the store. Despite his lack of prior romantic experiences, he understood that many girls enjoyed purchasing skincare products and daily accessories. Recognizing that Melissa wasn't in a good position and hadn't invested in major brands, he had previously gifted her a variety of such items.