Chapter 26 Kissing the Fragrance

As I walked down the corridor leading to the locker room, I could almost sense the lingering fragrance of a woman. I knew this scent belonged exclusively to Avril, for she was the only person in this world whose aroma was so remarkably unique. The scent about her felt just like the scent of victory.

Avril held an almost privileged status within the Warriors; she was practically free to enter and exit the team's locker room as she pleased.

"Mind if I come in? I need to check out your locker!" Avril grinned and flashed a smile at Lin Fei.

"Ha-ha, why? Want to come to our locker room to celebrate?" Lin Fei seemed quite excited, then turned and shouted loudly to his teammates, "Hey! Guys, our gorgeous beauty wants to admire your well-built muscles. What do you say, can she?"

"Oh! A warm welcome to Her Royal Highness!" Cairns was the first to offer an enthusiastic greeting, and the rest of the teammates immediately joined in the shouting and cheering.

Upon entering the locker room, someone had thoughtfully prepared champagne—perhaps they had kept it on ice for a while, just waiting to break it out today.

The champagne foam sprayed and filled the entire locker room, making it look much more like a lively bar!

"Hey! When are you guys finally opening that champagne?" Someone started teasing Lin Fei. Americans were remarkably casual! Before I even felt like we had progressed to that stage, my teammates were already asking him how many times a night we would go at it.

"Oh! I think it'll take us a whole year to settle that!" Avril's voice rang out loud and clear. I didn't even know what to say in response and could only offer a weak smile.

In truth, I felt somewhat puzzled. Many players of his age had already been living with their girlfriends for several years and even had a couple of kids together, yet they remained unmarried. From the perspective of Chinese cultural values, this was quite difficult to grasp. Similarly, Avril's words left my mind thoroughly tangled.

After the two of us took some time to wind down in the locker room, I hummed a cheerful little tune on my way to the garage, ready to drive home!

"Would you like to come to my hotel?" Avril looked at me with deep affection, and her sudden question nearly stunned me into silence.

"Oh! Oh! I think it's much more convenient for me to just go home!" It was as if Lin Fei had been struck by lightning; only then did he snap back to his senses and blurt out those words.

"Oh!" Avril responded with that signature little tongue-poking gesture of hers. I could clearly catch a fleeting trace of disappointment in her eyes as she made the movement.

I truly had no idea just how immense the temptation was that I had resisted at that exact moment. As a man, I figured I might just be the only person in the entire world capable of turning her down, for she was simply too breathtaking. With her graceful figure, profound and captivating eyes, angel-like face, and golden hair, I could scarcely imagine what kind of biological marvel could possibly surpass the woman standing right before me.

"Oh!" Avril's face suddenly flushed red, appearing somewhat stirred. I knew very well what was going on in my heart!

"Can I get a farewell?" Avril stretched out her arms, signaling for a hug. To be honest, I felt a little lost and caught off guard. Even so, I stepped forward, completely unaware of what had gotten into Avril today.

As I held Avril in an embrace, I could feel how delicately sweet her natural scent truly was.

I could sense the searing heat of her lips and deeply experience her gentle, warm breath. Unable to help myself, I pulled Avril into a tight embrace. In fact, I had already begun to feel a twinge of regret over the words I had uttered just moments before. Avril's tongue softly slipped past my lips, drawing me deeper and deeper into an intoxicating daze.

Avril's height might have been slightly less than mine, but with the heels she wore, combined with Lin Fei slightly lowering his head, our heights aligned perfectly as a couple—a truly matching pair.

I had no idea how long we remained locked in that kiss; it felt utterly sublime.

The moment she first reached out to touch me, I had indeed considered refusing, but given the primal impulse of a man, I simply couldn't endure holding back. I knew that Avril might even be starting to wonder whether I was truly a man or not, ha-ha! Yet perhaps my mind was still dwelling on someone else; even while my lips were pressed against Avril's, I found myself thinking of that other person, as if that presence could never be erased.

All the way home, I remained completely lost in that intoxicating reverie. Never before in my life had I felt so intimately close to a young woman, and I genuinely wondered—though I couldn't be certain—if I had actually fallen for her. It was strange: when I was on the basketball court, I always knew precisely what I wanted to do, executing every play with absolute decisiveness; yet in ordinary life, I seemed utterly lacking in initiative. If Avril hadn't taken the first step to approach me, I would still be driving home all alone tonight.

This was perhaps the most extraordinary gift I had received after leading the Warriors to such an astonishing streak of victories, and yet, I was genuinely more than willing to accept a gift like this.

Tomorrow, I would undoubtedly grace the front pages of major newspapers once again. Yet, beneath it all, a strange and inexplicable sensation lingered: I always felt as though I had yet to execute the most flawless game-winner of my life—like an elusive feeling, forever failing to capture that ultimate, perfect sensation.