As she turned to walk away, Nate quickly followed, trying to keep up.
“Let me go!” Corrine protested fiercely. Nate’s embrace was a mix of tenderness and insistence as he drew her closer.
“Just listen to me first.”
“We have nothing left to discuss!” Corrine snapped back, her voice filled with anger.
She had come as an unexpected twist in his life. But if that was true, what was the purpose of his recent pursuit? What were those dinners about? And the roses by her bedside-what were they supposed to mean?
“You were the last person I expected to meet, yet here you are. Falling for you was never in my plans, yet here I am, hopelessly drawn to you. To me, that’s what makes it an unexpected twist,” Nate explained, his tone soft.
“Your worries are clear to me, and I can feel the tenderness of your soul. Don’t feel pressured to reciprocate my feelings. I’m here, ready to wait as long as it takes for you to let me in. I know you’re the one I want by my side forever.” His voice grew softer, as calming as a gentle spring breeze and as soothing as flowing water, sending Corrine’s heart into a flutter once again.
Looking up, she saw Nate’s confident smile.
She hesitated, then murmured with a soft tug, “It’s late. I should go home.”
“Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
As they made their way across the street, Nate subtly pulled her closer by the waist. Corrine glanced at him with raised eyebrows.
She couldn’t deny it-Nate had a knack for testing boundaries. How much longer could her heart resist?
In the car, Nate’s gaze rested steadily on Corrine. However, Corrine seemed oblivious. Her head was bent as she scrolled through her phone, occasionally tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Shall we have lunch together tomorrow?” Nate asked, his voice breaking the quiet.
Corrine paused, considering, before offering an apologetic reply.
“I have something very important to take care of tomorrow.”
Nate’s expression shifted subtly, the realization dawning-she intended to attend the bidding event in the southern district of the city herself.
“Then… another day?” he asked, his brows knitting slightly as he studied her. Corrine gave a small nod.
“Sure.”
Before she could complete her sentence, the car jolted to a sudden, violent stop. The abrupt motion sent Corrine forward, but Nate’s arm shot out, wrapping securely around her waist and pulling her firmly into his embrace. His arm stayed around her waist, enveloping her in the earthy warmth of his cologne.
Her head pressed against Nate’s chest, where she could hear the steady, reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat.
“Are you okay?” Nate’s deep, smooth voice resonated above her, filled with concern.
Corrine nodded lightly.
“I’m okay.”
As she shifted to pull away, a sharp tug on her scalp made her pause.
“Don’t move,” Nate murmured, his gaze softening as he glanced down at her nestled in his arms.
Her fluffy hair spilled over his arm, framing her delicate features and revealing the elegant curve of her neck. Her smooth, porcelain-like skin seemed to glow, its delicate appearance tempting his touch. His dark eyes deepened, and his throat tightened with unspoken emotion.
“Your hair got caught on my button,” he explained, his long fingers working carefully to free the tangled strands
He leaned in closer, and his warm breath grazed her neck, sending a subtle shiver coursing through her. Her ears burned as a flush crept up her neck, and her fingers curled slightly.
“Is it done?” she asked.
“It’s quite tangled,” Nate replied calmly, his voice deliberate.
“This takes patience-rushing won’t help.”
Something about his tone made Corrine pause. Was it just her imagination, or was he enjoying this?
After what felt like an eternity, Nate’s fingers finally disentangled her hair.
“There, all done.”
Having stayed in the same position for so long, Corrine’s waist gave out slightly, and she stumbled back-straight into his arms. Nate didn’t hesitate. His arm tightened around her shoulders, holding her securely. Her forehead pressed against his chest, and the warmth of his body flooded her senses.
The unexpected closeness made Corrine’s eyes widen. Flustered, she stammered, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“I know.” His gaze held hers, steady and intent. Slowly, his fingertips brushed against her cheek, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.
The intimacy of their position was overwhelming. Every instinct told Corrine to pull away, yet Nate’s arm around her waist kept her rooted in place. When her eyes finally lifted to meet his, her breath hitched. There was a spark in his gaze, a fiery intensity that made her pulse quicken.
“You have no idea how much you tempt me,” Nate murmured, his voice low and magnetic. His eyes lingered on her lips, dark and full of longing, as he leaned closer.
The faint scent of him surrounded her, earthy and warm, making her fingers clench against his chest. Her lashes quivered, betraying her nerves, and she whispered softly, almost breathlessly, “Nate…”
Nate’s warm breath ghosted over Corrine’s skin, his lips brushing her cheek with featherlight precision before his head nestled into the delicate curve of her neck. His movements were both restrained and charged with intensity, each gesture steeped in fervent desire. His arms tightened around her, drawing her closer as if she might slip away at any moment.
“Nate, you’re hurting me,” Corrine protested, shifting uneasily against his hold. A low chuckle rumbled in Nate’s chest, his breath grazing her ear in a way that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
“Corrine, don’t make me wait too long.” His voice was smooth and rich, laced with a subtle hint of a smile that was undeniably captivating.
In a heartbeat, her breath faltered, and her composure unraveled in the face of his undeniable magnetism.
The sudden jolt of the car stopping broke the moment. Flustered, she pushed him away with trembling hands and stumbled out, as if seeking refuge from his overwhelming presence.
Nate’s gaze followed her hurried retreat, a wry smile curving his lips-dangerously charming, yet tinged with mischief. He rubbed his fingers as though savoring the memory of her touch, a reminder of the connection he was reluctant to relinquish
Though he prided himself on patience and unwavering control, those virtues seemed to unravel effortlessly in her presence. There was something about her-a pull he couldn’t resist-that made his possessiveness flare with a force he hadn’t anticipated.
For Nate, emotions like affection had always been an unnecessary indulgence, and women were merely fleeting companions. But Corrine had shattered those beliefs. She had unseated his logic, leaving him to grapple with feelings he had never intended to entertain.
Her essence lingered in his mind, and he found himself consumed by curiosity, driven to uncover every nuance of her being. She was a disruption he hadn’t anticipated, a presence that defied his carefully constructed rules.
What began as a fleeting intrigue had deepened into something profound, something that now felt beyond his control. Perhaps she truly was his destined encounter.
Nate unlocked his phone and navigated to Corrine’s chat on WhatsApp. His fingers hovered briefly before typing.
“Goodnight.”
In her room, Corrine had just begun to steady her racing pulse, only for her heart to leap again when Nate’s message appeared. She casually switched her phone to vibrate and set it face down on the table, deliberately avoiding it as she headed to the bathroom.
The warm water embraced her, washing away the day’s exhaustion with its soothing touch. Her hair floated lazily around her shoulders, spreading out like strands of seaweed drifting on the water’s surface.
She leaned against the tub’s edge, her fingers idly swirling the crimson liquid in her wine glass. Nate’s voice lingered in her mind, the words resonating softly yet deeply.
“Corrine, don’t make me wait too long.”
He had claimed to understand her fears, perceiving the delicate layers of her guarded heart. Though their meetings had been brief, she couldn’t deny the profound effect his unwavering yet tender demeanor had left on her.
But could she truly allow him to step into her life? They had known each other for only a few fleeting days, and she knew so little about him. Could he really be worth the risk?
She downed the last sip of wine, letting its warmth spread through her as she rested her head against the tub’s cool surface and closed her eyes.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.