His breath traced the curve of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine, a delicate blush blooming across her cheeks.
“I just feel like things are moving too fast between us,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
“You do?” Nate raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes, his smile hinting at something deeper.
“Can I take that as a yes?”
Corrine met his gaze, her eyes dancing with mischief as she mirrored his teasing tone.
“Yes and no. After all, I still haven’t seen the full depth of your sincerity.”
“There will be plenty of chances for you to feel it in the future,” Nate promised, his voice smooth and confident.
“Alright then,” Corrine replied, her voice light but with a hidden weight.
“But we need to establish some boundaries. No kissing me out of nowhere, and keep a proper distance…”
At her words, the smile on Nate’s face faltered, his gaze sharpening slightly.
“You can keep testing me, but I won’t accept those so-called boundaries.”
She’d agreed to be with him, yet still insisted on keeping him at arm’s length, refusing affection-how could she expect him to stand for that? Corrine opened her mouth to respond, but the words escaped her.
“Didn’t you say you were hungry?” Nate asked, his voice softening.
“Come on, let’s go downstairs and eat.”
Without another word, he took her hand, gently guiding her toward the door. Corrine glanced down at their intertwined fingers, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, her heart fluttering with uncertainty and excitement.
She knew she was stepping into uncharted territory, trusting him with her heart. From the moment she agreed to be with him, she realized her future was no longer solely her own.
As they ate, the room was quiet, but Nate’s every glance and every movement spoke of an unspoken tenderness, his gaze never straying far from her. Corrine kept her head lowered, focused on her food, but she could feel the weight of his stare, as if he couldn’t bear to look away
She continued eating in silence, feeling full before setting her utensils down. She reached for a napkin to dab at her mouth.
“I’ll have my assistant pick me up this afternoon.”
Nate looked up, his expression shifting to one of concern as he studied her.
“A big part of your health issues comes from irregular eating and sleeping habits.”
“You’ve just recovered. It wouldn’t be wise to dive back into work so soon. Why not stay here and rest a bit longer?”
Corrine shook her head, offering a soft smile.
“I’ll adjust my schedule.” She felt a twinge of discomfort. Staying any longer seemed a little inappropriate.
Nate’s gaze darkened, his voice firm yet gentle.
“I’ll make sure you get to the office tomorrow morning.”
The message was clear-she wasn’t leaving today.
Tanya, who had been quietly observing, seized the moment to speak up.
“Miss Holland, the doctor specifically recommended that you rest well. Mr. Hopkins is concerned about your health.”
Corrine hesitated, torn between her desire to leave and the undeniable care in their eyes. Finally, she gave in, nodding without a word.
A barely noticeable smile flickered on Nate’s lips, his eyes softening as he continued to eat.
After lunch, Nate led Corrine on a stroll through the garden, the vibrant colors of the flowers contrasting with the calm of the afternoon. They eventually settled into the pavilion.
Nate watched her for a moment, his gaze intent and searching.
“Are you afraid of me?”
Corrine shook her head just slightly, her voice soft but steady.
“I think we should maintain a certain distance.”
“Sometimes, bringing a couple closer helps strengthen their bond,” Nate said, rising to his feet with an intent that didn’t escape her.
Before she could react, he was beside her, lifting her effortlessly and settling her in his lap.
The crisp, earthy scent surrounded her, making her feel both exposed and oddly protected. Corrine met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat as she looked into his deep, unreadable eyes.
Flustered, she struggled against him, her voice barely a whisper.
“Nate…” Having been raised with a strong sense of decorum, Corrine’s core beliefs were rooted in conservatism, and she was keenly aware of societal expectations. The closeness…
Between them, the intimacy on display made Corrine feel exposed, her natural sense of modesty protesting the closeness.
“No one will come by at this time,” Nate assured her, his voice low and calming as he gently grasped her slender wrist with one hand and wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer. He playfully pinched her soft side.
“Let me kiss you again, alright?”
Corrine’s cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and irritation bubbling up within her as she lightly swatted his chest.
“Nate!”
Normally composed and measured, Nate’s intensity now bordered on the reckless, something she wasn’t used to.
Had she been misjudging him all along, her past emotions influencing her perceptions?
Corrine furrowed her brow, acutely aware of how close they were, their breaths mingling, the moment hanging on the brink of something undeniable.
“If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as a yes,” Nate said, his voice low, teasing, but with an edge of seriousness.
Before she could react, Nate closed the gap, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. His arm around her tightened, pulling her fully against him. His restraint slipped entirely when it came to her.
His grandfather’s voice echoed in his mind, a warning he had heard all his life-beauty could be as dangerous as a predator, capable of breaking even the strongest will. His grandfather had advised him never to act on such desires, but now, the warning was nothing more than a distant thought, drowned out by the overwhelming need to possess her.
Corrine slowly softened in his arms, her resistance fading as she instinctively responded to him, her mind clouded by the intensity of the kiss.
The air between them thickened, every second drawing her further into him, making it harder to focus.
Then, the sharp trill of a phone ringtone sliced through the tension.
The familiar sound snapped Corrine back to reality. A surge of energy shot through her as she pushed Nate away, hurriedly straightened her clothes, and grabbed her phone.
“You’re not at the office?”
Jayden’s calm, steady voice crackled through the phone, but there was an underlying pressure in his tone that made Corrine feel guilty.
She exhaled slowly, steadying her nerves, and replied with feigned calmness, “Uncle Jayden, I had something unexpected come up.”
Nate, sitting back in the wicker chair, silently observed her, his expression unreadable. His eyes flickered with something-an emotion he quickly masked. He nearly forgot about the other looming issue.
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.