Corrine chuckled softly, her lips curving with a teasing glint in her eye.
“This is your place. Who would stop you from coming in?”
“If you’re not here, what’s the point of me staying?” Nate countered, his tone soft yet filled with unspoken meaning. He kissed the top of her head, his voice low and rich with emotion.
“Before you, I didn’t know what love was. Now, without you, nothing else in this world means anything to me.”
Corrine always steeled herself for Nate’s occasional sweet words, but each time they fell from his lips, they cut through her like an arrow, leaving her vulnerable.
It was as if she wore a shield, yet it couldn’t protect her from his forceful tenderness.
But in this moment, the sting wasn’t from a cold, unfeeling wound-it was from Nate, a man who appeared detached and indifferent on the surface, yet beneath, his heart burned with passion, determination, and a trace of obsession.
Corrine wasn’t a saint, and she wasn’t immune to beauty or sweet words. Everything she adored seemed to converge in the man before her-Nate. How could she resist him, with all his warmth and intensity surrounding her? How could she maintain any semblance of clarity in the face of this overwhelming pull?
She gazed at Nate, her eyes softening with a hint of affection, her lips curving into a playful smile.
“Nate, you’re beyond saving.”
“I’m saved,” Nate murmured, tightening his embrace just enough to draw her closer. Leaning down, his voice low and intimate, he whispered in her ear, “You’re the one who keeps me grounded.”
Corrine paused for a moment, her breath hitching as she gave him a light poke in the chest.
“I have an early meeting tomorrow. I really should get some rest.”
“Then go to sleep.”
What had started as a teasing comment ended with Corrine softly whispering, “Goodnight.” She then settled her head on his arm, drifting peacefully into slumber
The room was filled with the delicate scent of her fragrance-subtle, not overpowering-but it lingered, teasing Nate’s senses, pulling at him in ways he couldn’t ignore.
In the quiet darkness, Nate shook his head in frustration. He never anticipated losing control like this tonight.
His gaze flickered to the peaceful form of Corrine, asleep beside him, her breathing even and serene. With a barely audible sigh, he admired how effortlessly this carefree woman fell into slumber.
Gently, he lifted the blanket and stepped away, leaving the room as quietly as he could. If he didn’t leave now, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could control himself.
Corrine heard the soft shuffle of his footsteps, deliberately muted, and a smile tugged at her lips.
She couldn’t quite make sense of this man-sometimes he was assertive and commanding, but at the most critical moments, he seemed to hold himself back, maintaining that gentlemanly composure.
Just like tonight. If he had truly wanted her, there would have been no way for her to resist. This was his home, after all, and she hadn’t exactly been opposed to the idea.
But he hadn’t pushed further, choosing instead to honor her wishes when it mattered most.
The next morning, Corrine casually selected a chic, cream-colored business suit. The top, paired with a white silk camisole, hugged her figure delicately, while the knee-length pencil skirt added an air of understated allure. As she walked, her long, slender legs commanded attention, every step graceful and deliberate.
“Good morning, Miss Holland,” Tanya greeted her with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling.
“Mr. Hopkins is waiting for you in the dining room.”
Corrine offered a slight nod and made her way to the dining room. At the sound of her footsteps, Nate lowered his phone and lifted his gaze. When his eyes landed on Corrine, they softened, a smile forming in his eyes.
“Let’s eat first,” he said, his voice warm.
“I’ll drive you to the office later.”
“Okay,” Corrine replied, settling into her seat without haste, her gaze drifting over the spread of food before her. As expected, everything laid out was her favorite.
Nate placed a piece of pancake on her plate, his tone casual as he asked, “How about you stay at Celtis Estate for a while?”
Corrine shook her head slightly, her voice light.
“You can’t always protect me.”
“Why can’t I?” Nate shot back, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
Corrine took a bite of the pancake and glanced up at him, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Do you like the idea of an ideal homemaker?”
Nate didn’t hesitate, answering with a firmness that matched the steady rhythm of his voice.
“No, I don’t.”
Corrine’s eyebrows arched slightly as she observed Nate across the table. Rising from his seat, Nate moved to place a bowl of cereal in front of her. He settled back down, his movements slow and deliberate, picking up a napkin to wipe his fingers clean. His deep voice broke the silence, calm yet intense
“I want a woman who can stand by my side. When I succeed, she’ll share in the glory. If I fail, she’ll have the strength to stand tall and rise with me.”
His gaze never wavered from Corrine, filled with a quiet but unwavering determination. He understood her dreams, her ambitions.
Someone as radiant and magnificent as Corrine shouldn’t be hidden away in some ordinary corner-she deserved to shine in the spotlight, the center of everyone’s gaze. His dark eyes burned with an intense, almost possessive desire to claim her, and his words were wrapped in unshakable conviction.
“Corrine, with me, you’ll have the freedom to grow. No more worrying about what others think, no more fearing consequences. Just live for yourself, according to your own heart.”
“Live for yourself, according to your own heart…” Corrine repeated his words in her mind. Those words, when Nate spoke them, seemed to hum with a quiet yet powerful magic, as though the very air around them shifted. Each word landed on her heart with a gentle but undeniable force. Her blood, once still and stagnant, began to surge again, her heart thundering in her chest.
Corrine’s throat went dry as she held his gaze, her mind swirling. Her life, once so barren and lonely, now seemed filled with rich, vibrant hues-colors she never thought she could experience, all because of his presence. A slow, tender smile tugged at the corners of her moist, red lips, her expression lighting up like the sun breaking through a cloudy sky.
“It’s a coincidence. Our thoughts align so perfectly.”
“To be precise, we’re destined for each other,” Nate replied, his voice low and filled with meaning.
They exchanged a smile, their eyes locking, reflecting a universe of unspoken understanding. In that moment, words were unnecessary-they both felt it. The connection. The certainty.
After they finished their meal, Nate dropped Corrine off at her company. She opened the car door and stepped out, but as she glanced back, she saw the car still parked behind her. Taking a deep breath, she returned to him.
“What-“
Before Nate could finish his sentence, Corrine’s lips found his, silencing him completely.
Matias, seated in the driver’s seat, averted his gaze from the unexpected display of affection before him. Following his instinct for discretion, he quietly closed his eyes.
Though Corrine had always carried herself with careful restraint, an overwhelming urge to kiss Nate had coursed through her veins at that moment. Without hesitation, she had surrendered to her heart’s desire.
The remnants of her lipstick now adorned his lips, adding an unexpected touch of warmth to his typically aloof features.
Nate’s eyes held Corrine’s gaze, brimming with unspoken emotion. Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she looked at him, her eyes shimmering with newfound confidence.
“Nate, thank you for standing beside me during my darkest hours.”
The words of gratitude had lingered in her heart for a long time, though she remained uncertain of his thoughts at that precious moment.
“Every time before, you watched me walk away. Today, let me be the one to see you off,” she murmured, her eyes never leaving his face.
Nate’s eyebrow arched slightly as his fingertips traced the corner of his mouth, savoring the lingering sensation of their kiss.
“Are you finding it difficult to bid me farewell?”
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.