When he looked up, Linsey’s ears and neck were flushed a deep shade of red. Her head was turned away, eyes shut tight, and her lashes quivered ever so slightly.
Collin’s lips curled into an amused smirk. “Linsey,” he called, his voice rich with amusement.
“Huh?” She startled, her eyes snapping open-only to realize he was already dressed.
Just as she was about to regain her composure, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and tugged her forward.
She barely had time to gasp before she stumbled straight into him. Her hand braced against the back of his wheelchair, steadying herself as the space between them almost disappeared.
Before she could recover, Collin leaned in, his voice dipping into a low, teasing murmur.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you wanted to see me try it on?” His breath tickled her ear. “If you really want a better look, you should get a little closer, don’t you think?”
The warmth of Collin’s breath against the sensitive skin behind Linsey’s ear sent a shiver down her spine. It was barely there-just a whisper of heat-but it coiled through her like an electric current, leaving a tingling trail in its wake.
Her heart pounded wildly, each beat heavy and insistent, making her throat feel unbearably tight and dry.
Then, as if struck by a sudden jolt, Linsey’s eyes widened in alarm. A rush of instinct took over, and she pulled back from Collin’s broad frame, her breath hitching as she stared at him in disbelief.
His disability limited his movements, yet the way he held himself-the quiet control in his presence-made it clear that if he wanted to, he could still dominate the space between them.
The realization sent another shiver through her, a mixture of awe and unease. Lowering her head quickly, she refused to meet his gaze, afraid of what she might find there.
Collin’s eyes never left her, studying every flicker of emotion on her face with an intensity that made her heart race. His lips curved into a slow, teasing smile, and his gaze darkened with a mischievous gleam.
“Why do you look at me like that?” he asked, his voice smooth. “Do I look like a monster to you?”
His words, exaggerated as they were, made Linsey flinch instinctively. She shook her head quickly, eager to distance him from such a harsh image. “No,” she said firmly.
She hesitated for a moment, her lips parting as if to say more. “It’s just that… you suddenly pulled me close like that. We were so close, and… I’m not used to it.”
Collin’s gaze softened, and his voice lowered, quiet and sincere. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Linsey’s instinct was to shake her head, to brush off the moment. But before she could, Collin let out a light chuckle and, with casual ease, added, “But we’re married now, officially. You’ll have to get used to this kind of closeness, don’t you think?”
His words were gentle but carried a weight, as if suggesting something more-something inevitable.
Instead, Collin’s voice softened again as he continued, “Take a look-do you think this outfit suits me?”
Linsey hesitated for a moment, but then her gaze lifted, meeting his eyes as he sat before her, dressed in the new clothes. The moment she saw him, admiration flashed across her face. She had spent what felt like hours picking out this outfit, wondering if it would work. But seeing him in it now… the difference was striking. The clothes were a departure from his usual style, but they fit him perfectly, like they had been made just for him.
The casual style made Collin seem more approachable, more… human, if that made sense.
Collin shifted slightly, watching her closely.
“Why are you quiet? Does it not look good?” He adjusted the collar of his shirt, as if unsure of himself.
Linsey couldn’t help but smile, her voice full of sincerity as she said, “No, it looks amazing on you!”
A proud smile tugged at the corner of Linsey’s lips. “Looks like my taste is spot on.”
Collin couldn’t suppress a chuckle, surprised by how quickly her mood had shifted-from shy and flustered to confidently praising herself. “Indeed, you have great taste.” His voice softened, his eyes tracing her every movement. After a moment of thought, he raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “How did you know my size?”
The outfit Linsey had picked out fit him perfectly, no need for any adjustments.
Linsey’s smile widened, her tone turning playful as her confidence grew. “I studied fashion design. I’m very familiar with clothing sizes.”
Collin blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “You studied fashion design?” he asked, genuinely surprised.
Linsey had been about to explain that she didn’t just study fashion design but also worked at the company where Collin still owed a massive sum of money.
Before she could say a word, Collin’s phone beeped with a new message.
Without missing a beat, Linsey fell silent, her eyes on him as he gave her a quick glance before reaching for his phone.
As Collin read the message, the easy expression on his face shifted, his brows knitting together in sudden concern.
“I have to go out to handle something. Why don’t you have dinner and turn in early for the night?” Collin said after reading the message. Linsey was caught off guard. “But it’s already so late.”
She hesitated, her gaze drifting toward his wheelchair. “Where are you going? Let me come with you.”
Collin put his phone away and rejected the offer without a second thought. “That won’t be necessary. I won’t be long.”
He then recalled how Linsey had waited up for him last night and added, “Just finish what you need to do and get some rest. There’s no reason to stay up for me.”
With that, he swiftly wheeled himself out of the study.
She remained frozen in place, watching as he disappeared through the doorway, a deep sense of sympathy washing over her.
It had only been a few days since she moved into Vista Villa, and in that short time, Collin had been drowning in work, barely taking a moment to breathe.
He was confined to a wheelchair, and the butler had mentioned his stomach problems. If he kept pushing himself like this, his body would eventually give out.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she turned and slowly made her way out of the study. Just then, the distant hum of an engine reached her ears-Collin’s car was pulling out of the villa.
A flicker of doubt crept into her mind.
Despite supposedly owing CR Corporation a staggering 100 million dollars, Collin never showed the slightest trace of unease.
Anyone else in his position would be drowning in anxiety, yet he acted like it was nothing.
The more she thought about it, the more she found herself linking Collin to the elusive founder of CR Corporation.
If her suspicion was correct, then everything clicked into place. Still, she couldn’t quite grasp why Collin insisted on keeping his true abilities hidden. Could this, too, be tied to the Riley family? The thought made her pause. No-she shouldn’t go down that road.
No matter what, Collin was her husband. Whatever he chose to do, he must have his reasons. Her only role was to trust him and not meddle in his plans.
She believed that one day, he would tell her everything himself.
Meanwhile, Collin arrived at the bar mentioned in the message and immediately spotted Dustin, who was already a little drunk.
“Hey, you finally showed up! Come on, have a drink with me!” Dustin greeted him the moment he saw him, raising his glass in invitation.
Collin’s expression darkened, his tone edged with frustration. “So, the urgent matter you mentioned was just to drag me here for a drink?”
Dustin, unbothered, scoffed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Yeah, so what? I’m in a bad mood. As my best friend, can’t you at least drink with me?”
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.