Nate tightened his hold around her waist, his voice taking on a playful, seductive edge.
“Darling, are you trying to tempt me by throwing yourself at me first thing in the morning?” His voice, already deep and husky, now had a teasing rasp, a soft tug at her heart that was impossible to resist.
“You were the one being improper.” Corrine glared at him, her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment, trying to pull away and make her escape
“Don’t move!” Nate’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke, his jawline tight, betraying a flicker of restraint that only heightened the tension between them. Corrine felt the shift in his body, her face deepening in crimson. She froze, not daring to make a sound or stir even the slightest bit.
After a long, heavy pause, she finally asked, her voice soft and uncertain, “Are you okay?”
“Corrine, let me remind you… I’m a normal man.” Nate’s gaze darkened as he met her eyes, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch both intimate and careful.
“Don’t worry, I won’t force you.”
His fingers, with their strong, defined joints, slid behind her ear, their caress lingering longer than intended, teasing her skin with subtle, almost playful pressure.
“Then behave and take your medicine.” Corrine swatted his hand away, pulling herself free from his embrace. She quickly reached for the medicine on the table.
“Take it quickly, or the fever will get worse.”
Nate glanced at the colorful pills before him, his brow furrowing as he dismissed them with a slight shake of his head.
“It’s just a little bug. It’ll get better on its own.”
“Take the medicine now, or what if the fever fries your brain?” Concern flickered across Corrine’s face, her voice edged with growing urgency.
“Feed it to me.”
“Then open your mouth.”
“Sweet Corrine, that’s not how you feed someone.”
Nate’s teasing grin only made Corrine’s frustration rise, but then her mind clicked into place.
“Whether you take it or not, it’s not my business!”
“Fine, I’ll take it.” As she started to walk away, clearly annoyed, Nate reached out, gently grabbing her wrist. He brought the glass of water to his lips, his voice laced with quiet satisfaction.
“See how obedient I am to my girlfriend.”
The term hit her like a wave, her cheeks instantly flushing as the words hung between them. She shot him a quick, startled glance before turning away, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
“After you take the medicine, get some rest. I’ll check on you later.”
But just as she turned to leave, Nate’s grip on her wrist tightened, pulling her back into his chest, catching her off guard.
Before Corrine could stand up, Nate’s hand gently settled on her head, drawing her into his embrace.
“Stay with me,” he murmured, his words carrying an intimate weight.
The simple gesture sent an inexplicable tremor through Corrine’s heart.
“I’m afraid staying here might disturb you…” she began, her voice tinged with hesitation.
A playful edge entered Nate’s tone
“But you’ve already disturbed my peace, so now you must take responsibility for me.”
His deep voice wrapped around her like velvet, sending a delicate shiver down her spine. Her cheeks bloomed with a rosy warmth.
Corrine tilted her head slightly, trying to maintain some semblance of propriety.
“Then you should rest well now, and continue working once your fever subsides.”
Nate’s smile was tender, almost doting.
“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
“Good. Then get some sleep. I’ll stay and make sure you’re okay.”
But Nate was several steps ahead. In one swift motion, he wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her horizontally. His voice dropped to a deliberately low whisper.
“If you keep moving like this, I can’t promise I won’t lose control.” The implied threat hung in the air. Corrine understood perfectly, her cheeks deepening to a more intense blush. She bit her lower lip lightly, surrendering to his embrace.
His cool, earthy scent enveloped her, causing her heart to race with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability.
Nate leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss against her fluttering eyelashes before softly patting her back.
“Sleep,” he whispered.
Though she had originally planned to quietly leave once Nate fell asleep, she unexpectedly drifted off herself.
When Nate slowly opened his eyes, he found Corrine peacefully nestled against his arm, resembling a tranquil kitten.
Her long lashes cast delicate shadows over her cheeks, her nose slightly upturned with a soft elegance that drew his gaze. Her lips, slightly parted in sleep, glistened faintly like dew on ripe fruit, and the faint curve of her neckline revealed a glimpse of porcelain skin beneath the loose fabric of her blouse. Nate’s dark eyes softened as he admired her peaceful expression.
His gaze deepened, laced with tenderness and something more indefinable. A resigned smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
She trusted him too much.
He reached out, his fingers brushing delicately over her cheek, as though tracing a line of poetry. A quiet infatuation flickered in his eyes as he studied her serene features.
He couldn’t fathom why Bruce would choose Leah over Corrine. In terms of beauty, Leah was no match for her. In family background, Corrine outshone her by miles. There was nothing about Corrine that could be found lacking.
But then again, perhaps it was Bruce’s loss that had paved the way for Nate’s gain. If Bruce hadn’t abandoned her, things might have been far more complicated.
Just as his thoughts meandered, Corrine’s phone buzzed loudly, breaking the tranquility of the moment.
Nate quickly picked it up, glancing at the screen before answering.
“Who’s this?” The line went silent for a beat before Bruce’s familiar voice answered, sharp and tinged with barely suppressed anger
“Put Corrine on the phone.”
Nate’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he glanced at Corrine, still fast asleep against his arm. Rising quietly, he moved to the balcony.
“She’s not available,” he said, his tone cool, his words deliberate.
On the other end, Bruce’s voice rose, laced with barely veiled jealousy.
“Who the hell do you think you are to decide that for her? Let me talk to Corrine!”
Nate didn’t bother indulging the outburst. He hung up without another word, the dial tone ringing in Bruce’s ears.
Bruce stared at the phone in his hand, his jaw tightening as anger simmered beneath his calm facade. He let out a cold laugh, his tone dripping with derision.
“Corrine, so this is what you’ve come to.”
When his assistant entered moments later, Bruce stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his expression as dark as the storm clouds that had hung over the city the previous night. The assistant hesitated, sensing the tension in the room. Clearing his throat cautiously, he said, “Mr. Ashton, everyone’s ready for the meeting.”
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.