Seeing her stiff back, a silent testament to her stubbornness, Collin couldn’t help but let out a gentle chuckle. His face showed a mix of fondness and resignation as he shook his head and turned his wheelchair to leave the room.
Exhausted from the day’s relentless demands, Linsey finally succumbed to the comfort of her bed. As she nestled her face into the soft folds of the blanket, a subtle scent- unmistakably Collin’s- enveloped her, soothing her frazzled nerves. Her eyelids grew heavy, her breaths deepened, and soon, she was lost in the tranquil embrace of sleep.
In the shadows of the room, Collin remained awake. Seated at a desk cluttered with documents, he worked diligently, the only light a pair of lamps casting a warm, amber glow over his solitary figure.
Aware that Linsey had drifted off, he moved with deliberate quietness, the rustle of paper softened by his gentle touch. His eyes, however, frequently strayed from the documents before him to the serene figure on the bed. The sight of Linsey, her silhouette a soft curve under the blanket, stirred something within him. After countless nights of solitude, the simple reality of her presence was both novel and comforting. Of all things, he hadn’t expected to find someone sleeping so calmly this close to him.
As the clock ticked on, Linsey shifted restlessly, the blanket slipping away. Noticing this, Collin abandoned his papers and rolled his chair closer to the bed, his concern evident. Reaching her side, he paused, taking in her pained expression-eyes squeezed shut, features contorted by some silent agony. There was no doubt about it-she was being haunted by something in her sleep.
An uneasy feeling gripped his heart, sinking deep. Tentatively, he reached out, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder in a silent offer of reassurance.
“Don’t,” she murmured, her voice fraught with vulnerability. Her fingers clutched at his, gripping them tightly as she pleaded in a hoarse whisper, “Don’t leave me… please, stay with me.”
A trace of distress flickered across his eyes as he watched her. Without a moment’s hesitation, he clasped her hand, eased himself out of the wheelchair, and lay down beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“No need to be scared. I’ll never leave you,” he murmured, his lips lingering softly on her forehead.
Linsey’s furrowed brows smoothed out as she absorbed his words. Almost instinctively, her arms encircled him, her body pressing closer, seeking solace in his presence.
During their tender embrace, her abdomen unintentionally brushed against his thigh, causing Collin to stiffen, his body taut with sudden tension as he fought the urge to pull away.
A soft, startled whimper escaped Linsey when she sensed him retreating, and she clung to him even more desperately, her body molding tighter against his.
This renewed contact elicited a low, hoarse groan from Collin. He inhaled sharply, his eyes darkening as they settled on her serene, sleeping face. The rhythmic cadence of her breathing lulled him, yet he could not bring himself to disturb her slumber.
Trapped in a tumult of emotion, he steeled his resolve, forcing the rising tide of desire to recede. With closed eyes and a deep, steadying breath, he fought to clear his mind.
That night, while Linsey slept deeply, Collin remained awake, his restless vigil marked by a storm of emotions he struggled to contain.
The morning sun filtered into the room, and Linsey’s eyelids fluttered open, the weight of sleep still clinging to them. For a few disoriented seconds, she simply stared at the fabric of the shirt inches from her face, gradually realizing it was Collin’s chest she was using as her pillow. A wave of nervousness swept over her.
With a cautious, barely perceptible movement, Linsey lifted her head to peek at Collin, who remained deeply asleep beside her. Her mind raced with questions. When had he joined her in bed? How had she failed to notice his presence until now? And when exactly had he enveloped her in his arms?
She nibbled her lower lip anxiously, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks. Despite herself, her gaze lingered, becoming transfixed on Collin’s peaceful face. In sleep, his usual facade of sharpness and distance melted away, revealing an expression of serene calmness that belonged only to him. The gentle warmth emanating from his body enveloped her, sending her heartbeat into a fluttering, erratic rhythm.
She debated internally whether to rouse him, torn between prolonging this rare moment and the necessity of starting their day. Her deliberation was abruptly cut short by the low, persistent buzz of a vibrating phone.
Linsey’s eyes darted toward the sound and she noticed Collin’s brows twitch in the barest hint of disturbance, signaling he was waking up. For a fleeting instant, Linsey wished the world outside could remain at bay, just a little longer.
Seeing Collin so undisturbed was a rare and unexpectedly endearing sight she hesitated to interrupt.
With a determined air, she carefully propped herself up on one elbow, attempting to lean over him to snatch the phone from the bedside table to silence its insistent buzzing.
Yet, as she extended her hand, a husky voice halted her in her tracks. “What are you doing?” he murmured, his tone a blend of curiosity and amusement.
Turning back, she found herself caught in his deep, penetrating gaze, sending an inexplicable shiver cascading down her spine.
“The… the phone is buzzing,” she stammered, her voice faltering as she hastily retreated to her own side of the bed.
However, before she could put any real distance between them, he pressed his hand firmly against her lower back, drawing her back against his chest with a possessive tightness. He inhaled deeply, his breath warm on her neck, his voice even raspier as he commanded, “Don’t move.”
Frozen, she dared not twitch a muscle. A mixture of disbelief and surprise flickered in her wide, glistening eyes. Trapped in his embrace, she was keenly aware of his body’s reaction pressing against her.
Wait… The moment she registered the nature of his pressing urgency, her cheeks burned with a fierce blush. She remained motionless.
Collin held her gaze for a charged moment before finally grabbing the phone, his movements fluid and decisive.
His subordinate’s voice crackled through the speaker. “Mr. Riley, there’s an urgent meeting this morning.”
“Got it,” Collin responded, his voice a low, steady hum. “I’ll be there shortly.”
Despite the calm in his voice, his embrace tightened around Linsey, betraying his inner turmoil with an intense, almost overpowering closeness.
After he hung up, he shifted his gaze back to her, his expression softening as he looked down at her, still nestled against him. “I need to take care of something today. Why don’t you stay home and relax?”
She blinked up at him, confusion clouding her features. “But it’s the weekend. Do you really have to leave so early? Is it that urgent?”
“Yes,” he replied, his voice firm, yet his arms remained wrapped around her, holding her close as if he couldn’t bear to let go.
She bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “So… what about now?” Her eyes darted downward, her question hanging heavily in the air between them.
Collin was silent for a heartbeat, then replied, “I’ll manage. A cold shower should do the trick.”
He started to shift, gently easing her aside as he made to sit up. Linsey’s eyes widened in concern. The morning air was biting-what if he ended up catching a cold from that icy water?
As he moved towards his wheelchair, she reached out impulsively, her fingers brushing his. “Wait.”
He paused, turning to face her, his expression inquiring.
Taking a deep breath, she mustered her courage. “I’m your wife, Collin. It’s only natural for us to be close. You don’t have to keep your distance… I can help you.” Her voice was soft.
Collin’s gaze darkened in an instant, a surge of longing flickering beneath the surface like smoldering embers.
“Linsey, do you truly understand what you’re saying?” he asked.
After voicing her thoughts, Linsey felt a wave of relief wash over her. She steadied herself, her expression calm as she responded, “I’m your wife. It’s only natural I want to be here for you, isn’t it?”
There was something in her words, a quiet yearning for connection, that stirred within her as well.
Collin studied her, his eyes searching, his voice softer than before. “Are you sure? I won’t ask you for anything you’re not ready for.”
Linsey’s cheeks flushed, but she stood firm, her resolve clear. “Yes, I’m sure. And I won’t look back.”
He took a steadying breath, then suddenly turned, moving with purpose. Before she could react, he gently pressed her back, his presence enveloping her, and a soft gasp escaped her lips.
His voice, low and intense, brushed against her ear. “I told you last night. I wouldn’t rush anything until you were fully healed. After all, I’m not some kind of monster.”
The memory of their misunderstanding last night flooded back, and a wave of embarrassment swept over her once again.
Then, with surprising tenderness, he cupped her cheek in his large hand, his touch warm against her skin.
“But now…” His voice deepened, and there was a hint of something unspoken. “I suppose I’ll have to break that promise.”
She lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed with a soft, unmistakable shyness.
Collin watched her, his eyes lingering on her flustered expression. A strange sensation stirred deep within him.
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.