“That doesn’t sound like something you’d say,” Corrine remarked, her voice teasing.
Nate smirked, his eyes gleaming with playful affection.
“What can I say? My girlfriend’s charm is simply irresistible.”
He looked at her then, his deep, dark eyes brimming with tenderness, drawing her in like gravity.
Corrine took a steadying breath, fighting the pull of his gaze.
“But I have a meeting this afternoon.”
Nate leaned closer, his voice soft and persistent.
“But I can’t help but miss you.” He continued, his tone deepening with a hint of playful longing, “My longing for you is as vast as the Sahara Desert. To honor that, I think you should give me the afternoon to comfort me.”
Corrine’s heart skipped a beat at his words, a laugh bubbling in her throat.
She shook her head in disbelief-could he really be saying this?
“Corrine, don’t you miss me too?” Nate’s voice was thick with affection, every word a velvet caress.
Corrine could vividly recall their first meeting. Nate had left a striking impression as someone dignified and composed-a man of unwavering principle. He seemed untouched by the chaos of ordinary life, as though he existed on a plane above it all.
He was like a celestial being, aloof and untarnished by human desires. Yet this same man, so seemingly unattainable, had a way of speaking affection that dismantled her defenses with ease.
Corrine always prided herself on being rational, but when faced with Nate’s unwavering pursuit, his effortless charm, and his piercing gaze, she found herself yielding time and again.
She slowly closed her eyes, willing her thoughts to quiet. She needed to resist the pull of his allure, to remain grounded and composed.
“Is this really your first time being in love?” she finally asked, her voice betraying a flicker of doubt.
Nate arched a brow, his expression unreadable as his dark eyes studied her. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
“When a man is with the woman he loves, some things just come naturally.”
Her breath hitched at the insinuation, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Was he hinting at something deeper?
A flicker of unease surfaced, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, seeking refuge in a safer topic.
“Why did you show up at the Ashtons’ so suddenly?”
She didn’t voice the question lingering at the edge of her thoughts. Had he seen her fierce and unyielding side?
“I told you-whatever you want to do, just do it. I’ll stand by you, no matter what.” His voice was deep and steady, carrying a note of resolute confidence that left little room for argument. It was both a promise and a declaration, laced with indulgence and quiet command.
The message was clear-no matter what happened at the Ashtons’ today, he would support her without hesitation.
Corrine studied him for a long moment, then let out a soft, amused chuckle.
“What if one day I commit a crime? Would you think I’m not gentle, that I’m cold and heartless?”
“You don’t need to be gentle,” Nate replied without missing a beat. His gaze locked onto hers, steady and unwavering.
“I’ll protect you from any storm.” His dark eyes glowed with an almost reckless tenderness, the kind that could melt even the hardest of hearts.
Corrine’s lashes fluttered, and for a fleeting moment, her resolve wavered.
“No need to be gentle…”
The thought echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder if her quick surrender to Nate’s pursuit had been born of impulsive recklessness or the sheer pull of his magnetic charm.
Hearing his response now, she felt vindicated-perhaps her change of heart hadn’t been so unreasonable after all. Nate always seemed to find a way to touch the most vulnerable corners of her heart without even trying.
Just then, the shrill buzz of her phone interrupted the chaos in her mind. She blinked, regaining focus, and answered the call.
Donnelly’s voice burst through the line, laced with anger.
“You just left me behind like that? What were you thinking?”
“You weren’t on my way, were you?” Corrine replied coolly, her gaze flicking briefly toward Nate, who remained fixated on the road ahead.
On the other end, Donnelly took a sharp breath, clearly restraining himself.
“Do you know who made that gem?”
His tone turned sharp, his words pointed. Whoever had crafted the counterfeit had left their mark-each detail, each trace of time, held a signature of sorts, like the unintentional habits of an artist.
Corrine’s eyes darkened as she lowered her gaze, masking the frost that settled there.
“You’ve already figured it out, haven’t you?”
“I have,” Donnelly admitted before abruptly ending the call.
Nate glanced at her, curiosity dancing in his expression.
“Are you into antiques?”
Corrine tucked the phone away and replied, “My grandfather was. I picked up a thing or two from him when I was younger.”
A flicker of amusement lit Nate’s eyes as he smiled.
“I’ve got a few pieces in my collection. I’ll have to show you sometime.”
Something about the way he said it-about the subtle playfulness in his gaze-reminded her of a wolf draped in sheep’s clothing. There was an unmistakable edge of mischief that set her on guard.
As the car pulled to a stop in front of the Ford Group entrance, Corrine unfastened her seatbelt.
“This is my stop.”
She pushed open the car door, but before she could step out, Nate leaned over suddenly, his movement swift and deliberate, pinning her against the cool glass of the window.
Corrine’s eyes widened in shock as she instinctively struggled, her voice trembling.
“What are you doing?”
Nate’s intense gaze locked onto hers before drifting downward, settling on her lips with unspoken intent.
“Seeking solace,” he murmured, his voice low and unyielding. Without hesitation, he captured her lips in a fierce kiss.
The kiss was nothing like his usual composed demeanor; it was fervent and demanding, a relentless tide that left her breathless. Beneath the intensity, there was a palpable frustration, raw and unrestrained.
Corrine fought to steady her breath, her chest heaving as the oxygen drained from her lungs. Only when she was on the verge of collapse did he finally release her, though his presence still overwhelmed her.
Her trembling fingers gripped the front of his shirt, her lips parted as she drew in ragged breaths. Her cheeks glowed a deep crimson, the flush accentuating her beauty. Her tear-filled eyes shimmered, her vulnerability tinged with an undeniable allure.
Nate’s dark eyes burned with an even greater intensity as he stared at her.
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.