His deep, magnetic voice wrapped around her like a velvet blanket, his breath warm against her temple, stirring the soft strands of hair by her ear.
Corrine’s brow twitched sharply at the sensation.
In the silence that followed, Nate gently turned her around, his dark eyes softening as they met hers, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his lips. His fingers brushed the damp strands of hair by her shoulder.
“Just took a shower?”
Corrine nodded, her voice quiet.
“Yes.”
As she glanced up, she noticed the faint red streaks in his eyes, and her mind flashed back to Tanya’s words earlier.
“Late-night coffee isn’t healthy. As staff, we can’t advise him, but surely work isn’t more important than his well-being, right, Miss Holland?”
A soft trace of concern crossed her face, her gaze tender yet filled with worry.
“Nate, you don’t have to work so hard. I can support you financially.”
“Feeling sorry for me?” Nate caught every subtle shift in her expression, his smile deepening as it reached his eyes.
Corrine lowered her gaze, a subtle flush rising in her cheeks. She instinctively lifted her chin slightly.
“No, I’m not.”
Nate’s fingers lightly brushed aside her damp hair, his voice slow and teasing.
“You’re lying.”
Corrine opened her mouth to protest, but as her eyes met his-deep, affectionate, and full of unspoken emotion-she faltered. It was as though he might pull her in for a kiss at any moment, and her breath caught. A flicker of panic flashed across her eyes.
“You should get back to work and try to rest early tonight.”
With that, she gently tugged at his hand, guiding him toward the desk.
But before she could lead him any farther, Nate’s grip tightened on her hand. In one swift movement, he bent down, hoisting her effortlessly over his shoulder.
The movement was effortless, smooth, as if he had done this countless times before-confident and unhesitating.
Startled by the sudden lift, Corrine gasped.
“Nate, what are you doing? Put me down!”
“Quiet.” Nate’s voice was low, firm, as he raised his hand, giving her a playful but commanding tap on the rear, all while striding out of the study and heading straight for the guest room.
Corrine’s cheeks bloomed with color, and she pounded his back in frustration.
“Nate! Put me down!”
Nate’s pace never faltered as he entered Corrine’s room and gently placed her on the bed.
The soft mattress sank beneath her, the unexpected movement leaving her momentarily dizzy, her senses spinning.
Before she could regain her balance, Nate’s tall figure loomed over her, his presence overpowering.
Corrine’s heart skipped, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, her body tense beneath him
The cool, familiar scent of him surrounded her, and a wave of tension rippled through her, her hands instinctively clutching the sheets beneath her.
“Nate, you…”
As Nate leaned in closer, she instinctively squeezed her eyes shut, her long lashes fluttering like delicate wings of a butterfly, betraying the turmoil churning inside her.
His warm breath skimmed over her cheek, sending a shiver down her neck, as the air between them thickened with unspoken intensity.
Corrine’s body was taut, her grip on the bedsheet tightening involuntarily, the fabric bunching in her clenched fists.
“Nate, I’m begging you.”
Her voice, soft and fragile, trembled with a hint of desperation.
As the words escaped her lips, Nate’s deep yet gentle voice echoed from above her, sending a shiver down her spine.
“What did you say?”
Startled, Corrine snapped her eyes open to see Nate leaning over her, his hand reaching across to grab the hairdryer from the nightstand. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, a wave of embarrassment flooding her.
So, he wasn’t…
Corrine bit her lip, her gaze falling to the bed.
“It’s nothing.”
“Really?” Nate’s eyes glinted with mischief, a knowing smile curling at his lips.
“But I clearly heard you say you were begging me. What is it you’re begging me for?”
His voice was rich, magnetic, laced with an irresistible allure that made her heart skip.
Corrine’s blush deepened, creeping down to her ears, her pulse racing with the sudden surge of heat.
Seeing the teasing smile tugging at his lips, she realized he was deliberately playing with her.
Clearing her throat, she tried to steady the rapid beat of her heart and replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest, “Nothing.”
Nate watched her intently, the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. His smile widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Come here.” He adjusted the hairdryer, then beckoned her with a lazy finger.
“I can do it myself,” Corrine protested, sitting up and reaching for the hairdryer. But before she could grasp it, Nate swiftly dodged backward, raising the hairdryer above his head like a playful challenge.
Caught off guard, Corrine stumbled forward and fell right into his arms. The impact was sharp, sending a jolt of sensation through her, and she blinked, her eyes glistening with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
“Nate, do you have any idea how infuriating you are?”
She shot him an exasperated glare, turning her back to him as she perched at the foot of the bed, her posture stiff with frustration.
Nate’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace with a quiet but undeniable strength.
“Not as infuriating as you.”
“What do you mean?” Corrine’s voice was sharp with disbelief, and she twisted to face him
“Explain yourself!”
Nate’s lips curled into a playful smile, his breath warm against her ear as he leaned down, his lips brushing her cheek with a tenderness that caught her off guard.
“You agreed to be with me, yet you keep a distance from me. You make me always think about you. Isn’t that infuriating?”
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.