Chapter 32
“I feel at ease with you, and more importantly, we can build our connection as we go,” Zachary answered.
After fastening the clasp of the necklace–ring, he braced both hands on the chair and looked at the mirror in front of them. In the reflection, Jessica was the very image of temptation.
She had a face that one would fall for at first glance. Her blonde hair spilled over her shoulders like silk, her large, bright eyes were captivating, and her flawless figure was downright dangerous.
It was nearly impossible not to like her.
“I made a mistake. So, I have to take accountability. If you don’t like it, I won’t force it on you.”
She knew exactly what he meant by forcing it, and her cheeks turned red.
“Aren’t you scared that I would turn out to be some kind of gold–digger or player?” she asked, not understanding why someone would be so eager to take accountability.
“I was the one who hired you. You’re on good terms with Joshua, so I know plenty about you.”
“Huh?” she blurted.
Plenty? Could he have known about her and fallen for her for some time now?
That piece of information had already caught her off guard, but before she could process it, Zachary hit her with something even more shocking.
“So, can I kiss you?”
Jessica’s eyes widened as she turned her head and looked up at him, startled. His gaze was full of desire, locked onto her lips with an unmistakable intent.
Now, that was too direct, wasn’t it?
She thought it was truly bold of him just to blurt out exactly what was on his mind. It would have been less nerve–wracking if he had just gone for it. At least, her thoughts wouldn’t have had the time to spiral.
She wondered if she should give him her consent. Would that make her seem too easy? She thought that it would feel too unfair to him if she refused. They were married, after all.
It wasn’t like they hadn’t done the deed already. She couldn’t expect him to sit around and
stare at her forever.
“I’m… a little nervous,” Jessica replied, dodging his gaze and her reflection in the mirror.
Chapter 32
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Her response was noncommittal, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. They might have been intimate before, but they had never shared a proper kiss.
“It’s fine. We’re just not used to being around each other. We can always come back to this when we’re ready,” Zachary reassured her, gently caressing her head before stepping out of the walk–in closet.
His tone was so calm that it became eerie. It was as if he were talking about the weather.
Jessica couldn’t believe that men like him still existed in this day and age. He was nearly 30. At
that age,
she expected his libido to be at an all–time high.
And yet, here he was, managing to hold himself back. She thought that if the roles were reversed, she would have kissed him already. Who would bother with asking?
Her thoughts were all over the place.
By the time Jessica emerged from the walk–in closet, Zachary was already in the study, back to work as usual. She glanced at the tulips on the desk and suddenly felt the urge to take them
back.
He turned slightly at that moment, assuming that she was staring at him. They both awkwardly looked away at the same time.
Not daring to linger around, she quickly grabbed her sketch drafts and rushed out of the study. He curled his lips into a subtle smile.
Suddenly, she popped her head back in. She was about to say something, but paused when she saw that smirk on his face.
For some reason, this aloof man had been smiling a lot lately. She thought that something was definitely up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his expression shifting at the drop of a hat, like a kid who had been caught stealing candy.
She pointed up the stairs and asked, “May I take a look around upstairs?”
He hesitated briefly before saying, “This is your home now.”
“Oh…”
She nodded awkwardly, then turned around to leave.
When Zachary shifted his attention back to the documents, he realized that he couldn’t focus anymore. He simply sat there, staring blankly at the first page.
With a sigh, he rubbed his forehead, shut the laptop, and walked out of the study.
Chapter 33
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