Chapter 183: Morning intimacy
By the time Zara opened her eyes, morning light was already filtering in. Her body was sore in places she didn’t even know could ache. She felt as though she had been trampled by a stampede. She winced, rubbing her lower back.
"Ugh... my waist..." she muttered. The vivid memory of last night’s madness made her cheeks blaze red. Her eyes flicked to the man beside her, still sleeping soundly, looking far too innocent for the havoc he had caused.
"He really is a devil," she grumbled under her breath, trying to slip out of bed. But before she could move an inch, she was yanked backward, landing against his solid chest.
She gasped and looked down, only to meet his sleepy eyes. She didn’t move, not even flexed a muscle.
His husky, half-asleep voice brushed against her ear. "Why not stay a little longer with me?"
Zara’s lips parted in shock. This was the same man who had been rushing out early to the office, returning home long after dark. And now he wanted to laze in bed, to cuddle? Was this the after-effect of last night, or was he actually free today?
"What?" His mouth curved into a wicked smirk. "Staring at me like that... do you want a morning round?"
Her face burned hot. "Release me," she demanded, twisting against him, but his hold only tightened.
"Why would I let you go," he murmured darkly, "when you are mine to keep? Or are you still thinking of dragging me to a doctor?"
Zara’s cheeks flushed an even deeper shade. After last night, every trace of doubt had completely dissolved. At the same time, she was a bit irritated with Bree.
It had been Bree’s idea, after all—her suggestion had planted the seed of suspicion in her mind. And because of that, he had revealed his dark, devilish side, taking her with such unyielding intensity. The memory of that night’s passion was something she knew she would carry with her for a long time.
"I told you already," she muttered, eyes darting away from his. "I don’t doubt you anymore."
Peeling his arm from around her, she slipped out of bed and hurried toward the bathroom.
Nathaniel chuckled, sprawling lazily across the mattress, arms flung wide. His thoughts instantly drifted back to the fire of last night—the way her face twisted in pleasure, her lips parting with breathless cries, her body writhing beneath his. The memory alone sent a heated rush surging through him, desire stirring once again.
"Damn," he breathed, his body already reacting. "I need her again."
In a heartbeat, he was off the bed. "Zara..."
Before she could close the bathroom door, he was there, his palm braced against the frame, blocking her. Zara startled at his sudden appearance, wide-eyed and confused.
He smirked. "Let’s bathe together."
"W-wait—" Her protest was cut short as he stepped inside, arms snaking around her slender frame.
"What are you—mm..." The rest of her words were swallowed by his kiss, deep and demanding.
Nathaniel closed the bathroom door behind them, his body pressing her firmly against the cool tiles. The sudden contrast of the cold wall and the warmth of his chest made her shiver. His mouth on hers was hungry, demanding, tasting every corner of her lips as though he hadn’t had enough of her last night, and he hadn’t.
Water thundered as he turned the shower on, steaming heat filling the space almost instantly. Droplets sprayed over them, soaking their clothes in seconds before Nathaniel impatiently stripped them away, tearing the fabric from her body piece by piece until her bare skin glistened beneath the cascade.
"God, Zara..." his voice was hoarse as his hands roamed freely, possessively, and roughly. He kissed down her neck, nipping, sucking, leaving trails of fire.
She arched against him, the water plastering her hair to her skin, her breasts pressed against his hard chest. Her breath hitched as he slid his hand lower, fingers parting her thighs.
She tried to protest, half-hearted and breathless, "Nathaniel, we’ll—ah—" but her words melted into a moan as his fingers found her, stroking with a slow, deliberate rhythm that made her legs tremble.
"You are already wet for me," he murmured darkly with satisfaction. "Was last night not enough?"
She clung to his shoulders, unable to answer.
Nathaniel’s mouth closed over one peak of her breast, sucking hard while his fingers worked mercilessly below. Zara cried out, her body buckling against the wall.
When she was shaking with need, he abruptly pulled back, leaving her breathless and aching. She stared at him, dazed, only to find his eyes blazing with raw desire. He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as instinctively as breathing.
"Hold on to me," he commanded.
And then, with one deep thrust, he was inside her. Zara gasped as the sudden fullness stole her breath, every thrust sending waves of pleasure crashing through her.
Nathaniel moved hard and fast, pinning her against the wall, his mouth smothering her cries in hungry kisses. His hips slammed against hers. She writhed against him, lost in the rhythm, the sensation, the sheer power of his possession.
"Do you have any doubts left in your mind?" he growled into her ear, his thrusts deeper, rougher, demanding.
"No," she moaned, her voice breaking.
That sound spurred him on, his pace relentless, driving her higher and higher until the coil inside her snapped. She shattered in his arms, her body convulsing around him as pleasure consumed her.
Nathaniel wasn’t far behind. With a guttural groan, he buried himself deep inside her, his release surging as he clutched her tight.
For a long moment, only the sound of water filled the steamy room, both of them gasping, trembling, clinging to each other.
Finally, Nathaniel pressed his forehead to hers, his voice softer now. "I’ll never let you doubt me again."
~~~~~~~~~~
Nathaniel skipped the office entirely and headed straight to the hospital. He wasn’t going to let Eugen off the hook. How dare that man mess with Zara’s head, feeding her ridiculous doubts?
Today, he’d make sure Eugen never forgot his mistake.
"You are dead, Eugen," he muttered darkly as he strode down the corridor and stormed into Eugen’s office.
Eugen nearly jumped out of his chair, startled by Nathaniel’s sudden entrance. He was mid-conversation on the phone, his hand flying to cover the receiver.
"What the hell—? You scared me." He let out a shaky breath, trying to regain composure. "Hold on, I’m in the middle of an important call."
"I don’t have patience for this," Nathaniel snapped, slamming his palm hard against the desk.
Eugen froze. The fury blazing in Nathaniel’s eyes made his confidence falter. He quickly hung up, sensing trouble. "What’s going on?"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Nathaniel seized him by the collar and yanked him forward. "You dared to plant doubts in my wife’s mind."
Eugen’s body went rigid, confusion flickering across his face. "What are you even talking about? I never spoke to Zara."
"Don’t you dare lie to me," Nathaniel growled, his grip tightening around his collar. "You are the one who told her to doubt me, told her to find some damn doctor."
"Doctor?" Eugen’s eyes widened, completely lost. "What doubt? What are you accusing me of? Are you seriously sick or something?"