Chapter 204: The unrestrained desire
Zara stilled instantly, her muscles stiffening in alarm. "I’m sorry," she blurted, regret flickering across her face. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. Let me check."
She held his injured hand gently as if she were afraid her touch would hurt him further. For a moment, she simply stared at the bandage, not knowing what to do.
"It hurts," he mumbled, checking her expression.
Zara’s regret deepened. "Tell me, what can I do to ease your pain?" Her fingers brushed gently over the edge of the bandage.
Nathaniel’s lips curled faintly with a knowing smile. "Yes, it’s only you who eases my discomfort," he rasped. His good hand rose and caressed her cheek.
Zara shivered at his tenderness. She should have pulled back, should have shoved his hand away, but she didn’t. She remained still in his lap, fearing a slightest movement could hurt him.
His thumb brushed the curve of her jaw. "Zara," he whispered, his lips hovering over hers as if he was about to kiss her.
She dropped her gaze to his mouth, then quickly looked away. But it was too late. He had seen it. In a blink, he held her head and pressed his lips against hers, sealing the moment.
She pulled back instantly, trying to escape. But he held her firmer, refusing to let her go. He kissed her again, deeper this time.
Her instincts screamed at her to push him away, yet her body leaned into his warmth, craving the inevitable. She cursed herself. Even knowing the truth that the woman he held in his heart was not her but her sister, she couldn’t resist the pull. She was like a moth, flying toward the fire, knowing it would only burn her alive.
It was tormenting, yet she painfully craved him. She couldn’t deny the fact that how much she wanted him. She finally let go of her hesitation and surrendered to the heat.
The kiss grew urgent, stealing her breath.
"I can’t get enough of you," he whispered between the kisses, his tongue sweeping into her mouth with an intoxicating dominance that left her dizzy.
Zara’s body melted against him. Her hands, which had been pressing firmly against his chest, began to roam over his shoulders, then down his bare chest. She could feel his muscles tightening under her fingertips. Her fingers dragged further down to his abdomen, making him shudder.
"Uh," a groan escaped deep from his throat. "You drive me insane. I can’t hold it."
His hand traced the curve of her waist, sliding inside her top, skimming the side of her ribs, and then resting just beneath her breast.
Zara stiffened, pressing her hand against his chest. "We can’t," she whispered, though she trembled from the restraint.
"Why not?" he groaned, brushing his thumb along her lower lip. "You want this. Don’t say that you don’t feel it." He devoured her lips hungrily.
Caught in the storm of desire, she kissed him back with equal fervor. She had completely forgotten that the door wasn’t closed.
Riya, who had been storming toward her room, paused right outside the door when she heard some ambiguous sounds. She peered through the crack of the door and saw Nathaniel and Zara kissing each other madly. Her stomach knotted.
She had just been rejected, and now she witnessed the scene. Rage, hatred, and jealousy mingled, forming a storm inside her. Bottom of Form
’Shameless woman.’ She clenched her fists at her sides. ’She only knows how to seduce men.’
Riya stomped her feet before storming away.
Inside the room...
Zara pulled back abruptly. "Stop it, Nathaniel. We are here for dinner," she reminded him. "Everyone is waiting for us downstairs."
Zara slid off his lap, still breathless, but she managed to regain her composure. "I am leaving."
She hurried out without sparing a glance at him as if she was afraid she couldn’t control herself if she looked into his eyes.
Nathaniel watched her leave, his body still burning with a hunger he had barely managed to control. He could still feel the taste of her mouth, her scent clinging to his skin, tormenting him. He wanted to chase her after, pin her against the wall, and claim what his body longed for.
But he forced himself to restrain, his injured hand aching under the tension.
She had been so close – too close, right in his lap, and now she wasn’t with him. Only the ghost of her warmth still lingered on his lap, reminding him of what he couldn’t have. His jaw tightened, his gaze falling on the tray of fruit and juice by the bed.
It felt almost mocking, a quiet reminder of how fragile the line between their restraint and surrender had been.
Nathaniel dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling a sharp breath. "I didn’t crave for this. I crave for you."
He had held himself back for now, thinking about the family waiting downstairs. But he was resolved he would have her tonight.
"You think you can walk away, leaving me like this?" He smirked, brushing his thumb over his lips. He couldn’t forget the way her lips had trembled under his, how her body had pressed closer to his chest.
"Sweetheart, you are so wrong. There is no escape tonight. I’ll make you beg for me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The food was served, and everyone gathered at the table, except Nathaniel. Zara sat down beside Zane and picked up his food absentmindedly while her eyes kept drifting toward the room upstairs. She had asked him to come down quickly. Why hadn’t he appeared yet?
’Is he having any discomfort?’ she wondered, feeling restless. ’Should I go and check on him?’
"Mommy, I don’t want vegetables," Zane’s sudden protest pulled her out of her thoughts.
She looked down at him. "Uh," she faltered, disoriented momentarily. "Eat a little. It’s good for you."
"But..."
"I’ll give you more ice cream," Zara interrupted.
Zane pouted but gave in reluctantly. "Fine, I’ll eat."
"That’s good," Vincent said with a laugh. "You should eat more vegetables to stay healthy and strong." His attention then moved to Liam. "So you two have talked." His gaze flicked to Riya. "If you two like each other, we’ll fix the engagement soon. Or do you want more time to get to know each other well?"
He grinned, confident that they would agree to the engagement soon.
"I talked to her," Liam said, "and expressed my thoughts honestly. It’s up to her now." He glanced at Riya, eager to hear her reply.
Liam hoped Riya would turn the proposal down. No woman would want such a marriage, no matter how scheming she was.
Riya, however, remained calm. Although a storm of anger and hatred brewed inside her, she refused to let anyone see her turmoil. She wouldn’t give up, and she definitely wouldn’t accept defeat from someone like Zara.
Riya met his gaze with a smile as if daring him to challenge her. "Honesty is the foundation of a relationship. I already like you because of your honesty. I’ve no issue with this marriage."
Liam stilled, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. ’She actually agreed to marry me!’