In the quiet of the night, Nathaniel Fu held Celia close, his deep, magnetic voice murmuring sweet nothings against her ear. Her slender fingers curled into the fabric of his suit."I… can't," she whispered.
Nathaniel brushed his nose against hers, inhaling her soft scent with a hunger he didn't bother to hide."Little liar. You've got a hundred tricks for everyone else, but with me, you say you can't?"
Celia's lips parted, but no reply came.
"Do you miss me?" he asked softly.
Her porcelain skin flushed a delicate pink, like a brush of rouge across fine silk.
Nathaniel's gaze lingered on her face, drifting upward to the bandage on her forehead. He kissed it gently."You can't even say you miss me… If you did, even from the farthest corner of the world, I'd find my way back to you."
His lips brushed over the wound with such tenderness that her heart melted."Celia, I want some strawberry cake too," he murmured before kissing her mouth again.
She was his strawberry cake.
Celia couldn't refuse him—couldn't refuse the intoxicating pleasure he brought into her life. She gripped the sleeve of his tailored jacket and rose, wrapping herself around his broad shoulders. When they were together, she wanted to savor every stolen moment.
Their kiss deepened—until a sharp knock came at the door.
"Celia, darling, I made you some tonic with jujubes," Mrs. Fu's voice called from outside. "Open the door."
Celia froze.Nathaniel's large hand squeezed her waist, making her shiver."Stop biting me," he growled under his breath. "You're going to leave a mark."
Her eyes widened, and she quickly released his lip."Mom's here—let me go," she hissed.
Nathaniel didn't move. "Tell her you're in the shower."
Celia took a steadying breath and called out, "I'm taking a shower, Mom. Just leave it by the door. I'll have it later."
"Alright, sweetheart," Mrs. Fu replied, her footsteps fading down the hall.
Nathaniel finally loosened his hold. Celia exhaled in relief—only for him to sweep her up and toss her onto the plush bed.
"Wait—where's the card you gave me?" she asked quickly.
She'd figured it out now—until the jade pendant was recovered, there was no reason to feel guilty about using his money. Between adults, money was business, not sentiment.
Nathaniel glanced at her open hand, then bent to kiss it. "I didn't take it. Wherever you lost it that night, go find it."
She made a mental note to retrieve it tomorrow."How much is on it?"
"How much do you plan to spend?"
"The more, the better."
He lay beside her, pulling her into his arms again. "Then make me feel like it's worth every penny."
———
The next morning, Celia opened her eyes to find Nathaniel still asleep beside her, his arm draped possessively around her waist.
"Nathaniel, wake up," she urged.
He stirred, tightening his embrace. "We were up late last night, and now you're waking me at dawn? You trying to kill me?"
"My—your mother's already awake. You need to leave before she notices."
Nathaniel sighed and opened his eyes. He knew his mother wouldn't let him stay—wouldn't let him near Celia if she had her way. Not even to hold her like this.
"Come on, get up," Celia urged, giving him a little push.