Chapter 106
Living alone meant minimal cooking for her.
Instant noodles became her default meal solution.
She had even perfected a self-heating boxed meal technique...
Nathaniel noticed her stillness and approached.
He gently tugged her hand and urged, "Mommy, let's eat now."
His voice carried excitement as he continued, "Barbecue tastes amazing during rainfall. Everything's incredibly tasty."
With determined pulls, he guided her toward the dining area.
Isabella glimpsed the torrential downpour through the window.
Reluctantly, she abandoned her plan to eject them.
She settled at the table opposite Nathaniel.
He expertly grilled pork belly with practiced movements.
Tongs flipped sizzling meat with precise timing.
He brushed oil lightly before seasoning with salt, pepper, and cumin.
The aroma of perfectly charred meat soon permeated the air.
Isabella's brow furrowed in suspicion.
How did someone previously clueless in kitchens master grilling so flawlessly?
Her eyes caught a prominent burn blister on his forearm.
Fresh and angry-looking.
"Did you take cooking lessons just for this?" she questioned.
"Indeed," Nathaniel confirmed elegantly.
He wrapped a perfectly cooked pork slice in fresh lettuce.
His hands presented the neat bundle to her lips. "Try this."
His gaze held tender concern that felt uncomfortably intimate.
Such husband-wife dynamics felt misplaced between near-strangers...
She blinked away the thought. "I can serve myself."
She selected raw meat to grill independently.
Disappointment flickered in Nathaniel's eyes briefly.
He maintained his outstretched hand steadily.
His voice dropped to a magnetic murmur. "Ms. Montgomery, consider my injury."
"Won't you humor me just this once?"
The velvety baritone weakened her resistance inexplicably.
Against better judgment, she acquiesced.
A subtle smile touched his lips.
He brought the lettuce wrap closer to her mouth.
Her lower lip accidentally grazed his fingertips during the bite.
Electric stillness seized both instantly.
A peculiar sensation radiated through their bodies.
Isabella frowned like witnessing supernatural phenomena.
Had she developed cardiac issues recently?
A comprehensive medical checkup seemed urgently necessary!
Nathaniel's smile deepened intriguingly.
He ate another grilled piece himself.
Then he deliberately sucked his fingertips while maintaining eye contact.
"Mmm, exceptionally flavorful," he declared meaningfully.
Isabella's cheeks flushed crimson immediately.
Was he praising the meat's taste or... something else entirely?
As she pondered, Nathaniel grilled a sizable Argentine lobster.
He offered a succulent piece to her lips again.
Using the same hand he'd just sucked clean?
"I don't— Oh!" Her protest got cut off by the inserted morsel.
Her mind reeled at the indirect kiss implication.
"Nathaniel!"
"Present. What requires attention?" He feigned innocence perfectly.
Isabella scowled at his audacious thick-skinned act.
Clearly, direct confrontation became necessary.
She turned to Oliver. "Sweetheart, fetch Mommy's orange juice from the upstairs fridge please?"
"Right away!" Oliver abandoned his utensils cheerfully.
He scampered off on his mission.
Nathaniel's brow tightened almost imperceptibly.
Isabella deliberately sent Oliver away.
Whatever she planned to discuss privately likely boded ill for him.