Chapter 309
"Out," Nathaniel commanded sharply to the women surrounding him.
Immediately, they rose and exited through the rear door, vanishing to avoid Vivienne's arrival.
Only Isabella remained with him in the room now. She felt the sudden shift in energy and stood to leave, but Nathaniel's arms encircled her waist, pulling her back.
"Weren't you just claiming you wanted to be my wife?" His voice dropped to a low, suggestive timbre that made her heart race uncontrollably.
He tightened his hold, drawing her closer against him. Unaccustomed to such intimacy, Isabella pressed her palms against his chest to push away, but the contact only intensified the desire blazing in his eyes.
Her touch ignited a fire within him, his temperature spiking instantly. As she struggled to break free, his voice turned authoritative and strained. "Don't move!"
The raw hunger in his tone froze her completely. He always lost his composure when she was this near, and it wasn't the first time. Why did he have to restrain himself around her?
"Damn it...! Stay here." Nathaniel lifted her onto the sofa and strode quickly to the bathroom.
If he didn't release her now, he would lose all control.
Before Isabella could process what happened, the bathroom door slammed shut, followed by the sound of running water.
So rushed? He probably hadn't even removed his clothes.
Her mind wandered to the image of Nathaniel under the shower, his white shirt soaked and clinging to his sculpted chest and abs, nearly transparent...
Cough, cough! What was she thinking? Since when had she become so captivated by him? She was free now—she should leave!
With that decision, Isabella hurried out of the room.
When Nathaniel emerged from the shower, the room was empty, and his eyes darkened at the sight.
He told her to wait, yet she fled?
Did she only stay until Vivienne left? Was it all just an act? Displeasure and frustration coiled within him.
Everything felt like a performance. Why was Isabella the only woman who could unravel him so completely? Why did a single touch from her shatter the self-control he once prided himself on?
He had only felt this once before, five years ago.
What was the reason?
Meanwhile...
Vivienne slid into her car, still reeling from the shocking scene she witnessed. Hailing from an educated, upper-class lineage, she had never encountered anything so brazen in her life!
She always believed Nathaniel was a man of refinement like herself, but she never imagined...
This felt like discovering a beloved idol was secretly a addict—it shouldn't be happening!
Miranda sat beside her, speaking softly. "Vivienne, are you still planning to get engaged to Mr. Blackwood?"