Chapter 430
“I’ll be good,” Nathaniel murmured, his voice low and husky as he wrapped his arm around Isabella’s waist, pulling her firmly against him.
She stiffened for a moment, ready to push him away, but then she relaxed. He had promised not to overstep. Resisting now would only make her seem childish. It was just sleep, after all.
Moonlight spilled into the room, casting a silvery glow over them like a delicate veil.
The next morning, the distinct sound of a key turning in the lock echoed through the room. Christopher was finally unlocking the door. Isabella immediately tried to sit up, but Nathaniel’s arm tightened around her. “In a rush to leave?” he asked, his voice still rough with sleep.
“Obviously,” she replied, confused.
“Think about it,” he said softly. “Oliver went to all this trouble to get us together. If he finds out nothing happened, he’ll be heartbroken. You know how his health is.”
Isabella’s heart clenched. There was still no reliable treatment for his condition. A severe emotional shock could trigger another episode. She couldn’t bear to see him suffer.
But still…
“If neither of us says anything, how would he know?” she argued, frowning.
“Do you really think he’s that naive?” Nathaniel countered, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Isabella wanted to protest. Oliver was only five! He was incredibly bright for his age, but surely a child wouldn’t understand these things.
Suddenly, Nathaniel shifted, moving over her. “For Oliver’s sake, I’m afraid you’ll have to play along, Ms. Montgomery.”
Before she could process his words, he was leaning down. His lips found the sensitive skin of her neck, sucking gently until a faint mark bloomed beneath them. Just as she was about to push him away, he pulled back. “There. That should do it.”
Done? That was it? Just a few kisses?
Isabella was baffled until she caught her reflection in the mirror. Several vivid love bites stood out against her skin. Had this man really been celibate all these years? She found it hard to believe.
Nathaniel chose that moment to open the door. Oliver immediately bounded into the room.
“Good morning, Daddy! Good morning, Mommy!” he chirped.
Isabella instinctively tried to cover her neck, but her collarless shirt offered no protection. Oliver’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the marks. A brilliant smile spread across his little face. “Mommy, I used the breakfast machine to make us a meal. You can’t skip breakfast. It’s not good for you.” He hurried over, taking her hand carefully as if she were made of glass, and began leading her downstairs.
Isabella shot a glare over her shoulder at Nathaniel. The damage was done. There was no undoing this misunderstanding now.
Nathaniel simply smirked, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. But as he watched Oliver guiding Isabella down the steps with such care, a shadow crossed his features. His expression darkened, his eyes clouding with a sudden, deep worry.
If she ever discovered the truth about his past… if she learned about the woman he had violated… would she still want him? Would she still be willing to have his child?