Chapter 71

William Johnson set down his phone and glanced at the petite woman across the table, who was engrossed in her meal. His lips curved into an unconscious smile.

"Do you like it?" he asked, raising a brow.

Emily Smith's cheeks were stuffed full as she nodded vigorously. "Mhm, I love it."

"Do you love the food I made, or do you love me?" William propped his chin on one hand, his gaze burning into her.

Emily paused her chopsticks, blinking. "The food is delicious."

"Just the food?" he pressed.

"You're... really good at everything," she mumbled under her breath.

"Care to elaborate?" William suddenly seemed intrigued, setting down his chopsticks and leaning closer.

The tips of Emily's ears turned pink as she lowered her head and poked at the rice in her bowl. "I mean... you're just amazing."

"What do you like most about me?" His deep voice was laced with temptation.

Emily jerked her head up, meeting his teasing gaze—then instantly understood. Her fair cheeks flushed crimson.

"I... like everything," she stammered before shoving a large bite of rice into her mouth.

William chuckled lowly. "Really?"

"Since when are you so insecure?" she shot back, her face still burning.

William: "......"

Dinner ended late into the night. Emily was in her nightgown, and William wore a bathrobe. Neither could call housekeeping to clean up, so Emily volunteered to wash the dishes.

When she finished tidying the kitchen, she spotted William on the balcony, phone pressed to his ear. Through the glass door, she could see his furrowed brow.

She was about to slip back to her room when William suddenly crooked a finger at her.

Emily hesitated but stepped forward. The moment she entered the balcony, he yanked her into his arms, pressing her back against the railing.

"William, I miss you. Come to New York with me, okay?"

A woman's sultry voice drifted from the phone. Emily stiffened, instinctively trying to turn around.

But William angled the screen away while his other hand slid beneath her nightgown.

"Ah—" She gasped, then immediately bit her lip.

"What are you doing?" The woman's voice sharpened abruptly.

Emily frantically grabbed his wandering hand, but he easily overpowered her.

"What do you think?" William smirked into the phone, his fingers growing bolder.

"William Johnson! Is there a woman with you?" Anger now laced the voice on the other end.

Emily clenched her teeth, refusing to make another sound.

"Is that a problem?" His tone was deliberately flippant.

Silence stretched for a few seconds before the woman suddenly laughed. "Fine. I'll give you one last chance."

The call ended abruptly. William tossed his phone onto the couch, then gripped Emily's chin and crushed his lips against hers.

"Stop... someone might see..." She struggled weakly against him.

William swept her into his arms and murmured against her ear, "Relax. No one can see us."