Chapter 231

Chapter 231

"How can we rest when guests are here?" Isabella strongly disagreed.

"It's fine," Zachary's voice was gentle. "It's hot now. Without an afternoon nap, it's easy to lose energy in the afternoon. Gwen told me Mr. Winston still has classes to teach this afternoon. You should really rest."

His thoughtfulness raised Preston and Isabella's opinion of him even higher.

Gwen finally managed to persuade Preston and Isabella to nap, then coaxed Charlie to sleep before she could finally catch her breath.

She walked out of the room, rubbing her sore neck.

A hand suddenly appeared on her neck, warmer than her own skin, gently massaging the sore spots and bringing considerable relief.

Zachary stood behind her, kneading her shoulders with just the right pressure, saying softly, "You've worked hard."

"It's nothing." Gwen shook her head.

Charlie was already a very well-behaved child. Taking care of him was easy for Gwen. Except for occasionally asking questions beyond his age because he was too smart, there really wasn't much else.

"Want to rest for a bit?" Zachary asked.

Cora had also gone to rest after washing dishes. The whole house was quiet, making it easy to feel drowsy.

But with Zachary here, Gwen felt awkward about having him sleep in her room.

Though, it should be fine, right?

Gwen cleared her throat lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Should we... sleep together... take a nap together?"

She didn't know why she felt the need to add that last part.

In the days they'd been together, their most intimate actions had been hugging and holding hands. They hadn't even kissed.

Gwen figured Zachary wanted to take things slow, and she herself didn't fully understand these things anyway and wasn't that interested.

Zachary looked down at her until she grew shy, then smiled and nodded. "Okay."

For some reason, Gwen felt like she was inviting a wolf into her home.

She cleared her throat lightly and walked into the room with Zachary. As soon as she closed the door, Zachary embraced her from behind.

Zachary bent down, resting his chin on her shoulder, his burning breath falling on her earlobe.

"Gwen," his voice was husky yet tender, "do you think your parents like me?"

"They definitely like you very much." Gwen answered without hesitation.

This was the first time she'd seen her parents like this. They clearly liked him very much.

Zachary laughed softly. "What about Gwen? Does Gwen like me?"

Gwen turned around, looking at him helplessly. "What do you think?"

If she didn't like him, how could she possibly be with him?

Zachary's lips curved slightly. He bent down, his nose brushing against her cheek. "Gwen, can we kiss?"

He was politely asking permission.

Gwen had thought this kind of thing just happened directly. She didn't expect there'd be this step and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

If she nodded, would it seem too eager?

She only hesitated for a second, but Zachary was already eagerly nuzzling her with his nose. "Gwen, I want to kiss you."

"I didn't dare before because I hadn't gotten your parents' approval... Now, can I kiss you? I'll be gentle."

Gwen hadn't realized that was why he'd been holding back. If he hadn't been restraining himself, wouldn't he have... on the first day?

She didn't continue that thought because her breath was already being stolen.

Zachary's kiss wasn't gentle. More accurately, only the first two seconds were gentle.

Kissing the person he liked already excited Zachary tremendously. He couldn't control his actions, only desperately trying to get more.

His kissing technique wasn't very good, but men seemed to have natural instincts in this area. He quickly left Gwen breathless.

Gwen raised her hand to push him away. Zachary obligingly pulled back slightly. When Gwen caught her breath, he immediately covered her lips again.

This was too stimulating for Gwen.

She felt like she couldn't take it.

Her heartbeat pounded so violently it felt like it would leap out. She worried she'd actually drown in this kiss when she suddenly heard a suppressed groan from Zachary.

He seemed even more excited...

Combined with his already deep, pleasant voice, that single gasp made Gwen's ears tingle with a tingling sensation.

Zachary released her, panting by her ear.

"Gwen... I like you."

He confessed in a low voice, almost like acting spoiled.

Gwen responded softly, "I like you too."

As soon as those words left her mouth, Gwen saw Zachary's eyes change.

She thought uh-oh, and the next second Zachary picked her up and gently placed her on the bed.

Her wrists were controlled by Zachary, forced to raise her hands and endure his dense kisses. When the burning kisses touched her collarbone, Gwen finally began to struggle.

"Zachary..."

"I know," Zachary kissed her cheek very tenderly. "I won't do that."

This was Gwen's room. Her family was still outside. So he wouldn't do that.

Even though they'd already done everything they should and shouldn't have done, that was under unclear consciousness. If they were fully conscious, Zachary absolutely wouldn't allow their first time to happen under those circumstances.

Zachary released Gwen's hands. "I'm going to take a shower."

Gwen grabbed him. "Maybe..."

"No," Zachary immediately refused, afraid that if he heard more, he really wouldn't be able to control himself. "We can't. Not here."

He seemed to be convincing himself. After saying this, he immediately got up and left, entering the bathroom in the room.

After a ten-minute cold shower, Zachary emerged from the bathroom.

Gwen had already fallen asleep, curled up in a ball on the bed, her sleeping face peaceful and beautiful.

Zachary walked over, covered her with a blanket, adjusted the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature, then lay down beside her.

He raised his hand and pulled Gwen into his embrace.

Gwen was sleeping too deeply. After being held in his arms, she only found a comfortable position for herself before falling back into deep sleep.

Zachary looked down at her and couldn't help placing a kiss on her forehead.

At the same time, at the Sterling Residence.

"Justin, I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me. My mom kept instigating me to steal the classified documents. I was really forced by her!"

Lynn knelt on the floor, trying to earn Justin's forgiveness.

Justin looked at her coldly, his eyes full of icy mockery.

The moment Lynn crawled on her knees toward him, he finally lost control of his temper and kicked her shoulder.

Lynn was kicked to the floor, her entire face instantly turning deathly pale.

Nora ran over crying. "Mommy..."

Lynn held Nora, trying to comfort her, but the bodyguard beside them stepped forward and forcibly separated mother and daughter.

Justin threw the test report in front of Lynn, his voice cold as if laced with poison. "Lynn, see for yourself."

Lynn looked at the test report in front of her, her face growing even paler.

No... it wasn't like this!