Chapter 200

Chapter 200

Seeing Nicholas looking truly pitiful, the moment Eugenie gave in, his whole expression changed at once. His face lit up with a triumphant smile as he crossed to the bed in two or three steps, pulled back the covers, and lay down.

A few seconds later, still not satisfied, he hooked her waist and pulled her back against him, holding her face‑to and releasing a contented sigh. "Perfect. Now we can sleep."

Eugenie breathed in the scent of the matching body wash on him. Thinking of how quickly he'd changed his tune, she braced a hand against his chest and looked down at him from above. "You're taking advantage of how soft-hearted I am toward you, aren't you? The moment I agree to be your girlfriend, you can't wait to climb into my bed?"

Nicholas found her accusatory look utterly endearing. He cupped the back of her neck, pulled her down to kiss her lips, and curved his mouth into a wicked smile. "After waiting for you this long, don't I deserve some reward? Climbing into bed is me showing restraint. If I really wanted to do something, do you think you'd still be dressed and talking to me right now?"

What could they do naked? Eugenie instantly understood his implication. Her cheeks burned red as she glared at him and moved off him.

"Scoundrel. Your mind is full of those things. I shouldn't even talk to you."

She'd just shifted to the side when he pulled her back—blanket and all—holding her tightly and refusing to let go, nuzzling his head against her shoulder.

"I sacrificed sleep to finish everything today. I'm really tired. Just let me hold you. I won't do anything else."

Eugenie reached out to turn off the night light. She'd just started to feel drowsy when the breathing beside her had already evened out. Thinking of the dark circles she'd seen under his eyes during dinner, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to push him away.

She reached up to touch his face. Emboldened by the surrounding darkness, she leaned in to kiss his lips on her own initiative. "Good night."

Nicholas got his wish of sleeping with her in his arms. Waking naturally, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, he felt a rare sense of contentment.

A beauty in his arms at dawn—her soft, pliant touch easily stirred primitive desires. The faint fragrance on her body tested his restraint. He lingered, reluctant to leave and deal with it, but just as he was about to lose control, he had to release her.

Sensing the warm source of heat about to leave, Eugenie hooked her arm around his neck to keep him from going, unconsciously pressing herself against him.

Nicholas let out a muffled groan, veins bulging on his arms. The fire threatened to burn hotter and higher.

Her nightgown had a tie closure. After a whole night, it had long since loosened, the front slipping down to reveal her lustrous shoulder.

He couldn't help reaching out to touch. The feel was soft, smooth, and delicate—like holding a piece of fine porcelain in his hand, making him unable to resist wanting more.

In her sleep, Eugenie felt increasingly hot. Something was poking uncomfortably. Half-asleep, she reached out to feel it, nearly making Nicholas lose all reason.

She groggily opened her eyes and froze at the sight of those desire-filled eyes. Being looked at with such innocent yet alluring eyes, Nicholas slipped his hand behind her back to press her against him, tilting his head to capture those tempting red lips.

Eugenie had her breath stolen in an instant. Unable to breathe, she couldn't help pushing against him. In the struggle, their bodies pressed even closer, that uncomfortable presence becoming extremely clear.

Her fragmented moans didn't earn his pity—instead, they made him greedily demand more. Eugenie's tie was pulled loose by him, and her slipping nightgown tugged downward.

It wasn't that she couldn't accept it—she just wasn't ready. She shouldn't have let the wolf in so easily last night.

Eugenie found her chance to push him away, fumbling to pull her nightgown back up. She kicked him through gritted teeth, the kick bringing him back to some clarity.

"I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself. Go to the bathroom and cool down."

Nicholas left behind the words "wait for me" and hurriedly got out of bed and left. After he went outside, Eugenie gasped to steady her breathing. Seeing the faint teeth marks on her shoulder, she cursed.

Though Nicholas occasionally showed his less serious side, he'd still maintained an air of restraint. Their first time sharing a bed had exposed his true nature. Where had all that self-control gone?

After a long while, Nicholas returned wearing fresh, dry clothes. He approached the bedside hesitantly, looking at Eugenie with considerable guilt. "I didn't mean to. I was already planning to go to the bathroom, but you suddenly grabbed me and wouldn't let me leave. I couldn't hold back for a moment and..."

Eugenie threw the pillow he'd brought over last night at him. Her tone held no reproach, only helplessness. "I was asleep—I didn't know. How could you be like that? Besides, your reaction makes it hard not to think you've been fantasizing about this for a long time."

Nicholas rubbed his nose, his words somewhat guilty. "It has been a while."

Seeing her turn her back, unwilling to acknowledge him, and not wanting to be dumped after one day as boyfriend, he climbed onto the bed to pull her into his arms and coax her, swearing earnestly that he would respect her wishes from now on.

The truth was, after marriage, Eugenie discovered that men's promises made in bed really couldn't be trusted. When he got going, he was utterly relentless.

But those were stories for later. After some intimate whispering, both got out of bed to wash up. Hand in hand, they came downstairs, leaving the two elderly folks sunbathing in the courtyard staring wide-eyed.

"Your progress is lightning-fast! You're together already?" Xanthe stared at their intertwined fingers and asked directly.

Nicholas didn't answer but looked at Eugenie instead, clearly meaning he'd follow her lead.

Though there'd been a small incident this morning, she was still willing to give him a chance to reform and gave him official status.

"Yes! I confessed first and he agreed. Now he's my legitimate boyfriend. Before we leave, if you have any heavy work, feel free to boss him around."

To make a good impression on the elderly couple, Nicholas proactively offered. "That's right, Grandma. If you need anything, just ask me. I'm strong."

Chase commented sarcastically from the side, "The girl had to be the one to confess. What use are you?"

Xanthe, seeing him kill the mood, gave his chest a smack and looked at the attractive couple before her, nodding with satisfaction. "I have to say, my granddaughter has excellent taste—finding herself such a handsome boyfriend."

Eugenie glanced at him, her tone quite proud. "Of course. When you meet a handsome one, you've got to act fast. Just look at who my grandma is—I learned from her."

She had Xanthe laughing non-stop. "Such a sweet talker."

After formally meeting the two elders in his new capacity, Nicholas pulled her outside for a walk. Eugenie thought of something and shook his hand.

"The day before yesterday, Mr. Mason Grayson called to apologize. He already knows about Bernard. According to him, he's planning to give up on Bernard and groom another child in the family as heir."

Nicholas agreed completely after hearing this. "With that reckless personality of his, if the family were handed to him, it would fall apart sooner or later."

Eugenie didn't disagree. Remembering how he'd fallen asleep instantly last night, she took the initiative to show concern. "Is the situation with your second uncle resolved?"

"Pretty much. I've dismantled his faction. I just don't know if the car accident has anything to do with him. If it does, I won't let him off." Nicholas's tone couldn't help revealing some ruthlessness, but he quickly reined it in. "The annoying stuff is handled. From now on, we'll just live our own good life together."

Eugenie asked curiously, "How long do you think we'll be together?"

"A lifetime, of course."

—The End—