Chapter 23 Almost Lost Control
Susan smiled even more happily. "Okay, okay, I won't disturb you two anymore. Get some rest early."
With that, she handed him the fruit plate and gave him a push!
Just like that, Alex was caught off guard and went straight through the door.
Well, no need to hesitate anymore.
Alex pressed his thin lips together and walked straight into the room carrying the fruit plate.
Emily heard the door open and her heart suddenly tightened. She instinctively closed her eyes.
It was too late to do anything now.
The tablet and stylus were still in the same position as before. Emily tried to keep her breathing steady, pretending to be asleep.
She really didn't have the courage to face the awkwardness of being alone with Alex.
At this moment, only a warm yellow bedside lamp was on in the room.
Alex walked to the bedside, his gaze falling on her peaceful sleeping face, his thin lips slightly pressed together.
These past days, she had either been arguing with him with red-rimmed eyes, or coldly keeping him at a distance.
Seeing her so quiet and gentle now, he found himself unable to look away.
Under the lamplight, her skin was fair, her features delicate yet with a touch of fragility.
Alex reached out his hand, his fingertips hovering above her cheek. After hesitating for a few seconds, he ultimately didn't let them fall.
He turned to place the fruit plate on the table and casually turned off the tablet.
Naturally, he didn't see Emily's slightly trembling eyelashes.
When Alex turned back around, he tucked the covers around her and brushed the strands of hair by her cheek behind her ear.
His fingertips, with their thin layer of calluses, inadvertently brushed against her earlobe, making Emily's heart tremble again.
Alex's movements were gentle, with a tenderness even he himself hadn't noticed.
Emily's mind was in complete chaos.
Was this deliberately put on to make Grandma happy... or just a momentary impulse?
But then, the faint scent of tobacco at her nose drew closer.
Emily resisted the urge to move away and continued pretending to sleep, but her heart beat faster and faster.
He wouldn't do anything inappropriate, would he?
She had just gotten pregnant, the baby wasn't stable yet, she couldn't take any risks.
And Alex, looking at her peaceful sleeping face, could barely control himself.
Longing surged in his deep eyes as the distance between them gradually closed.
Just as he was about to touch her lips, Emily suddenly opened her eyes and pushed him away forcefully. "Alex, what are you doing?"
Alex was pushed back a step. Looking up, he met the rejection in the woman's eyes.
His eyes suddenly darkened. Did she really not want any contact with him?
Emily sat up, clutching the blanket tightly around her, looking at him warily. "If this is to put on a show for Grandma, we're already in the room, you don't need to act anymore. If you need to satisfy your physical needs, I think Grace would be more than happy."
Her words were like a thorn, stabbing straight into Alex's heart.
Alex's face darkened as he approached the bed step by step, his tall figure instantly looming over her. "Emily, what are you pretending now? You weren't this resistant before."
"What, haven't you missed me at all during this time?"
The strong sense of oppression almost made Emily unable to breathe.
But she was even more ashamed and angry. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Alex, you bastard!"
Alex looked at her reddening eyes, the irritation in his heart growing stronger. He threw the pillow aside and went straight to the bathroom.
The room quieted down. Emily was breathing slightly heavily, leaning against the headboard.
Listening to the sound of water in the bathroom, her feelings were mixed.
She didn't know how long it had been when Alex came out wearing a bathrobe, cold air still clinging to him.
Emily had her back to him, her lips pressed tight.
He had actually taken a cold shower.
The room fell into a deathly silence. Neither of them spoke.
In the end, Emily didn't even know when she fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Emily moved uncomfortably in her sleep.
Something hard kept poking at her waist.
No matter how she positioned herself, she was uncomfortable, so she simply reached out to grab it.
As a result, a burning temperature came through, and she suddenly woke up.
The next second, Emily's face instantly flushed red, her whole body stiff and not daring to move.
That burning sensation came through the thin fabric, and why was she sleeping in Alex's arms?
Emily struggled to get up, but Alex woke up and pulled her back into his embrace.
Looking at the woman's panicked face and reddening eyes, Alex's eyes darkened.
At this moment, their bodies were pressed tightly together, the air filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.
Alex's arm tightened, his body's instinct making him want to get closer to her, to possess her.
"Don't..." Emily felt his movement and immediately struggled to get away.
But this soft whimper made the man's breathing hitch.
Then, his thin lips kissed her neck.
The silk nightgown slipped from her shoulder, revealing her snow-white, delicate skin.
Emily's eyes became hazy for a moment, but she quickly came to her senses. "No!"
"Alex, stop! I can't..."
With that, she immediately used force with her hands.
She couldn't take risks, couldn't let the baby be harmed in any way!
However, Alex's solid chest didn't budge. His broad palm had already grasped her slender waist.
Emily cried anxiously. "Alex, don't touch me!"
Suddenly, Alex's aggressive movements paused.
His thin lips had already kissed her tears, the slightly cool temperature making him instantly sober.
Alex looked at the tears all over her face and the fear in her eyes, feeling like something had stabbed hard into his heart.
His eyes turned cold, desire fading completely. Then he let go and turned to sit up.
He didn't look at Emily once and went straight to the bathroom.
With a muffled sound, the bathroom door was closed, completely separating the two of them.
Emily curled up on the bed hugging her knees, tears falling uncontrollably.
Just now, she had really been terrified.
She could feel Alex's restraint, and she could also feel his desire.
But she couldn't, and didn't dare respond.
The sound of washing up came from the bathroom and soon stopped.
Five minutes later.
Alex came downstairs wearing a black suit, his angular face restored to its usual cold hardness, as if the ambiguity and loss of control from earlier had never happened.
He didn't say a word to Emily, didn't even look at her once.
The moment the door closed, Emily breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew that between her and Alex, things had long since frozen to the breaking point.
Only then did Emily slowly get up. "Phew..."
After a simple wash, she went downstairs. Susan should have breakfast ready by now.
For the baby's sake, she had to ensure balanced nutrition at every meal.
However, just as she reached the corner of the stairs, Emily immediately saw the man sitting at the dining table with a cold face.
He hadn't left yet?
Emily frowned, even her steps becoming heavy.
She didn't say anything and walked straight to the dining table, deliberately choosing a seat farther from Alex.
The breakfast was very much to her taste.
Emily picked up her knife and fork and ate slowly and methodically.
Alex's face was even more frighteningly dark, the cold air emanating from him stronger than the air conditioning.