Chapter 105 Chapter 105
The morning sun filtered through the heavy curtains, bathing the room in a lazy, golden light.
Caroline stirred beneath the silk sheets, blinking slowly. As she turned her face, she discovered that the place beside her was not empty.
Nicholas was still in bed.
As soon as her eyelashes fluttered open, a deep, husky voice sounded above her head: “Good morning, my love.”
She looked up, meeting a pair of dark irises that watched her with predatory tenderness.
The man was lying on his side, his head resting comfortably in one hand, while the other rested possessively on her waist. He looked like a relaxed Greek sculpture, exuding laziness and danger in equal measure.
Before Caroline's brain could process the image, he leaned over, cupped her face, and captured her lips in a slow, lingering morning kiss.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he whispered against her mouth, smiling. “Don't you recognize me anymore?”
Caroline blinked, her mind still clouded by sleep.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw that stunning face inches away. But like a bucket of cold water, memories of the night before flooded her mind.
The confession. His silence. The certainty that he thought she was “dirty.”
She remembered everything.
But... his behavior didn't add up.
Other times, he always woke up and left before her. Today, he was there. Waiting for her. Touching her.
It was a strange feeling. And dangerously good.
Her heart raced, and her instinct to flee took over. She pushed him lightly and tried to get out of bed on the other side.
Nicholas, anticipating her escape, smiled and sat up too.
The black silk robe he wore was loose. During the night, the knot at the waist had come undone, and the fabric slid off his broad shoulders, revealing a tanned, firm, and defined chest.
Caroline froze. The sight of those muscles exposed in the morning light was a direct assault on her senses.
Nicholas noticed her gaze, and his smile widened, becoming devilish.
“Love... am I handsome?” he teased.
Caroline opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Was he flirting? After everything?
Before she could form a sentence, he moved. In a second, that broad, warm chest was millimeters from her nose.
He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating in the air. “It's no fun just looking...” He took her hand. “Want to touch?”
Touch?!
T-Touch what?!
When Nicholas pressed her palm against his chest, over his heart beating fast and rhythmic, Caroline felt as if she had touched a bare wire.
She blushed instantly, from the roots of her hair to her neck.
“N-No!” She tried to pull her hand back.
But Nicholas was faster. He intertwined his fingers with hers, pinning her against his body, and in a fluid movement of one who has mastered the art of war, he reversed their positions.
Suddenly, Caroline was lying on her back, and Nicholas was hovering over her, pinning her to the bed.
She looked up, shocked. “Nicholas, you...”
The man did not let go of her. He guided her hand in slow circles over his pectoral muscles, forcing her to feel the texture of his skin and the strength contained therein.
His eyes, once playful, darkened. The spark of desire ignited like a flame.
“My love, did you sleep well?” he asked, his voice dropping to a deep whisper.
Caroline was lost. Confused.
Why was he acting like this? The desire in those eyes was unmistakable. It was voracious. There was no disgust there.
There was no judgment.
“I...”
Nicholas didn't wait. He released her hand only to lift her chin.
“You went to bed early last night... you must be well rested.” He brushed his nose against her neck, inhaling deeply. “It's still early. We have plenty of time to do some... healthy morning exercises before getting up.”
“Healthy exercises?” she repeated, her voice faltering.
“Mmm.” Nicholas nibbled the sensitive skin below her ear. “Last night, I had urgent matters that interrupted the moment. But now... we can pick up exactly where we left off.”
Since he had decided she was his—past, present, and future—there was no reason to hesitate. He wanted her. And he was going to show her that he didn't care about anything else.
Caroline's eyes widened, panic and excitement mingling.
“W-What did you say?” she stammered.
Didn't he despise her?
Didn't he care about the “stain” on her past?
“My love, I want you.” The declaration was simple, hoarse, and absolute.
Nicholas captured her lips in a kiss that asked for no permission. It was hot, wet, and urgent.
His large, warm hand slid under her pajamas, tracing a path of fire from her waist to her back.
Caroline felt herself melt. His hand felt like a burning ember, setting her skin on fire.
Her body responded against her will, warming, softening under his touch.
“Nicholas...” She moaned against his mouth, her face burning.
That soft sound was the trigger.
Rrrrrippp!
The sound of fabric tearing cut through the silence of the room.
The cold morning air hit Caroline's skin, snapping her out of her trance.
She opened her eyes and saw Nicholas's expression.
The “gentle husband” was gone. In his place was a hungry beast, his eyes clouded with lust, ready to devour her whole.
Caroline felt a chill of primal fear. He seemed too intense. Too big.
“My love, I need you.” Nicholas lowered his head, ready to claim her.
“N-No!”
Her survival instinct (and extreme shyness) took over.
Caroline's expression changed from pleasure to panic. She stretched out her arms, pushing his shoulders with all the strength her thin arms could muster.
Nicholas frowned, confused by her resistance. “Why not? Don't you want to?”
“N-No, it's not that!” she cried desperately. “Not now! Not yet! Nicholas, let go of me!”
With a surge of adrenaline, she pushed him violently.
Nicholas, who was totally focused on seduction and did not expect a physical attack from his petite wife, was caught off guard.
The great CEO of Wolf Company lost his balance. He teetered on the edge of the mattress and almost—almost—fell face-first onto the shaggy rug.
He caught himself at the last second, looking at her with an expression of comical shock.
Caroline didn't wait to see if he was okay.
Taking advantage of the opening, she rolled off the bed, grabbed the comforter, and wrapped herself in it like a human burrito.
Before Nicholas could process what had happened, she was already running across the room, dragging the blanket behind her.
BAM!
The bathroom door slammed shut and the sound of the lock turning echoed through the room.