Chapter 551 Between Passion and Restraint
When Nicole opened the door, her cheeks still carried a delicate flush of rose.
Theron slipped off his coat, hanging it casually on the entryway hook before drawing Nicole into his arms and capturing her lips in a tender kiss.
"Theron."
He pressed her gently against the console table, pausing to study her eyes as his Adam's apple bobbed. "Mrs. Voss, it's time for our date."
Nicole tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with delicate fingers. "I still have a few finishing touches to make. Let me brew you some coffee first, then we can go out for dinner once I'm done."
Theron's blue eyes held depths that made Nicole's cheeks burn crimson. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze—every time she looked into those eyes, memories of last night flooded back, sending her pulse racing.
While she prepared the coffee, Theron wandered through her apartment, including her bedroom, where a family portrait on the nightstand caught his attention—the Windsor family, all six members, including Oliver. The photograph appeared to be from over a decade ago, when Nicole was still in her teenage years, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jacob in what seemed like perfect harmony.
"What are you looking at?" Nicole appeared in the bedroom doorway, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. Her expression darkened when she noticed the frame in Theron's hands.
"Middle school, I'd guess?" Theron set the frame down gently and approached her, accepting the coffee and inhaling its rich aroma. "Blue Mountain?"
Nicole nodded. "I asked Eulalia—she told me it's your favorite."
"Thoughtful of you." Theron savored a sip, finding it perfectly prepared.
While she painted, he settled into the small living room sofa, handling business matters on his phone. He didn't rush into passionate embraces—they were truly husband and wife now, with a lifetime ahead for love and intimacy. In this regard, Theron remained rather traditional.
Occasionally, his gaze would drift to Nicole as she worked. She possessed a delicate beauty that became luminous when passion overtook her, her skin glistening like crystal.
Though Theron wasn't typically driven by desire, last night he'd found himself unable to resist her again and again, each encounter leaving him thoroughly satisfied. Just moments ago, it wasn't lack of want that held him back, but consideration for her tender state.
He was six years her senior. Even though she was a mature woman, in Theron's eyes she remained his precious girl, deserving of gentle care.
Nicole set down her brush and looked up, unexpectedly meeting Theron's intense gaze. The desire flickering in his depths wasn't lost on her—she was no naive girl anymore. Biting her lip softly, she murmured, "Let's go to dinner first."
Theron wore a pristine white shirt that emphasized his refined, steady presence. His eyes held that unmistakable masculine hunger as he asked with deliberate ambiguity, "And after dinner? Your place or mine?"
Though they'd shared one night of passion, Nicole maintained her feminine reserve, unable to speak so directly. "You can bring me back here. I'll stay tonight."
Having teased her enough, Theron rose with a gentle laugh, approaching to stroke her hair with tender affection. "I'm being considerate, you know."
Nicole thought him incorrigible, though Theron considered himself the picture of restraint—if he weren't, he'd already have swept her into the bedroom to personally help her change. But they were newly wed in truth; there would be time for everything.
He released her with reluctant gentleness, and Nicole hurried to change clothes.
When she emerged, she wore a black turtleneck sweater paired with a starry mermaid skirt and sleek black heels. Her cloud-like hair was loosely pinned at the nape of her neck, creating an elegant silhouette that showcased her graceful figure and luminous complexion.
Theron's gaze tightened with barely restrained desire. He almost regretted his restraint—he should have kept her in bed.
But Nicole playfully complained of hunger, initially planning to take him for street food. However, halfway there, she spotted a familiar restaurant and suggested softly, "Let's eat here instead."
What she hadn't anticipated was encountering Oliver and Sarah at the very same establishment.