Chapter 30~THE NIGHT I COULDN'T LET GO

Chapter 30~THE NIGHT I COULDN'T LET GO
~Nathan’s POV

Three days without Cherry felt like hell. I missed her like crazy. Sure, we talked every day on the phone, but it wasn’t enough. I needed to see her, touch her, breathe her in. I’d never imagined I could fall in love like this so sudden, so reckless, so consuming. Honestly, it was driving me insane.

I couldn’t wait for her to come to me. No! I had to go to her. With my cap low and mask on, I headed straight to her campus. I texted her just before I got there, and the shock in her reply almost made me laugh.

When I finally saw her, my chest loosened. “Why are you here? People may notice you,” she whispered, worry lacing her tone.

“Didn’t I tell you before? I don’t care about people,” I whispered back, pulling her into my arms, hugging her like my life depended on it.

“Be careful, Nathan,” she breathed softly against my chest.

I chuckled, petting her hair. “Didn’t you miss me?”

“I missed you, dummy,” she mumbled, slapping my back playfully.

I grinned and opened the car door for her. But just as I was about to drive, a voice cut through the air.

“Well, well. Isn’t this touching? Should I film this?”

Tasha, of course!

She smirked, walking toward us. My blood boiled.

“Don’t do something stupid,” I warned sharply.

“Why not? Afraid it’ll ruin your precious career? Or will you finally break up with this witch?” She rolled her eyes at Cherry.

My grip tightened on the wheel. “Careful with your words. That ‘witch’ is my girlfriend.”

Without giving her another glance, I turned on the engine and sped off.

I caught Cherry’s reflection in the side mirror. Her face had gone pale.

“Are you okay?” I asked gently.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?” she said with a forced smile.

I frowned. “Stop smiling like that—you’re scaring me.” I pulled her head onto my shoulder, trying to reassure her.

“I’m fine, Nathan,” she whispered.

“You’re more than fine. You’re mine,” I said firmly, and she giggled softly.

To cheer her up, I asked, “Wanna go somewhere before you head home?”

She hesitated. “Where? Everyone’s watching you… what if they see us?”

And then it clicked. That’s what had her so shaken. She was scared of being seen again.

“Let’s go to my place,” I said with a small smile.

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“To my house.”

Her blush was instant. “Why?”

I laughed. “What are you imagining, Cherry?”

“I’m not imagining anything, Nathan!” she said quickly, turning her face away.

I smirked, kissing her hand. “So cute.”

By the time we arrived, my maid had already laid out lunch like I’d asked. Cherry’s eyes widened as she stepped inside.

“You’re welcome, princess,” I said proudly.

“Wow! You prepared this?”

“Are you that moved?” I teased.

“YES!” she exclaimed, grinning as she admired the food.

“Want me to feed you?” I teased again.

“Leave me alone,” she giggled, diving into the food.

I didn’t eat. I just watched her, memorizing every smile, every expression.

“Why aren’t you eating?” she finally asked, frowning.

“Because looking at you fills me up,” I said smoothly.

She had a little stain of sauce left on her lips, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in and removed it with my mouth.

Her eyes went wide. “What?!”

But I wasn’t listening. My focus was locked on her lips. My heart pounded erratically, and without thinking, I pulled her chair closer. Her shy eyes, her parted lips—God, I couldn’t resist.

I leaned in and kissed her, deeply, hungrily. Her lips were addictive, intoxicating. And when she kissed me back with the same fiery passion, I lost control. I lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the couch, kissing her harder, deeper, until I was dizzy.

My lips trailed to her neck, my hands tugging at the zipper of her dress. Her soft breaths drove me wild, but then—

“Nathan… let’s stop,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I can’t hold back anymore,” I confessed, kissing her again, my body burning.

But then I forced myself to pause. The hardest damn thing I’d ever done. I buried my face against her, panting. “You’re cruel,” I murmured, smiling weakly.

She laughed nervously. “O-oh… my mom is probably waiting.”

“You’re not going home tonight,” I said firmly, holding her hand.

Her eyes shot wide. “What?!”

“You don’t understand how much I missed you.” I stared into her soul, my tone unshakable.

“But… my mom—”

“Make up an excuse. I’m not letting you go tonight.”

After a moment of hesitation, she sighed. “Okay… okay.”

I grinned. She called her mom, telling her she was staying at Belinda’s. I couldn’t stop smiling.

“I love you,” I whispered, kissing her gently.

“I love you too,” she smiled back, then quickly looked away. “It’s so hot—I need a shower!”

“Want company?” I teased with a smirk.

“Go away!” she yelped, running upstairs. God, she was adorable.

When she came back out in my shirt, my throat went dry. She looked so damn good, too good. I had to force myself to hurry into the shower just to calm down.

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” she said later, avoiding my eyes.

“Don’t be silly. Go to bed.”

“No, you—”

“Shhh. Unless you want me to change my mind…”

“Fine! I’m sleeping in the bed,” she muttered, pouting.

I smiled, watching her curl up under my covers. But sleep? Impossible. Watching Cherry in my bed, wearing my shirt… it drove me insane. Eventually, I gave in and slipped beside her, wrapping my arms around her from behind.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Sleeping next to my girlfriend. The couch is freezing,” I said innocently.

“Nathan…”

“I’m not doing anything naughty. Stop imagining things,” I chuckled, stroking her hair.

“I’m not imagining anything,” she muttered, turning to face me.

“Good. Now sleep.” I pulled her closer into my chest. She giggled softly, then drifted off, meanwhile I stayed awake all night, restless, my heart refusing to calm down.

The next morning, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing. The noise woke her, so I slipped out quickly before she heard anything.

It was my dad. The second I answered, his voice thundered through the line.

“You’ve lost your mind!” he yelled.

“Why?!” I snapped.

“Come to my house tonight! We’re having dinner with the Hyde family. Don’t be late, we’re finalizing your proposal date with Tasha!”

My world froze. “Dad!” I shouted in disbelief.

But he hung up!