Chapter 98 Chapter 98
At some point, Vito appeared, standing not far behind them with his arms crossed. A mocking smile played on his lips as he watched the two of them like a spectator at a show.
Grace gave him a fleeting glance and ignored him. She calmly asked Benjamin, "What do you want?"
Benjamin's expression darkened slightly. Still gripping Grace's wrist, he glanced at Vito before instructing Michael, who had followed them, to see Vito out. "Michael, see Vito out."
Michael nodded and signaled an attendant to take Vito's luggage. He then politely addressed Vito, "Shall we?"
Vito, however, remained rooted to the spot. He scrutinized Grace from head to toe, his gaze drifting over their clasped wrists before shifting back to Benjamin. With a faint, ambiguous smile, he asked, "Ben, if I'm not mistaken, this is Ms. Hill, right? What's this? You've taken up playing yourself?"
Grace felt Benjamin's grip on her wrist tighten. As he loosened his hold to turn away, she quickly clasped his hand in hers.
He turned to look at her. She offered him a faint smile, shook her head gently, and said, "It's unnecessary. Just take me home."
She tugged on his arm, pulling him toward the exit. Benjamin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately complied and followed her out.
They headed to the parking lot to get the car. He opened the passenger door for her, helped her into the vehicle, and then moved to the driver's seat.
Neither spoke until they entered the city. Finally, Grace broke the silence, asking, "Do you have time? If you do, could you accompany me to the supermarket? I haven't bought any Christmas items yet."
He didn't answer, but he steered the car into the underground parking lot of a large supermarket. Once the car came to a stop, Grace unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to get out. Suddenly, he grabbed her and leaned in to kiss her. Grace froze for a moment, not struggling. She sat quietly, accepting his kiss.
Benjamin only kissed her and made no further advances. After a long moment, he released her and murmured, "I'm sorry, Grace."
Grace raised an eyebrow in surprise, then she said in a light tone, smiling, "You scared me. I thought you were going to have car sex again.”
He didn't laugh; he just watched her silently before saying, "Never again."
she asked deliberately. "Never have car sex again, or never force me to have car sex again? Benjamin, you should know those two things are completely different.”
Her playful, adorable expression instantly melted the anger in his heart. He leaned in, gave her a quick kiss, and replied, "I won't force you. From now on, whatever you want, I'll give it to you.”
He got out of the car and walked around to help her. She picked up on his words and asked, "Really? Whatever I want?"
His movement paused at her words. Leaning against the car door, he watched her with slightly narrowed eyes and countered, "What do you want?"
She curved her lips into a playful smile. "Your life."
He chuckled and stepped closer, pressing her gently against the car door. With a suggestive hip thrust, he looked down at her from above. His voice was deep and husky. "In bed, maybe? Anywhere else? No."
She froze, her cheeks flushing instantly. She pushed him away forcefully and took a few steps back, murmuring reproachfully, "Rascal."
He chuckled, closed the car door, took her hand, and led her out. He asked nonchalantly, "What do you want to buy?"
In fact, she had no desire to shop. Luring him away was merely a way to prevent him from dwelling on the earlier incident. Grace couldn't care less how Vito viewed her, nor did she intend to stir up trouble between them. She simply wanted to find the right moment to slip away, unwilling to waste any energy on irrelevant matters.
She certainly didn't want to invite any extra trouble, either.
With Christmas approaching, the supermarket was packed, and everyone radiated festive cheer. Benjamin pushed the shopping cart behind Grace. At first, he felt a bit awkward, but he gradually relaxed. Watching Grace shop, a smile crept onto his face. Occasionally, he reached out to help her grab items from the top shelves.
When they reached the checkout line, he reached for his wallet to pay, but she pushed his hand away. "I'll handle it."
He paused, glanced at her, and smiled. Without arguing, he stepped back to give her space. Then, with a long arm, he nonchalantly grabbed several boxes of condoms from a nearby shelf and tossed them into the cart.
She paused midway through reaching for her wallet when she caught his teasing gaze fixed on her.
She shot him a look, tucked her wallet away, and said, "Actually, you pay."
He couldn't resist teasing her back. "Don't be so stingy."
Frustrated, she shot him a glare but ignored him. She walked ahead to the checkout counter, stood there with her head down, and organized her purchases.
Unexpectedly, he called out to her again. She looked up to see him standing at the register, holding up two boxes of different condoms. With a serious expression, he asked, "Grace, which one do you prefer?"
Grace was still dumbfounded and unable to react. The cashier, who had witnessed the entire scene, couldn't help but stifle a chuckle. Noticing Benjamin glance at her, she quickly lowered her head and apologized to him.
Benjamin, in an unusually good mood, smiled and said, "It's okay. My girlfriend is just easily embarrassed."
In that moment, Grace desperately wanted to yell, "Fuck you!" at him, but she said nothing. She lowered her head again, tossed several large shopping bags into the cart, and pushed it toward the exit.
Seeing that she was genuinely annoyed, Benjamin dared not tease her further. He quickly paid by card and hurried after her.
He finally caught up to her at the exit and grabbed her arm from behind.
Grace suppressed her disgust, turned to face him, and said sternly, "Benjamin, you need to understand that some jokes are playful in private but make me very uncomfortable in public."
Her words were harsh, and Benjamin felt embarrassed. Since he was the one who had made the mistake in the first place, though, he couldn't really get angry about it. He pursed his lips and said, "I'll be more careful in the future."
Seeing his displeasure, Grace didn't want to waste energy on a petty cold war over this minor issue. She lifted her chin slightly and gestured for him to take the shopping cart. "You push it. My wrist is a bit sore."
Benjamin silently took the cart. She naturally slipped her arm through his and walked a few steps before suddenly whispering, "Which kind did you buy?"
Benjamin froze for a moment, instantly realizing that she was teasing him. Though his expression remained stiff, the corners of his mouth turned up involuntarily. He glanced at her, delighted by her exquisite features. Slowing his pace, he leaned close to her ear and answered with a mischievous grin, "The thinnest and largest kind."
Grace flushed and pinched the tender flesh inside his arm hard. "Shameless!" she murmured.
He merely chuckled, reaching out to capture her hand. He held it and pressed it onto the shopping cart handle as he pushed it alongside her. Their quarrel dissolved, and their interaction now felt more like that of a couple. For the first time in his life, Benjamin tasted what it was like to be with a lover. He wanted to stay close to her, cling to her, and even just holding her hand filled him with joy.