The black Bentley smoothly drove on the road back to the villa.
An air of subtle silence filled the cabin.
Shane Donovan focused on the road ahead, his side profile sharp and cold, his jawline tense, clearly showing that his mood was not as calm as he appeared.
Stella Sterling stole several glances at him, biting her lip, hesitated for a moment, then decided to break the silence, "Um... are you mad?"
Shane didn’t turn around, only his Adam’s apple moved slightly, followed by a noncommittal "hmm" from his throat.
Stella reached out her hand, gently tugged on his shirt sleeve, and shook it, "I didn’t know he would act like that... I was so scared, thank goodness you came."
This girl was rarely so good at comforting others...
Finally, a hint of softness appeared on Shane’s tense face. He turned his head, his deep gaze falling into her clear eyes, reflecting his image within them, and the jealousy and anger in his heart were oddly soothed by more than half, replaced by a curious itch...
"You’re pacifying me with such little sincerity?"
He raised an eyebrow, sharply turning the steering wheel to park the car steadily at the roadside.
"Huh?"
Stella was stunned and hadn’t reacted before she saw Shane had already unbuckled his seatbelt, turned towards her, his deep eyes locked onto her without blinking, as if lit by two dark fires.
"Then what do you want?" Stella’s heart skipped a beat under his gaze, instinctively shrinking back until her back hit the car door.
Without changing his posture, Shane’s fingertips traced up her arm slowly, like a spreading wildfire, finally resting on her slightly flushed earlobe, giving it a gentle pinch.
He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing her ear, his voice low and magnetic, tantalizing her as he coaxed, "Call me brother."
Stella’s face flushed crimson in a rush, even her neck turned a shade of pink.
She glared at him in shame and annoyance, her eyes brimming with reproach, "Shane Donovan! Stop saying nonsense... who’s going to call you brother!"
"You’re not?"
A low chuckle rumbled from Shane’s throat, as if he had anticipated this reaction. He didn’t retreat, instead he moved closer, his nose almost brushing hers, his gaze falling on her slightly parted lips, his eyes darkening, "Then... call me hubby."
"!!!"
"Shane Donovan!" She growled in exasperation, raising her hand to hit him, "You... have you no shame!"
Hubby?
They weren’t even engaged yet!
Looking at her blushing cheeks and her eyes filled with a mix of shame and anger, Shane’s smile deepened.
Effortlessly, Shane caught her small fist as it swung at him, and in one swift motion, pinned both her wrists above her head against the car window.
This position forced her to slightly tilt her head up, exposing her slender, fragile neck and her cheeks colored with red hues.
"No shame?" He chuckled, his handsome face closing in, nose brushing hers, breaths mingling, his tone carrying a certain kind of roguish lure, "How else would I win over my wife?"
The heat of their intertwined breaths made the temperature inside the narrow car space rise abruptly.
Stella was forced to retreat, her back pressing against the cool car window, leaving no room to back down further.
"You... you’ve ruined your image!"
Trapped by him, Stella couldn’t move, she could only glare at him with her watery eyes accusingly, "What happened to the cool and abstinent persona? All lies!"
Upon hearing this, instead of restraining himself, Shane laughed even more freely, the red mole at the corner of his eye red as blooming plum blossoms in the snow, enchanting and captivating.
He lowered his head, using his prominent nose bridge to gently rub against the tip of her nose, the intimate motion causing a flutter in her heart.
"Abstinent?" He repeated the word, his voice deep and husky, "That’s for others."
His lips were almost touching hers, the hot breath brushing over her lips, sending shivers through her.
"For you..." He paused, "it’s only desire."
Finished speaking, he didn’t allow her any time to reply as he leaned down and captured her lips in a searing kiss.
"Mmm..."
The kiss was overwhelmingly domineering and carried a hint of punitive biting, but more so, it was filled with an inextricable longing and possessiveness.
He teased her tongue, indulging in the taste, as if trying to rob her chest of every last breath of air and imprinted her soul with his mark.
Stella’s mind went blank, all her struggles and protests shattered by the intensity of his passionate kiss.
The air became thin, her consciousness gradually blurred, she could only passively bear it, her body softened to the point of collapsing only held up by the force with which he grasped her wrists and steadied her body.
Amidst the disarray of emotions and desires, Stella felt him grasp her hand, and guide it gently until it was pressed against his solid, heated abdomen beneath his shirt.
Through a thin layer of fabric, the distinct rigid feel, carrying an astonishing heat and strength, made Stella’s fingertips tremble with shock, instinctively wanting to pull back her hand, but he held it more firmly.
His lips moved to her ears, breathing heavily, his voice hoarse beyond recognition, tinged with extreme temptation, coaxing repeatedly, "Call me hubby, and I’ll let you feel my abs... hmm?"
His breath hot, sprayed over her most sensitive ear and neck, sending waves of electric tingles.
Under her palm, the tight abdominal lines, next to her ears, his low, magnetic temptation.
Stella only felt so embarrassed as if her face could bleed, all the blood in her body seemed to rush to her head, her ears buzzing.
This rogue!
Bastard!
Old hand!
How could he... how could he say such things so unflinchingly!
"Let go..." Her voice was faint, with a tone of shame and anger, feeling the fingers he held burn.
"I won’t." Shane looked at her with a deepening desire in his eyes like ink that couldn’t be diluted.
Once again he lowered his head, giving her slightly swollen lips a gentle, reassuring kiss, yet it felt more like fanning the flames.
"Stella," he called her, his voice low and tender, filled with endless allure, "Ten days more..."
His lips lingered to her ear, capturing her earlobe, gently nipping and sucking, bringing a rush of overwhelming numbness.
"Ten days is too long..." He sighed softly, his warm breath burrowing into her ear.
"Why don’t..." Shane slightly lifted his head, "we just get married directly?"
"!!!"
"Shane Donovan! Stop fooling around!" She pushed against his firm chest with all her might, breathlessly, "We agreed on engagement! How can we just change it like that!"
Looking at her flushed cheeks and eyes bright with a mix of shame and irritation, like an agitated little bunny, adorable to the point of making one’s heart itch unbearably.
He chuckled softly, the vibration resonating through his chest felt even by Stella still half-held in his embrace, sharing in the joy and... the undeniable heat.
"I’m not joking." His tone was serious, his fingers gently brushing away the damp strands of hair at her cheek, his gaze warm and focused, "You have no idea how long I’ve been awaiting this day..."
— From a mere glance ten years ago, leading up to this moment...
He’s waited too long.