Chapter 41:
The faintest of smiles played on his lips, and his deep, piercing gaze held a tenderness so profound it nearly unraveled her. With just a glance, he seemed to read her every thought, every hesitation, every fear.
Corrine stood frozen, her throat dry, her composure slipping away. She had prepared herself for his anger after her rejection.
But instead, he remained steadfast, patient, and persistent—a hunter who had set his sights on his prey and wasn’t in any rush to claim it. Corrine felt utterly unable to resist the allure of such a man.
Her voice, unsteady but defiant, broke the silence.
“Mr. Hopkins, do you make a habit of being this direct with women?”
His fingers trailed from her chin to her temple, his touch featherlight as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His voice dropped to a whisper, warm and unhurried, grazing her senses like silk.
“You’re the first woman I’ve pursued,” he admitted.
“The only one. And, incidentally, the first to turn me down.”
The honesty in his words sent heat rushing to her cheeks. She cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of control.
“Then I suppose that makes me… ungrateful.”
A flicker of amusement lit his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by something deeper, more resolute.
“Ungrateful, yes,” he murmured, his voice low and laced with irony.
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“But still, the only one who’s ever mattered.”
Her chest tightened, mixed feelings blooming beneath her ribs. After a long silence, she forced herself to take a deep breath, steadying her voice.
“Thank you for the coffee, but I really need to rest now.”
“I’ll walk you back.” His response was simple, almost dismissive of the idea that she could refuse.
As they stepped into the rain-soaked night, Nate pulled off his coat without a word and offered it to her.
She hesitated, but before she could protest, he unfolded it and draped it over her shoulders, the fabric heavy with his warmth and the faint scent of sandalwood.
“You don’t want to catch a cold,” he said softly, his tone gentle but firm.
They walked side by side through the quiet halls, their footsteps gradually falling into sync. Whether it was her adjusting to him or him to her, she couldn’t quite tell.
When they reached the door to her guest room, Corrine turned the doorknob, ready to step inside and escape the tangled emotions swirling around her. But Nate’s hand suddenly covered hers, stopping her in place.
The warmth of his touch spread through her like wildfire, igniting something she couldn’t quite name. Her pulse quickened, her voice faltering.
“What… what do you want to do?”
“Corrine.” Nate’s deep, smooth voice felt like a whispered secret, stirring her heart with emotion.
Corrine’s lips pressed tightly together as she locked eyes with Nate, whose gaze was unfathomably deep. With a slight, significant smile playing on his lips, Nate looked into her eyes with an intensity she found inexplicable.
.
.
.