Nina was startled and struggled, trying to get off him.
Caleb Rhodes’s expression was cold and grim. He clamped both of her wrists together with one hand, immobilizing her completely. She had no choice but to let him carry her into the walk-in closet.
Ever since Nina had fallen ill, Caleb hadn’t forced her to do anything, not even once during her ti in the hospital. Aside from the occasional kiss, he had been nothing but doting.
He even indulged her occasional little tantrums, worried that if she got upset, it would take her a while to feel better again.
But the mont they got ho, Nina sensed sothing was wrong.
From the ti they got back yesterday to now, he had already pinned her down for a kiss several tis. He was so forceful it felt like he was trying to devour her whole. ’It would be a lie to say I’m not scared.’
She had felt it last night, too, as they were sleeping. His body was burning hot. If she hadn’t pretended to be asleep, there was no telling what might have happened.
Neither of them had ntioned what happened that night.
But just because they didn’t speak of it didn’t an it hadn’t happened, and it certainly didn’t an the matter was settled.
She knew it wasn’t over, but she would evade it for as long as she could. She would never forget the taste of that pain for the rest of her life.
Now, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, the fear in Nina’s heart resurfaced.
The mont Caleb Rhodes set her down on a small stool in the walk-in closet, she hopped off and tried to bolt.
But before she could take two steps, Caleb grabbed her by the collar and hauled her back.
He stared down at her small, fearful face, his tone cold. "What are you running for?"
His gaze was dark and heavy, filled with sothing Nina couldn’t—and didn’t want to—understand. Her scalp prickled with fear, and a faint, phantom ache began to spread through her body.
She barely dared to et Caleb’s eyes. Lowering her head, she mumbled, "I... I just don’t want to go out anymore. I’ll go paint!"
With that, she turned to run again.
But there was no escape.
Caleb Rhodes trapped her on the stool, planting his hands on the wall behind her.
He reached out and gripped her small chin. "Nina Wynn, what are you avoiding?"
His voice was cold and grim, laced with displeasure.
The space was small, and Caleb’s unique, crisp scent of cedar was overpowering.
Nina felt like she was suffocating. The unbearable mories of that night crept back, hazy but persistent. She barely dared to raise her head, but she knew she had to answer.
She bit her lip and said softly, "I’m not. I just don’t feel like going out anymore."
Caleb stared at her lips for a mont, and his eyes darkened further.
His other hand wrapped around her small waist. He lowered his head, moving slowly toward her face, and whispered, "And why is that?"
He was too close. His warm, humid breath washed over her, fraying her every nerve.
’He’s just so aggressive,’ Nina thought. ’Even his scent, his very presence, feels like an invasion. It always makes want to run and hide.’
But she couldn’t get away. Steeling herself, she said, "I just don’t want to. There’s no reason."
Seeing her defiance, Caleb narrowed his eyes, grabbed the back of her head, and kissed her.
It was an aggressive kiss, forceful and domineering. Nina could only endure it.
This kiss was different from the ones before. It was utterly predatory, without a hint of tenderness.
Nina didn’t respond.
In truth, before that night, she had been slowly learning to respond to him. But after what happened, everything had gone back to square one. In fact, her resistance was even stronger than before.
But Caleb wouldn’t accept that.
’She is mine,’ he thought. ’When the ti cos, she should naturally submit to .’
And now that he had tasted her sweetness, his craving was all the more intense.
’She is my mate, born for . All that nonsense about not being a match is just an excuse to run away.’
After a mont, Nina sensed sothing was wrong and began to struggle.
She tried to push Caleb away, but he was immovable. Her resistance only earned her a harsher punishnt.
Her hands were pinned behind her back, her head forced back, leaving her no choice but to endure his insatiable demands.
Fortunately, Caleb didn’t plan on devouring her today. After a while, he released her.
His eyes were dark, his voice dangerously hoarse. His fingers traced her lips, which were now swollen and red from his kiss.
"Nina Wynn, it’s useless to think about escaping. You’d be better off spending that energy thinking about how to please ."
Nina felt like she had been deprived of oxygen. She took a few deep breaths, and the rise and fall of her chest slowly returned to normal.
Just then, Caleb selected an outfit and held it out to her. "Wear this."
The coat was a long, crescent-white down jacket with a soft, white fur trim around the hood. Its hem reached below her knees.
It was a simple, minimalist design, clearly chosen for warmth.
The outfit underneath was much prettier—a little light-blue wool dress and jacket set, in a color and style she loved. It made her skin look as pale as milk.
Nina didn’t have strong opinions about clothes, but she really didn’t want to go out anymore.
Because Caleb had also changed into casual wear, clearly planning to accompany her.
He was wearing a high-quality gray overcoat over a light-colored turtleneck sweater. The aura of a business elite had faded sowhat, replaced by the more aloof and distinguished air of a young master from a noble family.
The black watch that peeked out from his cuff added to his steady, restrained deanor.
The clothes themselves weren’t overtly luxurious, but on him, they made the entire walk-in closet feel like a fashion runway.
Nina had never denied Caleb Rhodes’s good looks. ’He’d probably look handso even in a burlap sack,’ she thought.
Besides, she appreciated beautiful things.
As he stood before her, she found she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
After a few more glances, she forced her gaze away.
Caleb sized her up as well. The longer he looked, the more his eyes darkened.
Then, he reached out, cupped the back of her head, and leaned in for another kiss.
After a mont, he released her. He lifted her back onto the small stool, slipped a pair of soft, white lambskin boots onto her feet, and said flatly, "A new shopping plaza opened in the West End. We’ll go see if there’s anything you like."
Although all her necessities were always prepared for her in advance, he’d heard that young won enjoyed trendy little trinkets. If that desire was suppressed for too long, they might secretly find ways to satisfy it.
He didn’t really understand what young won liked, but he was beginning to understand Nina’s disposition.
She was the type to be outwardly compliant but secretly rebellious.
As it happened, that shopping center in the West End was having its grand opening today. Since he was a major shareholder, he could check on its progress at the sa ti.
With that said, he didn’t wait to see if she was willing. He just picked her up and headed out.
When they arrived, Nina was stunned by the sight of the new shopping center.
It was the largest mall she had ever seen, and it looked incredibly upscale. The dazzling billboards for high-end luxury brands alone were enough to overwhelm the senses.
Naturally, the place was packed. In the bustling crowd, Caleb Rhodes stood out. They had only walked a short distance before a few bold young won approached to ask for his number.
The less courageous ones decided to try their luck with Nina instead.
While Caleb was taking a call off to the side, soone sidled up to Nina. "Hey, little miss," the person said, trying to be friendly. "Who’s that guy? Is he your uncle?"
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