CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: YOU LIKE

The familiar woody fragrance of the man washed over her, and Zinnia Lawrence recognized him before she could even get a clear look.

She frowned, but Jenson reached out, his large palm coming to rest on her forehead.

"Are you sick? You look so pale, yet you’re still out having dinner with someone."

Last night, Zinnia had soaked in cold water. She hadn’t slept well and was plagued by nightmares.

She was pregnant and had decided to keep the baby, so she hadn’t worn any makeup since. Her complexion was indeed poor, though she was still beautiful.

Zinnia swatted his hand away, her tone cool and detached. "I’m fine. Young Master Forrest, aren’t you also out for dinner despite your busy schedule?"

The moment the words left her mouth, he seized her chin and tilted it up.

She was forced to meet his gaze. The lighting in the corner was dim, and with his head lowered, his handsome face was half-swallowed by shadows. His pupils were like pools of deep black ink, exuding a dangerous aura.

"Young Master Forrest? The number of titles I have for you just keeps growing."

Zinnia gave a fake laugh. "If you don’t like it, I can call you President Forrest instead."

"Choose something nicer, or I’m not letting go."

Zinnia rolled her eyes again. "What’s ’something nicer’?"

Jenson lowered his head until his forehead rested against hers. His deep voice resonated as his warm breath ghosted over the tip of her nose.

He said, "Call me ’husband.’ I want to hear it."

Zinnia wondered if she’d heard him wrong. For two years, he had never acknowledged her as his wife. He wouldn’t let her call him ’brother,’ nor did he want her to call him ’husband.’ Now, when she was seeking a divorce and he was publicly flaunting Crystal Sutton, he wanted her to call him ’husband’ again?

"Are you kidding me, Jenson Forrest?" Zinnia scoffed.

Jenson was extremely displeased with her reaction. He abruptly tilted her face up again and captured her lips in a scorching, punishing kiss.

Since this little mouth only says things I don’t like, I might as well just bite it and devour it!

Jenson Forrest, you bastard!

Zinnia wanted to protest and curse him, but the only sounds that escaped were, "MM-MM... MM-MM-MM!"

He must have been drinking. The taste of red wine spread from his lips. Zinnia realized he had been wining and dining for Crystal Sutton’s sake, and her eyes reddened with anger. She tried to kick him.

He pressed her more tightly against the wall. Zinnia tried to bite him, but he just let out a contemptuous chuckle, his kiss growing even more reckless.

Just as Zinnia was on the verge of tears, she heard the sound of stiletto heels.

Crystal Sutton and Sienna Forrest were approaching!

His mistress is here. This scumbag is about to get what’s coming to him.

With that thought, Zinnia stopped struggling. She even raised her arms to wrap them around Jenson’s neck.

She waited, eager to see Jenson make a fool of himself. She wondered if Crystal Sutton would scratch his face.

But who would have known? Not only did he not panic and push her away, he instead...

Zinnia felt it. Her eyes widened as she listened to the approaching footsteps.

Jenson must be insane. Didn’t he hear someone coming? Or maybe he didn’t know it was Crystal? That had to be it.

Zinnia stiffened, bracing herself for Crystal Sutton’s inevitable screaming fit. However...

The footsteps stopped, then suddenly retreated, frantic as if they were fleeing.

"Ow!" As her mind swam with questions, he bit her tongue.

Jenson finally pulled back, loosening his hold on her slightly.

Zinnia felt weak all over and began to slide down the wall, but he caught her.

Zinnia’s face flushed. She wanted to stand up, but her legs were too weak. She glared at him, a mixture of shame and anger in her eyes.

"You! You..."

Jenson cut her off. "Don’t blame me. Your response was just too damn irresistible."

Zinnia never knew he was so good at twisting things around.

She struggled slightly, and the large hand on her waist tightened in warning.

"Don’t move!"

He was still trying to compose himself, his voice dangerously husky.

Zinnia was mortified. "Shut up!"

A low, impossibly alluring chuckle rumbled in Jenson’s chest.

Zinnia realized that Crystal Sutton and Sienna Forrest had seen everything. Even now, someone could walk down the hallway at any moment. She felt like a shrimp boiling in a pot, her face growing redder by the second.

Fortunately, Jenson quickly helped her stand straight and then took a step back.

Zinnia instinctively looked down, but he raised a hand and covered her eyes.

"And you still dare to look!"

Zinnia’s face grew hotter, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably. They felt like tiny brushes tickling his palm, sending an electric current up his arm.

Lethal.

No one spoke. Only the sound of two breaths, one deep and one shallow, intertwined in the chaotic silence.

After a moment, Zinnia frowned and asked, "Are you calm now?"

Jenson didn’t answer. His gaze was fixed on her. Her face was small, and with his hand covering her large eyes, all he could see was her delicate chin and red lips. She looked so soft and pliant. He didn’t want to let go.

If he let go, she would go back to being that rebellious girl with a delayed rebellious streak, the one who only knew how to infuriate him.

"No," he replied.

Zinnia was speechless. If she’d known he was such an animal, she wouldn’t have flirted back at him earlier.

Thinking of what just happened, she spoke again. "That was Crystal Sutton who came by earlier."

"So what if it was?" Jenson replied nonchalantly.

Zinnia was almost amused by his nonchalance. What does he mean, ’so what’?

"You knew it was her, and you didn’t let go! Aren’t you afraid she’ll get so jealous she’ll tear your face to shreds?" Zinnia sneered.

Only then did Jenson finally remove his hand from her eyes. Their gazes met, and he raised an eyebrow.

"Heh. Isn’t this the excitement you wanted? Besides, you’re the only one who would dare scratch my face. She’s far more sensible."

Zinnia nearly choked. She fiercely raised her hand, ready to actually scratch his face this time.

He caught her wrist. Meeting her furious gaze, he found this lively, spirited expression far more fetching than her usual cold indifference.

Zinnia struggled fiercely. Jenson frowned. "You’re going to tear your wound open again."

Only then did Zinnia realize he was holding her with his injured hand. She paused for a moment before struggling even harder.

"Good! Let it tear open! Then your precious darling can feel sorry for you and put more medicine on it!"

Jenson chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Darling? You’re quite good at flattering yourself."

Zinnia frowned, flushed with anger and embarrassment. "I was talking about Crystal Sutton!"

Jenson’s handsome face darkened. "Stop spouting nonsense. When have I ever let her put medicine on me?"

Zinnia was taken aback. "Didn’t you go to her place last night?"

"I went to the office!" Jenson released her and tapped her on the forehead. It was as if he were scolding her for being a blockhead who always jumped to the wrong conclusions.

Zinnia pressed her lips together, her chest heaving slightly.

If Jenson didn’t go to Crystal’s place, then what was with her social media post? Was it all an act, deliberately posted for me to see? But still, if Jenson hadn’t given her the opportunity, I wouldn’t have misunderstood in the first place. Regardless, Jenson had abandoned her when she was injured last night. He always did this whenever she needed him. So why the hell was he pestering her now?

With that thought, Zinnia shoved Jenson away and stalked off.

Jenson straightened his suit and followed, reaching for her hand. "I’ll take you home."

"Don’t bother!" Zinnia shook his hand off, but he immediately wrapped an arm around her waist.

While they struggled, Crystal Sutton was in the restroom, leaning against a wall with a pale face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sienna Forrest patted her shoulder sympathetically, her tone exasperated. "Crystal, why did you hide? It’s obvious my brother likes you! Zinnia Lawrence was just flirting with him because she knew we were watching. You should have charged in there, pulled her away, and given her a couple of hard slaps!"

Just moments before, Sienna’s eyes had gone wide at the scene. She had been ready to charge forward, but Crystal had clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her back into the restroom.

"Sienna, stop it," Crystal said, though her face was a mask of utter devastation. This was no act; her sorrow was genuine. "It doesn’t matter if your brother likes me. Zinnia is his wife. What they were doing... it’s normal for them. How could I possibly interfere? I have no right to stop them."

She had never imagined that Jenson—a man so cold and aloof, who seemed to live on a higher plane—could be so passionate. She was consumed by jealousy. She wished she could take Zinnia’s place and have him hold and kiss her just like that.

One day, he will.

She wiped her tears, then grasped Sienna’s hand and said earnestly, "Sienna, it’s impossible for me to be happy now, but you have to hold on to your own happiness. Don’t you like First Young Master Hawthorne? You’d better watch him closely. The way he looks at Zinnia is... unusual. Back when he and she almost..."

She stopped abruptly. Sienna asked urgently, "Back then, what almost happened between Alaric and Zinnia?"