CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: HE WANTS SOMETHING SWEET

The car was parked in the underground garage.

Sophia Lowell tried hard to adjust her mindset, doing her best not to embarrass herself too much.

After getting out of the car, the housekeeper pushed two suitcases ahead towards the villa.

"I’m sorry, Zane Sterling."

Sophia stood by the car, watching him take out their coats from the car, draping them over his arm, while holding a wilting plum blossom.

"Why are you apologizing? Are you trying to get back with him?" He tilted his head slightly to look at her, his gaze was somber.

This woman even looks beautiful when she cries.

Pale pink nose tip, with eyebrows and cheeks tinted with blush, looked as if they were dusted with rouge, delicate and charming.

"No." She shook her head.

"That’s good." His brow relaxed as he turned to head towards the elevator.

Sophia hurriedly followed, pressing the elevator, "I’m afraid he’ll cause trouble for you, he’s a persistent person."

She subtly looked up at the tall man.

Before, she thought Henry Quinn was steadfast in his love, pursuing her persistently until she agreed to be together. Now it seems, this kind of love suffocates.

The man tilted his head, looking down at her, "Mrs. Sterling, I don’t think you truly understand your husband."

Sophia indeed did not understand him; she only knew he was her boss, husband, very wealthy, and beyond that, seemed like she knew nothing.

This statement threw her into chaos.

She remembered what Henry Quinn had said to her just earlier.

Would he really tire of her? Would someone of his status truly choose her?

He had openly and secretly made several ’invitations,’ but she did not dare to even let him ’sip the soup.’

Would the man before her also be like Henry Quinn, because she still wasn’t ready for ’deep exchanges,’ and go seek someone else he slightly fancied, repeating the cycle?

"What are you thinking about?" Zane Sterling.

The elevator on the second floor had long arrived; the door opened and closed.

Zane Sterling took her hand, caressing it.

Her hand was cold, her complexion not well, like a little white rabbit just rescued from drowning.

"Nothing." She snapped out of it, just about to walk out when Zane Sterling placed the flowers onto his arm holding the clothes, then with the other hand lifted her up single-handedly.

"Ah!" She screamed in fright, instinctively clinging tightly to his neck, her softness pressing against his handsome face.

Sleek strands of hair grazed across his cheek, leaving a trace of fragrance.

Sophia’s chest heaved in fear, while he didn’t even take a deep breath.

The elevator closed again.

For the first time, Sophia looked down at him.

His ear tips were flushed red, veins bulged prominently on his forehead, his face was pressed against her chest in an extremely embarrassing position.

She cautiously loosened, attempting to distance herself, her small hands resting on his shoulder, tightly clutching his clothing.

He said nothing, and she didn’t dare to ask.

The elevator door opened.

He walked out with steady steps, heading towards the room.

The clothes and flower were placed on the sofa, and the hold on her turned into a princess carry.

"Zane Sterling..." She shakily grasped his clothes, tremulously calling his name.

"Mm." Zane Sterling carefully placed her on the bed, bending down to look at the beauty in front of him, "You have work tomorrow, wash up and sleep early."

A warm kiss landed on her forehead.

"Alright." She slowly let go.

He patted her head, then walked into the study.

Sophia gazed at the white ceiling, somewhat lost.

His attitude today was different; since seeing Henry Quinn, his gaze was something Sophia had never seen before—dark.

Was it because she spoke a few more words with Henry Quinn?

Her heart twisted, calming her emotions.

After a long struggle, she went to the dressing room and dug out a nightgown from the bottom of the cabinet, one she used to wear while renting.

She had many, gifts from businesses Hugh Irving had collaborated with, with little fabric, mostly strap styles, longest reaching the thighs, shortest to the leg roots.

She bit her lip, squeezed her eyes shut, randomly grabbed one, then walked into the bathroom.

"..."

Unfortunately, she picked one that reached the leg roots, barely covering her panties, with a strap top, no padding, and cut-out back.

She stood before the mirror looking at herself, feeling a nervousness akin to going to the battlefield.

She patted her flushed face, silently cheering herself on inside.

"Whew—"

She opened the bathroom door, heading towards the study.

He was typing at the computer, three buttons undone at the chest, black tie loosened and twisted to one side, sleeves rolled up to just below his elbow.

The custom-tailored suit accentuated his firm muscles, even the lines of his trousers showcased perfectly.

He looked extremely relaxed, unusually casual.

The room echoed with the clatter of the keyboard, characters danced along to his long fingers, heedless of Sophia’s arrival.

Until she stood beside his chair, half a meter away.

His gaze shifted from the keyboard to her, his hands abruptly halting.

In this moment, the heat in him surged like headless flies in chaos, desires ignited instantly.

The intense reaction bewildered him, his fingers slightly clenched over the keyboard, hand veins twisted and standing out starkly.

His Adam’s apple rolled instantly, even his arm veins were holding back intensely.

She didn’t know, even clad in a coat without showing anything, her charm could incite such impulses.

Much less this scanty fabric, which would disappear with a simple tear.

He forced himself to retract his gaze, slowly stood up, took the jacket off the chair, draped it over her shoulders, and turned her around.

Sophia was startled by his actions.

She dared not move, the two hot palms on her shoulders radiated warmth, heat spreading from her shoulders across her whole body.

What did he mean?

Sophia only felt the force on her shoulders tightening.

It hurt...

He was holding back.

"Zane Sterling..." She paused, her breathing felt tremulous, her whole being trembled.

"I’m ready..."

Her voice was weak, felt as if it had already begun, an enticing charm gently emitted.

Zane Sterling knew what she meant, but it wasn’t right—

Had it been a few days ago, he’d have pinned her on the bed without hesitation, until her legs weakened.

But today...

Today he hadn’t heard what Henry Quinn said to her but deduced from lip-reading, he knew clearly.

This woman was afraid now, fearing she’d be abandoned, fearing Zane Sterling was just temporarily interested, hence eager to step forward and show her stance.

This wasn’t what he wanted.

If they began now, she would see him as that kind of person, unrelated to love.

And Zane Sterling wanted love, so much love!

He had painstakingly brought this woman by his side, not wishing her to feel bound by him.

"Today... it’s not right... I might still need to work overtime, you rest first." Zane Sterling pushed her back into the room, then turned back to the study, resuming his seat at the computer desk.

He covered his face with both hands, internally conflicted.

Forced sharing isn’t sweet, but it quenches thirst.

He knew, but he wanted sweetness.

Sophia stood in place, gripping her clothes tighter.

She felt somewhat pleased, yet not pleased, seemed like displeasure outweighed a little more, why?

She curled back into the bed, huddled in a corner, feeling distressed, more than leaving Henry Quinn.

Silently, she chastised herself.

Could it be her charm wasn’t enough?

Or was he already tired before it even began?

Her chest felt stuffy in waves, and for unknown reasons, tears traced down her nose, dropping onto the sheet, disappearing thereafter.

Uncertain when, she fell asleep.