Chapter 496

Hannah looped her arms behind Vincent's neck, defiance shimmering in her gaze. "I won't get off."

"If you refuse, I'll be forced to rob you of a kiss!" Vincent warned, his stare predatory.

"And how are you certain I feel like kissing you right now?" She laughed softly, lowering herself to capture his lips wvith gentle intent.

She pried his lips apart without hesitation.

He stiffened briefly and then pressed firmly on her shoulders to shove her away. His breathing faltered, annoyance rising "What game are you playing?!"

"Kiss you." Her eyes were misty with longing as she leaned forward once again, unshaken.

This time, his frame braced with expectation. He commanded himself to stay unmoved, to appear detached. His hand,hanging loosely at his side, coiled into a fist, veins ridging across the back.

Until her cool fingers closed around his tightened fist, guiding it,clasp by clasp, to unfasten her silk blouse, his final trace of restraint dissolved entirely.

All his composure and control were scattered like ashes. The last spark of clarity in his gaze drowned beneath a flood of want. He kissed her with unrestrained force.

He ceased being still, meeting her with consuming fervor. His tongue drove in harshly, robbing her of breath, his broad palm cradling her head, forbidding escape.

He abruptly rolled her beneath him, pinning her into the plush couch. Their bodies pressed close. The warmth of their skin burned through the thin fabric.

The kiss flared hotter and deeper.

He lifted her into his arms, intending to take her to the bedroom. But she clung to him tightly, her eyes faintly reddened. "Let's do it here."

She couldn't suppress it anymore. For the first time since their divorce, she'd unleashed her desires without caution. It was likewise the first moment she realized being fussed over and cared for wasn't unpleasant. She even savored it faintly.

Vincent answered her directly with his deeds. He sealed her mouth again, claiming her with reckless hunger.

The couch ended up in disarray. They forgot time completely,their final memory of Hannah lingering in the bathroom.

She had meant to stop, but Vincent insisted on taking her inside.

At dawn, she awoke, her body sore and strangely tender.

Vincent had risen earlier. He had prepared breakfast for them both.

She entered the dining room, noting his ever-serious expression. "You're still upset," she said as she sat down.

Vincent simply slid a small piece of omelet onto her plate, his tone flat. "Eat first."

The room lapsed into silence once more.

He finished swiftly, then waited for her to end her meal quietly.

After a while, his calm gaze fixed on her. "Are you finished eating?"

"Yes," she responded, holding his eyes.

He leaned back against the chair, fingers interlaced on the table, prepared for a serious talk. "I sayed awake all night,focused on one matter."

Her fingertips tightened slightly.

Vincent studied her, missing no flicker of change on her face."Last night, you started everything. You came with me, kept provoking me. Why?"

Her tone remained airy. "I was trying to appease you."

"Why the sudden urge to appease me?" he pressed, refusing to let her evade.

A faint gleam of amusement touched her eyes. "Because I figured, as a pursuer, you're not terrible."

He leaned closer, elbows resting forward on the table,narrowing the space between them. "In the future, if something occurs, if you plan something,will you tell me?"

He added after a short pause, "I don't want a repeat of last night."

She lowered her eyes, absently pushing at her food with a fork,quiet for a spell. "I'll try," she whispered gently. She was accustomed to deciding and acting alone. Abruptly needing to explain her movements and reasons to another person required adjustment.

He saw her reluctance. He decided to yield slightly but marked his boundary. "Alright. You don't need to inform me of everything. I only want to know if a date is involved in your plan, so I should know ahead of time. Because I don't like the feeling of being let down."

Hannah's lips curved faintly, trying to lighten the heavy mood."But I had already made it up to you last night. Even though it

"But I had already made it up to you last night. Even though it wasn't the hotel we arranged, you still enjoyed yourself,didn't you?"

He scowled. "That's not the same."

"Why not? Is the hotel more thrilling?" She cocked her head,her gaze trailing across his features. "Then we can attempt it next time."

He regarded her in silence.

She chuckled softly, pressing on. "Or do you prefer it at home?"

He lifted the glass from the table, drank slowly, his Adam's apple shifting. After a stretch, as though he'd pondered carefully, he replied in a low voice,"We can try."

Her face brightened with satisfaction.

He rose, beginning to clear the dishes wordlessly.

She,however, moved into the living room,pulling a small white pill bottle from her purse left on the couch.

He finished tidying up quickly, ready to take her to the office.As he stepped into the living room, he caught her tipping her head back, swallowing several pills. There had been no condoms in the house the night before, and they hadn't taken precautions.

Vincent's face clouded dark instantly. He strode forward,snatched the white bottle from her grasp, his tone frigid as steel. "Why are you taking contracepotive pills again?"