Chapter 14
Grace felt her mind go blank the moment Cole’s lips pressed against hers
She had kised before, but this druption was completely dificil
Koning Zane’s uncle right under Zane’s father’s nose was something entirely new. The shear audacity of it made her feel as though she might explode from the overwhelming tension.
During her dad confusion, Cole selard the moment to deepen the kiss, their breaths mingling in an intimate exchange
winton had been waiting for an answer for some time now. When he didn’t get me, he askedagain, “Which girl do you have your eye on?”
Grace placed her fingers gently on his chest, pushing lightly. If this continued, they would definitely be caught.
coke didn’t budge, his satisfaction growing as she squirmed
Desperate, Grace wished she could bite him to break free, but Cole had anticipated her move. Hist
Infrintration, Grace decided to try a different tactic
forefinger held her chin firmly, leaving her no chance bite him
The muded closer to him, her hand looping around his neck as she butted her long lashes, pleading shortly with her eyes.
Sure enough, worked–Cola Enally redased, loosening his hold on her
Gracefelterly drained, as it all the energy had been upped from her. Her head tell onto his shoulder as she gasped for breath, struggling to recover from the kiss
The dim lights outside the car window spilled onto her face, casting dappled shadows. Her lips, tinted with a sot glow, looked full and inviting, while her cheeks were shed with a warm
Her soft, parted lipsresembled the gentle curve of a fish breathing, making them all the more tempting
Ben Cole’s voice sounded hunk now as he spoke, a smile playing on his lips. “No one, really. Dad set up a bunch of blind date for me. Since be staying here for awhile, I’ll have plenty of opportunities. With so many beautiful women around, I’m sure one will catch my eye
Winton laughed. “It’s surpring, you used to avoid staying for long when you came back home”
Hisdeep, smooth voice drifted into Grace’s man, and he chuckled softly, I’m not like you with your wife and kids. I’m on my own. Even on Christmas Eve. I have to spend it alone” “Then you should settle thing quickly, the the knot while you can, Winton said
“I heard the heiress of the Langloed family is gentle and graceful. Maybe mother tomorrow,
Grace’s heart sank. He was really going through with it–png blind date with someone else. All of her plan, the ones she had carefully crafted, suddenly felt pointless Regret wished over her, and she wished she could turn back time, go to the post, and slap some sense into herself for saying that careless words
As the convention continued, the car finally slowed to mop, and Gure realized they had arrived at the Jensen tedence.
Before the car even fully halted, Grace quickly slipped out of Cole’s embrace and moved backstores
As Winton was about to get out of the car, Cole finally spoke up, showi him soon
“Alright,” Winson said, shuning the car door as he walked away
momento consideration. “My friend is hosting a welcome dinner for me tonight Tell Dad I’ll be sure ov
With his fingers drumming lightly against the armeest, Cole said casually, “My
‘t you hide on my bid?te’s safer that way.”
de carefully peered our to die sure Winton had walked far enough away. Only then did she let out a breath of relief, preparing to step over Cole’s long legs and sit beside him. “Mr. Jensen, could you please talu me back. Before she could finish, he suddenly grabbed bar wil and pulled her into his arms.
She ended up sitting on his lap, the amphere thick with unspoken terodon,
He steadied her waist with one hand, his gare lingering on her Cushed face. “Wha the matter? VidZane never get this dose to you? Why are you always bushing like that?”
The had already witnessed her first night, but what murphed him was that despite living with Zane for those years, Grace was still so innocent,
Truthfully, she and Zane hadn’t shared much physical try Foro, she had been swamped with work, always on the go, and hardly had me for com
Aund Zane, trying to uphold his image as the perfect petrioman, had kept things surface–level. Once he realized she was the conservative type, he never pushed–juur tested the waters TOM
wad then
do a few lines, and even those had been rate. Being called out in person, specially after how he had teased her in the casted wei
nest thinking, the natured, “Seriously? Two grown alubu living together? You think nothing ever happened? Please. That kind of chemisty docan’t just sit around unroodhul
she arched a brow and added with deliberate lite, “Brulden, Zane’s kissing skills are way better than yours. Maybe it’s because he has inote experience.
She thought she’d tually gained the upper hand, expening towelger Badiacross Cole’s face.
Instead, his simile only prom kuproven my kissing, technique,”
hanks for the tip, Ms. Harper, make sure to practice, nebes Ms. Langbundin pole and understanding, so I’m sure she’d be happy to help cove
The mention of Zelda Langland undenly nude trace realize let mlake She had been so caught up in teasing colle that he had completely forgotten bei main objection.
“Wu jelisen, you’re indly pung though with the bed date?”
“Ma Harper, as Wintersand. F’in at the age to pendle down,” Code replied
meron now. His proposal for a marriage alliance masn’t just because of what happened that night behaalia kismen about hat family background. To him, it was simply a
should have waited in to finish explaining before spraking
tage couldn’t afford to repet now he bit het Up and asked, “If you’re boking for a mantiago pastavi, nh
think of ma
Cole looked list up and down belone teiganding tusightfully, “You’ve young beautiful, and come from a good family. You’re the perfect marriage partner for me
Betone Coace could even feel pleased, he added, “Hat Eremenler you saying that even if you had to jump out of a plane, you would”i marry me It’s a shame. I was thinking about
Graves expected that the wood she had thrown out would come back and put
Mi. Jemen, at that time, I didn’t know your identity.”
arg at a diusikanlage
Ms. Harper, now you want toj by me because of my identity?” His sanile was present, but lids eyes were filled with coldness.
Grace immediately sensed the sudden change in his demeanor. She couldn’t understand it.
20
Just like when he initially proposed the mantlige allumes, it was because of lier background. It didn’t make sense why he was angry now
Geate thought about it for a while. If it wasn’t because of her background, even Zane wouldn’t have considered marrying her. She couldn’t understand why Cole would be so willing to take responsibility for an ordinary woman
They were from the same circle, and drace realized he must have known the truth. She wondered if he expected her to come up with some unbelievable lie.
He wasn’t stupid. These was no way he would believe it if she tried
After thinking it over, Grace decided to be honest. “Mr. Jensen, I believe you understand that a marriage alliance is essentially an exchange of resources. Our backgrounds are just t threshold for this alliance. A partnership between the Harpers and the Jensens would benefit both sides.”
I didn’t have the Jensen name, would you still be sitting here, saying this?”
the
Grace tried to sound since. “Mr. Jensen, I believe that, compared to Zane and Nydia, a marriage between us would be the best option.”
Cotter for a long moment, then a smirk appeared on his lips. “I’ll admit you’re impressive, Ms. Harper, but you’re being a bit too confident. There are plenty of exceptional women, and many potential manage partners. The Harper family has never been my only option ”
Grace stood her ground, replying firmly, “But you said you’d take responsibility for me
