?Chapter 329:


    “Yes, you are,” she answered.


    “Is that all you have to say?” Nate teased, gently nibbling on her earlobe, sending waves of sensation that made Corrine tremble, her heartbeat racing.


    Corrine instantly noticed a shift in Nate’s behavior tonight. Her gut feeling alerted her that he was close to the edge, signaling that it might be safer to tread lightly around him. He appeared like a tightly wound spring, and she opted to align with his mood rather than challenge him.


    As Nate held Corrine quietly in his embrace, he narrowed his eyes and let out a soft, indifferent chuckle.


    “Are you dissatisfied with me?”


    Frustrated by Nate’s continual probing, Corrine retorted, “Nate, what’s troubling you tonight?”


    “Why do you ask?” Nate responded, his smile chilling as it failed to mask the frost in his gaze.


    “What if the roles were reversed? If I had been the one disappearing into bars to ogle other women, would you overlook it? Would you remain unbothered?”


    Corrine remained silent. After a moment, she acknowledged that his actions might not bepletely without merit.


    Drawing nearer, Nate’s eyes darkened with a mix of desire and scrutiny as he focused on her lips.


    “Tell me, what do you admire most about me?”


    Corrine was startled by the question. It was a discussion she couldn’t evade.


    “Here?” Nate whispered, easing her hand from his chest down to his abs.


    Corrine’s pulse quickened, her body stiffening as though she had touched a hot surface. She instinctively wanted to retract her hand, but Nate’s firm grasp prevented it.


    Observing her flustered expression, Nate chuckled lightly.


    “You can’t just stir my emotions and not see them through. You’re responsible for them.”


    Corrine found herself speechless once more.


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    Nate softly lifted her face toward his and nted another kiss on her lips. As time melded around them, the charged atmosphere eventually dissipated, leaving a profound stillness.


    “Remember, you have the best in front of you,” Nate murmured teasingly into her ear.


    Corrine stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. It was hard to believe that someone who appeared so reserved and aloof could say such things. Nate carefully cleaned Corrine’s hands with a napkin, meticulously attending to each space between her fingers.


    Her wrists were sore, so she allowed him to proceed as he wished.


    “Next time, I won’t be so lenient.”


    “Wow.” Corrine’sughter was hollow, her smile devoid of warmth. She wondered why he hadn’t shown such leniency when he hadpelled her to assist him earlier.


    Nate caught the questioning look in her eyes. With a knowing smirk, he suggested, “How about we have lunch tomorrow?”


    Corrine remained silent, herck of response speaking volumes.


    “Feel free to bring your friend,” Nate continued.


    Corrine’s eyebrow arched, a spark of amusement in her gaze.


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