Chapter 600:


    He was shielding her.


    For years, Nate had kept women at a distance, yet now he was going out of his way to protect this one. How intriguing.


    “Ms. Hopkins, where to now?” the driver asked cautiously from the front seat.


    Andromache blinked, dragged from her thoughts. She leaned back, exhaling slowly, her voicenguid.


    “Take me to see my mother.”


    After Andromache’s departure, the chill in Nate’s expression lingered. His grip on Corrine’s hand remained firm, his tension palpable.


    Corrine’s gaze drifted to a ck box on the table.


    “What is that?”


    Nate followed her line of sight.


    “A gift from Andromache.”


    “A gift?” Her brow arched slightly, curiosity glinting in her eyes. Nate studied her for a moment before speaking slowly.


    “The tenth of next month is my birthday.”


    Corrine’s eyes widened. She sprang to her feet, staring at him in mild disbelief.


    “And you’re only telling me this now? I haven’t even prepared anything!”


    There were still two weeks left. That was enough time to n something.


    “It’s just a birthday. You don’t need to prepare anything,” Nate said smoothly, pulling her onto hisp with a firm tug. His dark eyes held a quiet intensity as he looked up at her.


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    “Besides, you already know what I want most.”


    Corrine blinked, tilting her head.


    “And what would that be?”


    Her gaze was innocent, yet there was an unspoken allure in the way she looked at him—a softness that stirred something deep inside him. A muscle in Nate’s jaw tightened. His arm curled around her waist, his other hand sliding up to cradle the back of her neck. Without another word, he pulled her down into a fierce, iming kiss.


    Heat bloomed between them, and it was not until Corrine’s lips tingled from the pressure that he finally pulled back.


    His thumb traced over her slightly swollen lips, his gaze dark and unreadable, as if he were searching for something buried deep within her.


    His grip on her waist tightened, drawing her closer. His breath was warm against her skin as he murmured, “I want you.”


    The words were low, deliberate—spoken not as a request, but as an unshakable truth. The faintest smirk tugging at his lips made it all the more dangerous.


    Corrine drew in a shallow breath, steadying herself.


    At his words, a flush of deep red spread across her face, creeping all the way to her ears.


    Nate caught the vivid blush and let out a low, amused chuckle. His fingertips brushed lightly against her cheek, his touch lingering for just a moment.


    “Would you like to open it for me?”


    Corrine frowned slightly.


    “Would that not be inappropriate?”


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    Message from Noah: Happy wednesday dear readers. God loves you and Noah whishes you all the best. (=?=) /


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