?Chapter 916:


    “Thene back to the master bedroom with me.” His response was effortless, as though it were the most natural solution in the world.


    Corrine stiffened.


    Before she could protest, his arm curled around her waist, ready to lift her off her feet. “Wait!” she blurted, twisting in his grasp. Nate arched a brow, his smirk widening. “What is it now?”


    She hesitated, and then exhaled in surrender. “I have not recovered yet, so tonight, can we…”


    “Can we what?” Amusement shed in his dark eyes.


    Corrine bit her lip, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. Her voice dropped to a near whisper. “I want to sleep alone tonight.”


    Nate let out a soft chuckle, his expression gentling. He pulled her closer, his hand resting at the small of her back. “Are you that afraid of me?”


    He would not deny that he wanted her again. The craving had only intensified. But he was not reckless. He knew she was still adjusting. And he could wait.


    Corrine could hear the steady thump of his heart against her back, and it only reminded her ofst night—the bathroom, the way he had refused to let her go. Her face burned.


    She tilted her head up, meeting his gaze before reaching out to pinch his arm lightly. “Should I not be?”


    Last night, she had begged for mercy, and yet, he had shown none.


    “Onest time,” he had said. Again and again.


    A smirk tugged at Nate’s lips. “I promise. Just sleep tonight. Nothing more.” His hand settled at her waist as he led her toward the bedroom.


    Lying in bed, Corrine rested against his chest, her fingers idly tracing the curve of his Adam’s apple. Her voice was soft, yetced with an unspoken weight. “Are you leaving tomorrow?”


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    Nate’s chin brushed against her forehead as he murmured, “I have some matters to attend to.”


    She lifted her gaze, searching his face. “Will it be dangerous?”


    “No.”


    A small smile yed at her lips, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her eyes. “Then be careful. When you return, I will have to check you thoroughly…”


    Before she could finish, Nate moved swiftly, flipping her beneath him. His dark eyes burned with an intensity that was hard to contain. “How will you check?”


    Her lips curled into a teasing smirk, mischief glinting in her gaze. “Guess… ah—”


    Her breath hitched as his handnded on her waist, fingers pressing against her skin. Startled, she grabbed his wrist, her heart pounding. “You promised only sleep tonight!”


    He merely chuckled, lowering his head until his lips hovered just above hers. “Kissing is allowed.”


    His mouth imed hers in a slow, lingering kiss, drawing her into the heat of the moment. The room pulsed with warmth, the air between them thick with intimacy.


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