?Chapter 1074:


    Without another word, he flicked the cigarette and turned away, disappearing into the dimly lit room.


    Meanwhile, Nate led Corrine into a secluded vi.


    She barely had a chance to steady herself before he shoved her onto the sofa, caging her in and crashing into a kiss.


    There was no hesitation, no restraint—just raw, unfiltered need. The kiss was fierce, iming, leaving no room for protest or breath. Her lungs burned, her chest tightening as his tongue tangled with hers, igniting a fire that spread through her veins.


    Just as she thought she might suffocate, he pulled away.


    She gasped, gripping the front of his shirt, struggling to reim the air he had stolen from her.


    Nate’s fingers tilted her chin up, his thumb grazing her swollen lips. His voice was husky,ced with something dangerously unspoken. “No risk, no reward, huh?”


    Corrine’sshes trembled. Oh no. He was upset again.


    A soft breath left her lips. “Since they were nning to kidnap me, how could they possibly—mmph!”


    She never got to finish. Nate silenced her with another kiss—this one deeper, rougher, as if punishing her for even mentioning it. His frustration bled through every touch, every press of his lips, every demanding flick of his tongue.


    “Ouch…” She winced as his teeth caught her lower lip, a sharp sting blooming where he bit down.


    Only when the sharp taste of blood tinged her tongue did he finally release her.


    His palm cradled the back of her neck as he rested his forehead against hers. His raw, low voice sent shivers down her spine. “Don’t let it happen again.”


    “I promise, it won’t happen again.” Corrine smiled, leaning in to peck his lips.


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    Nate said nothing. His lips pressed into a thin line as he silently rose to his feet and made his way toward the bathroom.


    The sound of running water soon filled the air, and Corrine let out a quiet sigh of relief, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling.


    But just as she began to rx, a shadow loomed over her.


    Startled, she shifted her gaze to find Nate standing before her. “Weren’t you going to take a shower?”


    He didn’t answer. Instead, he simply bent down, scooped her up effortlessly, and strode toward the bathroom.


    As Corrine’s eyesnded on the bathtub, filled to the brim with warm water, an unbidden thought shed through her mind—a shared bath? But she was overthinking it. Without a word, Nate set her down, ced a neatly folded set of clean clothes by the tub, and then turned to leave. It was such a simple gesture—gentle, thoughtful—but it stirred a warmth deep within her, one she couldn’t quite put into words. By the time she emerged from the bathroom, Nate was nowhere in sight.


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