Finally, the long-awaited end of the workday arrived. After quickly clocking out, Elise took the elevator down to the first floor. The familiar royal blue car gleamed in the night, and the moment she saw it, she rushed over.
All day, she'd been thinking about him.
Thinking about his upcoming business trip, and that Mylee would be there…
She was the one by his side, the one he'd promised himself to—so why did she feel this uneasy?
She thought, this must be jealousy. It turns out, her possessiveness over him was just as strong as his over her. She thought, this must be jealousy. It turns out, her possessiveness over him was just as strong as his over her.
Elise took in Baden's outfit—a charcoal plaid suit, blue and white striped tie, and a pair of golden-brown Oxford shoes—as he walked toward her, each step making him look more dazzling under the moonlight.
She suddenly wondered, had he been dressed like this in the morning? But whether he had or not, she now realized that falling for him meant her heart would race every time she saw him.
And yet, thinking about his upcoming trip and that he would be spending a month with Mylee made her feel even more stung.
"What do you want to eat?" Braden gazed at her, initiating the conversation.
"I want to get takeout and eat at home." She wrapped her arms around him, leaning against his chest, her voice honey-sweet. "I just want to hold you like this."
Braden didn't overthink it, assuming she might just be reluctant about their short, one-month separation, which was why she was giving him such an affectionate embrace. This thought made him happy, and somehow, the worries Mylee stirred up didn't feel as heavy anymore.
"What's with the sudden sweetness?" he teased, though he was already wrapping her in an equally warm embrace. "Not that I'm complaining—I love it."
She rarely showed affection when she was sober; usually, it was only after a few drinks that she allowed a hint of tenderness for him to slip through.
It turned out she'd miss him too. He'd thought he was the only one reluctant to face the month-long separation ahead.
"Since you're going away for a month, I want to hold you as much as I can while I still have the chance." She closed her eyes, absorbing his warmth, wanting to hold him even tighter, to savor his presence.
But no matter how tight the embrace, it still couldn't completely erase all her lingering anxiety.
"You're so cute." He gently pushed her back, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Let's finish our shopping and head home." "You're so cute." He gently pushed her back, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Let's finish our shopping and head home."
"But whose place are we going to?" She suddenly remembered they hadn't discussed it.
With a mischievous glint, he replied, "Of course my place. Besides, your mom and dad are still at yours."
Elise's face turned red as she lowered her voice in embarrassment. "I live with my parents; it's perfectly normal for them to be home..."
"Which is why my place is better," Braden said with a deliberate smile, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger. "No one else, just the two of us."
Curiosity sparked in Elise's brown eyes. "Where did your mom go?"
"She went to a friend's place, plays mahjong every day. She might not be back until I return from my trip."
"What? You didn't, like, kick her out, did you?"
"Would I do that?" he asked, amused by her suspicion.
"Maybe... because..." She lowered her head, hesitating, unsure whether to say it.
"Hmm?" He hooked her chin with his finger and pressed his lips to hers, the touch both soft and filled with a spark of passion.
The kiss left her dizzy, clinging to him until she could barely breathe and finally released him.
"Because you keep... doing this and that..." She was embarrassed, only daring to vaguely reference their intimacy in public.
He thought for a moment, then laughed, mimicking her words. "I did mention to her that I wanted to marry you, so she naturally found things to keep herself busy. Said she didn't want to interrupt us... doing this and that."
Her face turned as red as a tomato, and she playfully hit his chest with a hint of a pout. "Why'd you have to say it like that..."
"Just kidding, of course." He gently tapped her forehead, his gaze full of affection. "Get in the car. I want to take you home."
After they arrived at Baden's place and had dinner, Elise noticed him sitting on the other side of the couch, absorbed in work, barely sparing her a thought.
While it made sense for him to be busy with work, especially with his business trip next week, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous that his mind was entirely on his tasks, even with her right there beside him.
She knew she shouldn't think this way, and logically, she didn't see any reason to mind it. After all, they had nearly identical job responsibilities, so she understood. But when she thought of him going on business trips with Mylee, knowing Mylee liked him too, and that they had briefly dated, it left her feeling somewhat unsettled.
Yet, she didn't want him to know about this frustration. She didn't want him to think she was sulking like a child.
She believed in the love he gave her, but Mylee's feelings for him were genuine too.
Maybe the scars left by Graham ran too deep, making her overly cautious in relationships, afraid that a single slip might lead to her loved one being taken away.
After all, Mylee indeed had good qualities—she was beautiful, intelligent, and performed well at work, all of which were charming traits.
Elise realized that Braden… well, he didn't necessarily have to choose her.
The more she thought, the more irrational her thoughts became, and the heavy weight pressing on her heart grew until it almost broke her. She took deep breaths, reminding herself not to think of him as unfaithful.
But the more she loved him, the harder it was to control her jealousy.
Sadness started to creep in; she didn't want it, yet her emotions and reason weren't on the same page.
A sudden, warm embrace caught her off guard, leaving her mind blank.
"Do you know what I'm thinking about?" Braden hugged her from behind, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice soft. "I'm thinking about you."
"And will you think of me when you're on business trips too?" Elise broke free from his embrace, facing him with a serious expression.
"Of course, I will think of you," Braden gently caressed her soft face, "but not only that, I'll love you more with each passing day."
"I love you too, so… I'll think of you as well." Elise nestled closer to his embrace, wrapping her arms around him tightly, as if needing more physical contact to feel assured of his presence.
While Braden was still savoring the rare warmth she offered, she lifted her face from his chest, meeting his equally gentle gaze, her slender wrist wrapping around his neck as she kissed him without hesitation.
Her tongue slipped into his mouth, teasing his as she kissed him with a fervor that surpassed the usual soft pecks she used to give him.
He let out a muffled groan, embracing her sudden initiative, his hands cupping the back of her head as he kissed her sweet cherry lips, savoring her taste. But just as he sought to claim more of her moist tenderness, she pulled back, breathing softly with a shy allure.
"I… I want to take a shower now." She stood up, her cheeks still flushed, not wanting him to realize that even a kiss could stir such feelings in her.
Ever since she'd shared intimate moments with him, even in her dreams, she would sometimes accidentally recall those tender scenes, her body heating up involuntarily.
She wasn't usually like this… she didn't want him to think of her as a woman desperate for affection.
Braden reached out, grabbing her wrist to pull her back, and with her balance thrown off, she tumbled into his arms again.
Elise was startled, her heart racing, trapped between a desire for affection and the shyness that kept her from voicing it.
Braden didn't say anything. Instead, he let his next actions speak for what he intended.
His hands found the buttons along her waist, unfastening them with deliberate ease, then pulling down the zipper beside the button, effortlessly sliding off her suspender pants.
Ah... "Elise exclaimed in panic, but her voice revealed a soft sweetness that made him even more eager to conquer her.
She only then realized that she seemed to have turned on some switch, lightly biting her lip and clenching her legs, trying to resist the attack of his love.
He lifted her top and revealed that the underwear in front of him was really beautiful. The black lace fabric with eyelashes and the neck tied design made him stare at it intently.
Although it was purchased through his special network, when he actually saw her wearing it, his heart was still itching uncontrollably.
He unbuttoned her bra, took off her underwear, and a pair of snow-white sweet breasts immediately took over his gaze.
No... "Elise was still trying to dissuade his desire, but her voice was soft and irresistible.
Baden's hand slipped beneath her underwear, fingers tracing over the sensitive warmth between her thighs. The way her body responded, wet and welcoming, made his pulse quicken, each stroke heightening the tension between them.
She seemed to have prepared for him long ago, her tender honey petals soaked through with love juice, and the sticky and smooth feeling made his desire even more swollen.
"Ugh… don't ask me that…" she murmured, unable to resist grabbing his hand, trying to stop his movements.
Otherwise, she was afraid that she would open her mouth again and crave for his love.
"Mmm? "He leaned down to suck and lick her tender breasts, feeling her nipples burning hot and erect, with sweet chili milk, making him infatuated with the kiss and reluctant to leave.
"Mmm... don't... stop... "She felt like she couldn't take it anymore, trembling even more, her desire burning her whole body.
"Don't stop? "He continued licking her tender nipples, deliberately misunderstanding her with a dark belly:" Of course you won't stop, and I will still hurt you well."
"No... that's not what I meant... "Her eyes were filled with infatuation, and she let out coquettish cries," It's so hot... don't do this."
"Be good, I love you the most. "He stopped kissing, took off her troublesome top and underwear, and freely rubbed her chest.
"Wu... why are you like this... "She grabbed the pillow with her back, feeling her thoughts hazy and accepting his caresses with shame.
He shifted his focus and kissed her fair neck, as greedy as last night, continuing to deepen his kiss marks, leaving countless traces of his love for her and imprinting more kisses.
He was originally thinking about not making her tired today, but she didn't seem to think so. She insisted on teasing and teasing him. He loved her so much that he couldn't control the flow of desire in his body.
The desires that arose because of her have long been unbearable for him, and if he doesn't eat her properly, how can that be?
"Well, you're the one who started teasing me..." he murmured, his warm lips trailing along her neck, his breath hot against her skin. "Be good… let me take care of you."
"I... I haven't taken a shower yet... "she exclaimed coquettishly, still trying to grasp the remaining rationality.
"Then I'll take you to take a shower, "he said as he picked up her naked body, ready to take her to take a shower.
She buried her face in his chest, both shy and slightly angry. Why is it that every time she is stripped naked, he still dresses well.
