Chapter 364

I remembered something Jared once told me: the one who’s loved is actually the most powerless. When the person they care about turns away, they’re left stranded, trapped by their own feelings, lost and confused—like a temple left behind after all the worshippers have gone.

And now I couldn’t help but wonder—would I end up like Jared someday? If Nathan ever stopped reaching out for my love, would I feel that same hollow emptiness inside?

While I was spacing out, Nathan slipped in close, cupped my chin, and kissed me tenderly.

The hot steam behind me made me uneasy, so I pressed closer to Nathan, almost hiding against him.

With a low, teasing laugh, he scooped me up and carried me out of the kitchen, setting me down on the wine rack nearby.

Suddenly, I was half a head taller than him, caught off guard and a little startled.

Nathan tilted his head back, his gaze soft yet smoldering. He reached up, looping his arms around my neck and pulling me down, refusing to let me go as we tangled together.

‘Innocent, huh? Who ever said that about him?’ I thought.

‘He’s got way more moves than Jared ever did.’

‘Seriously, he’s going to drive me insane.’

Nathan used every trick and bit of charm he had on me, like he was weaving a web of temptation and affection—an elaborate game meant to pull me in and keep me hooked.

Maybe it was because we’d been holding back for a while, but Nathan was like a starving wolf who just couldn’t get his fill.

I’d try to run, but he’d always catch me. We played this game of cat and mouse all over the house, and just thinking about it makes me blush every single time.

I playfully smacked Nathan’s shoulders until they were flushed, but he just pulled me into his arms, chuckling softly as he murmured reassurances. Before I could get truly annoyed, he hurriedly fished out the gift he’d been meaning to give me, hoping to distract me.

“What’s this?” I asked, feeling my heart start to race as I stared at the round, elegant blue box.

‘No way… Is he really…?’ I wondered.

Nathan opened it, and sure enough, inside was a pair of couple’s diamond rings.

“Give me your left hand,” Nathan said, gently taking it and slipping the smaller ring onto my middle finger.

I couldn’t help but feel relieved—at least it wasn’t going on my ring finger.

The fit was perfect. I stared at him in surprise. “How did you even know what size to get?”

Nathan grinned. “After you fell asleep that night, I used a piece of string to measure your middle finger.”

I blinked, a little taken aback. ‘Who knew he could be so sneaky? But honestly, it’s kind of adorable that he’d go to all that trouble for me.’

“Next time, just ask me,” I said, trying to play it cool, but inside, it felt like my heart was melting—so sweet I could almost taste it.

Nathan held out his left hand. “Can you help me put mine on, too?”

I slid the ring onto his middle finger. His hand was pale and elegant, every knuckle perfectly defined, and with that diamond ring, he suddenly had this irresistible, husband-material aura.

It took me right back to Jared—how he’d slip on that diamond ring, just a bit of his crisp white shirt peeking out, the ring catching the light. He was the gold standard for husband material, seriously irresistible.

Now, Nathan was really starting to give off that same vibe.

‘Am I really about to fall for the same type of guy all over again?’ I wondered.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Nathan asked, pulling me back to reality. Guess I was spacing out, just staring at him.

He reached over and pinched my cheek, sounding a little annoyed. “Victoria, do you see Mr. Holcomb’s shadow when you look at me?”

“…” I didn’t know what to say.