Chapter 167 Agree
Chandler’s eyebrow quirked up playfully. “Speak up.”
“Rumor has it around the office that you’re married now, so I suppose I can’t keep up this chase anymore,” Meryl said, her voice tinged with resignation.
Chandler, feeling a bit restless, fiddled with his tie. “So why don’t you just tell everyone that the person I’m married to is you?”
“No way! If everyone finds out I’m the CEO’s wife, how am I supposed to work properly? I’d just be swarmed by people trying to get close to you, trying to flatter me. How would I ever get ahead?”
“So you’re saying we should keep up the pretense of being secretly married in the office?”
Meryl nodded.
Chandler narrowed his eyes. His expression suggested he wasn’t too keen on the idea.
He thought, “We kept this secret initially to avoid the backlash. But now that Dalton and Lydia are married, they’ve taken the heat off us. Plus, everyone in the high society of Kingsdom already knows I’m married. News travels fast; it’s only a matter of time before the office finds out.”
Chandler rested his chin against Meryl’s neck, breathing in the scent of her hair. The close proximity made Meryl’s heart race. But she noticed Chandler’s mood had soured since she proposed keeping their marriage a secret at work.
Meryl tentatively asked, “Is it okay?”
“First, give me a kiss. Then I’ll think about it.”
Meryl swallowed hard. With trembling lashes, she gently tugged at Chandler’s collar and leaned in to press her lips against his. It was a brief, soft touch before she pulled back.
“Are we playing at make-believe here?” Chandler’s fingers lightly traced his lips. Clearly, he was craving more. His eyes darkened, as if something deeper was at play.
Before Meryl could fully grasp his meaning, his hand was already wrapped around her waist. The heat from his breath was overwhelming, making Meryl’s heart race uncontrollably. With his large hand cupping the back of her head, he tilted her face up. As her lips parted, Chandler’s agile tongue met hers in a passionate dance. His kiss was intense; every touch of his lips seemed to suck the air out of her, merging her into his very being. Meryl’s mind went blank under the force of his affection. Chandler wouldn’t let her close her eyes; he wanted her to witness their kiss in its entirety. Meryl was embarrassed to the point of discomfort, suddenly recalling how he had whispered hotly in her ear that night. He had said, “Meryl, yes, just like that. Look at me. Alright, I surrender! I’m almost there!” Remembering that night made her even more uneasy.
Unexpectedly, the sound of high heels clicking outside the door interrupted them. Meryl’s face flushed, and she tried to scramble off Chandler, but he kept his hold tight. Chandler, eyes downcast, was reluctant to let go. “How about you come home early tonight?” The implication was crystal clear.
Meryl, still perched on Chandler’s lap, felt every bit of his erection. She whispered, “I can’t. I need to stay with Anne for a few more days.”
Chandler frowned, his demeanor growing colder. “Didn’t you say you’d be home tonight?”
Meryl quickly explained, “She’s alone. I’m worried about her.” At least for the next two weeks, she would need to stay with Anne.
A knock came from outside the door. It was Freya. “Mr. Aniston, there’s a document that needs your signature urgently.”
Meryl gently tried to slip out of Chandler’s embrace, but he still held her fast. She looked at him pleadingly, worried about the possible awkward explanations if someone walked in. She softly said, “We agreed to keep it a secret. Could you let me go?”
Chandler wore a mischievous grin. “Did we? I seem to remember that I never actually agreed.”