“What’s the matter? Last time you were all over me. Why so shy now?” Naylor frowned, suspecting she was playing hard to get—something he found more tiresome than exciting.

“It’s not that. It’s just—God, you reek of alcohol. The smell is suffocating.” Katrina wrinkled her nose, making absolutely no effort to hide her distaste.

Naylor’s frown deepened, his pride clearly wounded.

But then, just as quickly, he broke into a crooked smile and, without warning, swept Katrina up into his arms. “I smell like booze, you say? Well, you smell like an old lady’s perfume. I say we both need a shower.”

“Oh, please. Who’d want to shower with you? Have you no shame?”

“Women always say the opposite of what they mean,” he teased.

“I do not!”

That night, passion flared between them, wild and untamed.

Naylor had always thought he preferred bold women who took the initiative. But with Katrina, he realized there was something even more intoxicating—a woman who acted fiery on the surface but turned bashful and inexperienced the moment things got real.

How to describe it? She was like a blank canvas, pure and untouched, inviting him to create whatever masterpiece he wished.

It was an adventure, full of unknowns and excitement—each moment a new discovery, another hidden treasure revealed, leaving him utterly enchanted.

As for Katrina, tasting forbidden fruit for the first time, she didn’t stand a chance. She surrendered, breathless, her defeat complete.

Even when he was spent, Naylor was reluctant to let go.

Just as he finally lay back, he reached for something at his bedside. In a single smooth motion, a glimmering pendant necklace appeared in Katrina’s line of sight. She was still catching her breath, her gaze unfocused, when a flash of light made her squint. As her eyes adjusted, she saw the sparkling jewel and found herself at a loss for words.

So the rumors were true—he really was generous with his girlfriends.

This was a classic piece from a certain luxury brand, retailing for at least ten grand, sometimes much more depending on the details and the stones.

They’d only just made things official, and he was already lavishing her with such extravagance.

As Katrina stared at the necklace in stunned silence, Naylor’s expression shifted. “What’s wrong? Don’t like it? If you don’t, I can swap it for something else.”

Katrina smiled, pulling the blanket up to cover herself. “No, it’s beautiful. I just suddenly get why your exes always seem to part ways with you on such good terms.”

Naylor rolled his eyes. “Why are you bringing up exes? Live in the present. I’m with you now.”

She fell quiet.

“Besides, I rarely gave gifts on my own. Usually, they’d mention something they liked, and I’d have Hanley pick it up for them.”

Katrina arched a brow. “So, Mr. Wilson, I’m different?”

“I suppose so. After all, we were introduced by mutual friends.”

He took her hand and gently fastened the necklace around her neck.

Katrina glanced down at the sparkling chain resting against her collarbone, her voice soft. “You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble. I owed you a favor to begin with—offering myself was just paying interest. Now you’re spending money on me, you’re definitely getting the short end of the deal.”

Naylor’s jaw tightened. “When are you going to get it through your head? I told you, you’re my girlfriend. We’re equals.”

Katrina looked up at him, silent.

“If you really feel like you owe me, then how about round two?” He was already leaning in again before he finished speaking.

She pressed a palm to his chest, flustered. “Not tonight. I really need to get back to the hospital.”

Naylor frowned. “I’ve been drinking. I can’t drive.”

“It’s fine, I’ll call a cab.”

“Alone at this hour? Not safe. I’ll have Hanley drive you.” He turned to grab his phone, but Katrina stopped him.

Leaving his bed only to trouble someone else for a late-night ride? She’d never live it down.

“Really, it’s not necessary. I’m used to being out this late, and the city’s safe these days.”

Naylor understood—she was just embarrassed. He thought for a moment. “How’s your driving?”

She paused mid-dressing, looking over her shoulder. “You want me to drive your car?”

“Yeah. Safer for you that way.”

Fresh from his embrace, her cheeks still flushed, Katrina realized he had a point. Hailing a ride at this hour, looking as she did, was asking for trouble.

She nodded in agreement.

The Bentley that had brought them home was already gone—Hanley had taken it. Naylor threw on a robe and walked her downstairs, pointing out a sleek Mercedes S-Class in the driveway.

“This one’s yours from now on. Makes getting around easier.” He handed her the keys.

Katrina hesitated, then smiled and took them. She stepped closer and gave him a quick, impulsive kiss. “Thank you.”

She wasn’t about to pretend anymore.

Truth was, when she first fell for him, it wasn’t just his looks and solid character that drew her in—his privileged background played a part, too.

Now that he was being so open and generous, there was no point pretending otherwise or playing coy.

As she opened the car door, she couldn’t help but glance back. “If I scratch your car or get a dent, are you going to make me pay for it when we break up?”

Naylor laughed. “No. As long as you’re safe, I don’t care. Cars are meant to be used, not worshipped.”

Katrina was genuinely touched. She slid behind the wheel and drove off into the night.

After recounting the whole story, Katrina let out a long sigh. “I used to think I wasn’t materialistic at all, but Naylor’s made me see myself in a new light—I guess I’m a gold-digger after all, because he’s bought me heart and soul.”