A Divorce He Regrets (Raina and Alexander) novel Chapter 81

Sighing, I slipped it off and reached for the gowns from the blue pile.

By the time I found the perfect dress and made it home, it was nearly evening. I rushed to get ready, the house buzzing with excitement as my family teased me mercilessly.

When the doorbell rang at exactly 7:00 PM, I muttered under my breath, “Right on time.”

Nathan stood there, looking dapper in his blue suit. But he wasn’t saying anything. He just stared at me, his eyes wide, his lips parted slightly as if words had failed him.

“Are you going to stand there all night, or are we going to this auction?” I teased.

He blinked, then stammered, “Y-you look… breathtaking.”

I raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “You look good too, Nathan. But I didn’t peg you for the stammering type.”

He blushed, scratching the back of his neck. “I got here ten minutes early,” he admitted sheepishly. “Had to psych myself up. For a beauty like you, Raina, any man would stammer.”

I felt my cheeks warm at the compliment.

The event was elegant and lively. We grabbed drinks, and I noticed how Nathan’s eyes lingered on me. Not in a way that unsettled me, but in a way that made me feel seen.

He introduced me to some of his colleagues, who immediately started teasing him.

“So, this is Raina,” one of them said with a grin. “We’ve heard so much about you. Nathan talks about you all the time.”

I blinked, surprised and flattered. Nathan? Talking about me? I had no idea he liked me this much.

“Don’t mind them,” Nathan murmured, his voice warm and reassuring.

But I couldn’t help but think about how different this was from my past. Alex had never introduced me to his friends. Even in college, he kept me at a distance. But Nathan? Nathan was proud to talk about me.

When Nathan’s turn came to be auctioned, I was stunned by how high the bids went. It was clear he was highly respected and very good at what he did.

During a break, I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The door opened behind me, and I assumed it was another woman. But when I turned, I froze.

Alex.

“Let me go,” I demanded, though my voice lacked conviction.

He didn’t listen. His lips hovered near mine, so close I could feel their heat. I braced myself for the kiss, my mind racing with anger and confusion. I promised myself right there, I would sue him for harassment.

But it never came.

Instead, he pressed his lips to my forehead, the gesture soft and lingering.

When he released me and stepped back, I was too stunned to move.

By the time I opened my eyes, he was gone.

I placed a trembling hand on my chest, trying to steady my breathing. “What the hell was that?” I whispered to myself.

And why, I thought bitterly, did a part of me feel something for that arrogant asshole?