She continued to back away from him until her calves hit the couch, causing her to lose her balance and fall.
James loomed over her on the couch, and Kristie’s body stiffened in response. She stammered, “Get back. Don’t come near me…”
In response, he tucked her loose hair behind her ear and brought his lips closer to her face.
“You’re taking advantage of me again.” Kristie pressed her palms on his chest to keep him away. Her eyes reddened with tears as she pleaded between sobs, “Don’t force me to do this. I have a boyfriend. I don’t want to cheat on him.”
Her words drew a chuckle from James, who teased, “Don’t worry your pretty head about it. You won’t be a cheater as long as he doesn’t know about this. I can keep a secret.”
“You’re too much!”
The rest of Kristie’s protests were swallowed by James’ passionate kisses.
She breathed in his familiar scent and eventually gave in to pleasure.
Kristie hooked her legs around his waist to bring herself closer to him.
The couch proved too squeezy for both of them, and James stopped himself from taking things too far. Instead, he carried Kristie to the bedroom.
Kristie looked at him through half-lidded eyes. She simply could not tear her gaze away from his perfect abs as he took off his clothes. Her hands moved toward his torso, unbidden.
The feel of his rock-hard muscles drew an amazed gasp from Kristie. “I didn’t know you hid such a hot body under those clothes!”
James leaned over her and whispered in her ear, “It’s all yours.”
His flirtatious words brought a furious blush to Kristie’s face.
She buried her head in his chest and reveled in the warmth of his body. Still, once she closed her eyes, traumatic memories of her helpless shrieks suddenly filled her mind. Her body began shuddering uncontrollably.
“No, no…” She curled into herself and flailed around, screaming, “Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!”
Amid her struggles, James took two scratches to his body, both deep enough to draw blood.
That did not deter James, who merely clasped Kristie’s wrist and coaxed tenderly, “Kristie, open your eyes. It’s me. Don’t be scared. There, there. Look at me.”
Kristie kept her eyes closed and sobbed. She struggled against his hold and wailed, “Don’t touch me… don’t touch me…”
Her anguished cries broke James’ heart. He could only comfort her and attempt to distract her with gentle kisses. He hoped she could think of herself instead of her memories.
James cupped her face and kissed her deeply.
When he sensed that Kristie was about to gasp for air, he let go and intertwined his fingers with hers. At the same time, he pressed more of his weight into her body.
Kristie furrowed her brows in confusion and slowly opened her eyes.
“It’s me. Don’t be scared.” James kissed her cheek and said, “I’ve always been here.”
Some light returned to Kristie’s eyes.
She gazed at him and abruptly sat up, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She was still shaking as she leaned into his embrace and croaked, “Hug me tightly. Don’t let go.”
James tightened his arms around her and stroked her long, black hair. “Okay, I will.”
Meanwhile, Curtis had rushed back from Jadeborough.
He immediately spied a familiar Maybach parked outside the airport, against which a tall, equally familiar figure leaned.
Curtis squinted in concentration before approaching the vehicle. “Why are you here?”
“Can’t you tell, Mr. Faymon?” As he spoke, Jefferson pushed himself away from the Maybach and adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. He exuded elegance by the boatloads.
Curtis looked up at the clear, blue sky and muttered, “Hmm, it doesn’t seem as if it’ll rain anytime soon.”
“It’s fine. Let’s have lunch together before you head off.”
Jefferson shot Curtis a confused look and asked, “You’re treating me to lunch?”
“Can’t I?”
Soon enough, Jefferson stopped the car in front of Melody Restaurant.
The restaurant’s waiter recognized Curtis and greeted him warmly, “Good day, Mr. Faymon. Mr. Snyder arrived half an hour ago and is waiting in a private room on the second floor. I will show you the way.”
“Thanks.”
The waiter led Curtis and Jefferson to the private room and opened the door. Jasper was already inside, chatting on the phone.
He noticed their arrival and promptly cut his call short.
Then, Jasper approached Curtis and mock-complained, “How could you be so inconsiderate, Mr. Faymon? You invited me to lunch at eleven, yet you turned up almost an hour late. I almost thought you weren’t coming.”
“Apologies, my flight was delayed.” Curtis smiled and pointed to Jefferson, “I’m guessing you know who he is?”
Jasper glanced at Jefferson and stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Who wouldn’t know about Glory Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Hamilton? I must confess, I’m more curious about why you came together.”
He had watched the live stream of Jefferson and Rayna’s eventful wedding ceremony, and he would not forget how Curtis had dashed into the church and whisked the bride away under so many pairs of eyes.
It was interesting to see two love rivals getting along with each other.
Curtis smiled warmly, though he clapped Jasper on the shoulder harder than usual. “Just sit down if you don’t understand, all right?”
Jasper frowned in confusion but remained silent.
What the heck? He’s the one asking me for a favor, but he’s ordering me around like some slave!
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