Chapter 167
ARES
I had booked a hotel, but I was already halfway there when my body moved before I could think, and I was already driving to the Lane Farm.
Catherine didn’t look too pleased to see me. She’s been more infuriated than usual, either giving me soft eyes or glares and random outbursts. I could already picture her clawing at my face with her nails.
I deduced she still hasn’t gotten over our last heated conversation.
Her anger… it burns me in a way, and I don’t understand why she was so determined, knowing the rules and the mutual understanding we shared.
“You’re gonna spend your time on a farm? I never knew you told jokes p>
That attitude of hers was getting bigger by the moment, and the temptation to spank her ass had gotten too much to bear. The least I could do was crack my knuckles like a warning, but she’s oblivious to it.
I tilted my head. “You don’t think I can p>
“It’s not that I don’t think. This is far too unusual, even for you p>
Yes, it was… I haven’t been acting like myself lately.
“You’re unbelievable she grumbled as she unfolded her arms. “Go to a hotel p>
I yanked her back to me when she tried to leave, my lips connecting with hers, and I didn’t go soft. I tasted her like I’d been starved for far too long, even though it had only been a few hours.
Catherine bit me on my lip, and I peeled them away, using my finger on the broken skin to see a dot of blood. A shiver curled through me as I eyed her amusedly.
“What do you think you are doing?” she exploded, looking at the farmhouse. “What if they saw you p>
I licked my lips. “You forgot to give them an important detail, baby p>
She scoffed in disbelief. “No! Not here… will I bring those lies. I have said enough, and I’m not about to do that to them. You’re my boss, and a boss should book a fucking hotel!” She turned on her heels and walked away, cursing as she did.
I smiled, following behind her like a magnet. Reed can use the fucking hotel.
Catherine threw a look over her shoulder and stopped, coming towards me like an angry little mouse.
“What. Are. You. Doing p>
“Following you p>
She clenched her fist as if at her last patience, but she still managed to conjure a smile. “Get lost p>
My eyes darkened, and I could tell she was shaken by my change of demeanor, but she was too angry to back down.
“Get p>
“Peanut p>
We turned as Margaret stepped out.
“Oh, is that Mr. King? Come join us for breakfast p>
“You heard her,” I said, placing a hand at the small of her back.
She slapped it away. “I hate you p>
“How wonderful for you to join us for breakfast,” Margaret said, dropping a full plate of waffles and a glass of orange juice. “Now eat up, I’m sure we all need this after an exhausting night in the hospital p>
She patted my shoulder, and my first instinct was to recoil, but I didn’t. It was just like at the hospital when she cupped my cheek; her action had a benevolent feel.
I eyed my breakfast, then the table. Walter was already eating, piling up the waffles to eat them all at once.
“Don’t rush, Gramps!” Catherine interjected.
“Are you gonna stop me from eating my wife’s meal with a full heart p>
“No? You rush when you eat p>
I blinked at this unfamiliar display. It was… strange eating at a table where the air wasn’t tight or filled with grim.
I grabbed my cutlery to eat before I realized no one was using theirs. Catherine noticed my stare and raised her eyebrow as if I was judging her.
“So… Ares King, is it?” Walter began with a shift in his tone. “I heard you have been making my granddaughter’s time with you hell p>
“Gramps p>
“Walter p>
“What p>
My lips twitched. “You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Lane.” I eyed Catherine. “She’s under my special care now p>
Catherine blushed. “H-He’s just talking about the promotions, that’s all. It comes with improvement p>
“Improvements Walter said sternly. “A billionaire dining at our table, you don’t see that every day. I hope our meals are to your taste p>
“It is,” I said, amused, taking my glass of juice. “Catherine is my most valuable employee, and her well-being is important to me p>
“Oh, now she’s important p>
“She has always been p>
“Do you dine with your valuable employee’s family? Or travel across the city to their homes as an escort p>
Catherine cleared her throat. “Don’t you think it’s time to go back to the hotel, Mr. King p>
“Now don’t be like that. I think Mr. King can stay,” Margaret offered.
Walter choked on his juice. “W-What now p>
“I mean, if that’s okay p>
Catherine looked like she was about to have a heart attack as she discreetly shook her head for me to say no.
“As long as you would have me,” I replied, smirking.
“Of course we would! Right, Walt p>
Walter eyed me with a glare. His sudden hostile behavior towards me wasn’t a mystery, given the fact that when I kissed Catherine, he saw through the window.
“He can take the couch. We don’t have any spare rooms; it’s either that or the barn p>
“Walt, be nice Margaret murmured to him. “Don’t worry, I’ll clean up the attic for you p>
“We haven’t cleaned that in forever, granny!” Catherine resorted.
“It’s alright, Mrs. Lane. The couch will be fine,” I said.
Walter dropped his napkin on the table and pushed to his feet. “Now the cows need their breakfast too p>
“Gramps, don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” Catherine said.
“We purchase more over time, which means more work; you can’t do that alone p>
“It’s fine. The doctor said you should rest, and you’re getting that. I’m here so you’ve got nothing to worry about p>
“I’ll be happy to assist,” I interrupted, and they pinned me with a look like I had grown a second head.