Chapter 155
Burning Hunger.
“I’m taking a two-day break,” Nathaniel informed Gavin. He was loosening his tie; he was clearly impatient as he signed his name on the very last document for the research institute. “Postpone the meetings for the other two companies until I am back p>
“And where are you headed, Sir?” Gavin asked, his brow raising.
“I’m spending time with Serena,” Nathaniel said, glancing at Serena, who was, at the moment, avoiding his gaze but blushing.
“Oh. Of course, Sir.” Gavin smiled. “Family is more important p>
It was already eight in the evening when Nathaniel finished everything. He and Serena both ate in his office.
He closed his laptop and checked his desk to make sure he didn’t forget anything before glancing at Serena. “Let’s go, Love p>
“Um.” Serena still did not look at him. “Okay p>
The kiss they had shared earlier still burned at the back of his mind, its memory settling deep beneath his skin. The taste of her, the way she had softened against him, lingered stubbornly, refusing to fade.
Desire twisted low and tight in his body, unrelenting.
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
He had waited too long, lost too much. Tonight, he had no intention of letting hesitation or fear steal another moment from him.
After Serena placed her laptop into her bag, he walked over to her and took her hand. Heading down, they walked hand in hand, all eyes following them.
Their security team drove them out of the facility. Minutes into the drive, Serena tugged on his sleeve gently. She whispered something, but he didn’t hear.
“What is it?” he asked, leaning closer.
Serena’s face turned a shade darker as she leaned closer and whispered, “You must buy protection p>
“Oh.” Nathaniel hissed softly.
He had… strategically forgotten that part.
But what could he do now? Serena asked for responsibility. That was extremely inconvenient for his sibling-delivery plan.
He cleared his throat, slipped an arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek. “Love, the stores are already closed p>
She slowly turned her head toward him, eyes narrowing. “Nathan, what are we? In the eighteenth century p>
He groaned. Modern convenience has truly ruined romance p>
“Pull the car over at the nearest NC Pharmacy branch,” he instructed the driver.
Later, their vehicle pulled to a stop. Nathaniel stepped out and walked into one of their pharmacy branches, the staff immediately recognizing him.
“Mr. Thorne, good evening p>
“What can we help you with, Mr. Thorne p>
Nathaniel merely nodded. Then, he scanned the rows of condoms.
Super thin. Check.
Brand currently being questioned for product failure. Check.
Nathaniel picked up a box and examined the back with unsettling seriousness.
Then he turned to the pharmacist and said, “I’m currently operating under budget constraints. Do you happen to have… clearance stock p>
The two pharmacists stared at him.
“Sir,” one of them said slowly, “you own this pharmacy p>
“Exactly,” Nathaniel replied calmly. “I’m simply optimizing company resources p>
They blinked.
Nathaniel tapped the glass counter. “Expired. Super thin. XL p>
The female pharmacist’s face flushed violently. The male pharmacist looked like he was reconsidering his career choices.
“Sir… expired condoms defeat their purpose,” the male pharmacist said carefully.
Nathaniel clasped his hands behind his back, looking gravely thoughtful. “You say that like purpose cannot evolve p>
Both pharmacists froze.
“I am currently engaged in high-risk marital reconciliation,” Nathaniel continued. “Success requires… calculated optimism p>
“Sir the female pharmacist whispered, mortified. “This sounds medically irresponsible p>
“This sounds romantic,” Nathaniel corrected.
The male pharmacist cleared his throat. “Sir, if this fails, the legal department will blame us p>
“Look, I’m trying to win back my
family.” Nathaniel leaned slightly closer. “If this fails, my children, who are already planning names for their future siblings, will blame me Trust me, their sad eyes, trembling dips, and coordinated emotional manipulation are far more terrifying than the legal department p>
The two pharmacists exchanged a long, silent look.
Eventually, the male pharmacist slowly pulled old stock from under the counter like
he was handling illegal contraband.
“Marvelous,” Nathaniel said before inspecting the box. “Thank you very much. Charge this to my account p>
Finally, the male pharmacist sighed and said, “Good luck, Sir p>
Nathaniel gave a solemn nod. “Thank you. If all goes well, I expect both of you at
my child’s first birthday party p>
He returned to the car quickly, and they were taken to the hotel.
Honestly, Nathaniel was still uncertain if Serena was ready to see their marital home. So, for now, he opted for them to stay at the Astoria Hotel Besides, Serena had not requested to see the villa nopnad she brought it up.
But he hoped that one day, Serena would be willing to look past the past and accept
their home as part of their future.
When they made it to their suite, Serena wanted to bathe first, but Nathaniel suggested, “How about he let out a faint smile, “we go in together p>
Serena’s blush deepened. “Up to you p>
She briskly walked into the bathroom without waiting for his answer.
Nathaniel removed his clothes quickly. He followed her toward the bathroom, every step tightening the coil of restraint he had been holding onto all evening.
The air between them felt heavier now, charged with need.
His gaze lingered on her — the soft curve of her shoulder, the faint tension in her
posture, the way she took deep breaths.
He remembered every inch of her. Worse… his body remembered too.
Nathaniel’s sex was a hard rod.
For years, he had forced himself to
bury this hunger beneath regret and distance. Tonight, standing this close to Serena again and knowing they were going to cross that line that hunger burned deep.
He wasn’t just anticipating touching her.
He was anticipating reclaiming something he had lost, something he had never stopped wanting.
Nathaniel’s hands settled firmly on her shoulders before he leaned down, his lips grazing her cheek with deliberate heat.
“I’ve been holding myself back for years,” he whispered. “Tonight… I don’t know how much restraint I have left p>
His voice softened. “But I’ll try not to overwhelm you p>
“We can… take it slow p>
“How do you feel about… doing it all night p>