Chapter 4:Why So Shy?
679 Words
Nina could feel the subtle brush of his fingertips against the back of her neck with a fleeting touch, yet enough to make her shiver.
His breath, warm and dangerously close, fanned over her skin, sending chills down her spine.
The room was so quiet, she could almost hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.
As the necklace finally came undone, Nina murmured, “Thank you.”
Lucas stood above her, his gaze steady. His breath ruffled a few strands of her hair.
“We just met last night, and now you’re pretending we’re strangers?”
Nina froze.
He was a powerful man, and he hadn’t acknowledged her earlier—how could she dare to assume familiarity? She thought she'd never see him again. Yet here he was.
And worse...he was her love rival’s uncle.
What kind of cursed fate was this?
“That outfit suits you,” he said casually.
His voice instantly brought back memories of the night before. Her cheeks flushed.
Everyone said Lucas Parker, CEO of Eterna Group, was cold, restrained, and above earthly desires.
But last night... he was anything but restrained.
Her legs still felt weak just thinking about it.
Lucas glanced at the jade Buddha pendant on her necklace. It was intricately carved and clearly high-quality jade. “Do you know how to ride?”
“No.”
“I’ll teach you.”
Nina blinked in surprise.
...
At the stables, a handler led out a tall chestnut horse.
The horse towered over her, making her seem even more petite. As she struggled to mount, the horse shifted restlessly, tail flicking up dust, hooves stamping the ground. Her grip on the saddle tightened in panic.
She had no idea where to put her hands or how to balance her weight.
Lucas swung into the saddle behind her. Several people nearby exchanged curious glances.
Bryan’s expression darkened, his jaw tight with rage.
To him, this scene was the ultimate humiliation.
Nina caught a glimpse of Bryan’s furious face and bit her lip.
She was so focused on him, she hadn’t noticed when Lucas had gotten on the horse behind her.
Only when his warm, solid presence pressed up against her back did she snap back to reality.
His arms reached around her to take the reins, effortlessly enclosing her in his embrace.
“Watching another man while you’re in front of me?” he murmured into her ear, his voice low and teasing.
Nina's face flushed crimson.
Lucas gave the horse a light tap, and it began to walk. The motion pulled them closer together, every inch of her pressed against him.
“Relax,” he said softly. “Don’t be so stiff.”
His lips brushed her ear as he spoke, the heat in his voice making her ears burn.
Just as she began to calm down, the horse suddenly jerked and took off at full speed.
Nina let out a scream.
The gallop sent her bouncing against the saddle, the hard leather bruising her thighs. Her heart leaped to her throat, and her vision spun. She could do nothing but cling tightly to the man behind her.
Wind roared past her ears.
She was convinced she was going to die.
“Stop—please, make it stop!” Her voice trembled with fear, almost in tears.
Only when they were far from the others did Lucas finally rein the horse to a stop and dismount.
Nina, her heart still pounding, slid off the horse. Her legs gave way beneath her.
Her body was already sore from the night before, and now the saddle had left her thighs aching and bruised. She could barely stand.
“You weren’t this shy last night when you came on to me,” Lucas said coolly.
“I didn’t,” she muttered, flustered.
“You’re Bryan’s fiancée. You knew Lucy’s my niece. Was getting close to me part of your plan?”
His eyes were sharp, cutting straight through her.
Nina felt a chill spread over her skin.
“Did you take the pill?”
- Writer
