CHAPTER 3
928 Words
The knock still echoed in her ears.
Lottie hesitated.
Her pulse pounded as she stared at the door, half-hoping she’d imagined it.
But then—another knock. Firmer. More impatient.
She swallowed hard, her silk nightgown suddenly feeling too thin, too revealing.
Taking a steadying breath, she pulled the door open.
Nathaniel stood there.
His tie was loosened, his crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the flex of his forearms.
And his gaze—dark, unreadable, dangerous.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
His jaw was tight, his fingers curled into fists at his sides as if he were barely holding something back.
Lottie’s fingers gripped the doorframe. “Nate—”
“Let me in.” His voice was low, rough around the edges.
Her breath caught.
Everything about this was wrong.
He shouldn’t be here.
He was so drunk
She should tell him to leave.
She should close the door.
But she didn’t.
She stepped aside.
Nathaniel walked in.
Too Close definitely too Dangerous
He moved to the center of the room, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense.
Lottie shut the door, her fingers lingering on the knob, her heart hammering almost loudly.
She turned to face him. “What is this about?”
A beat of dead silence.
Then—“Laurent.”
She frowned. “And so, What about him?”
Nathaniel’s gaze sharpened. “You were enjoying his attention so much.”
Lottie blinked. “What?”
“The way he looked at you. The way you let him flirt with you.” His jaw clenched. “I don’t like it.”
She stared at him.
Then, before she could stop herself, she let out a short, breathless laugh.
“You don’t like it?” She folded her arms. “You sound drunk.”
His silence was damning.
Her pulse kicked up.
“Why do you care afterall?” she pressed.
Nathaniel took a step closer. “Because you work for me and for me alone.”
Her stomach tightened. “That is certainly not an answer.”
His eyes flickered, something raw and restrained flashing across his face.
Another step.
Now he was too close—close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body, the sharp scent of his cologne.
“You shouldn’t let men like him touch you,for no reason at all.” His voice was low, almost possessive.
Lottie’s breath hitched.
“And you should?”
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
His gaze flickered to her lips.
And then—his fingers brushed her wrist.
Barely there yet. Just a graze.
A warning. A test.
Lottie’s body went rigid, her skin burning intensely where he touched her.
Her voice came out unsteady. “Please—Please—Stop! You’re crossing a line.”
Nathaniel’s gaze was dark, unreadable. “Am I really?”
Her breath caught.
And then—he kissed her.
It wasn’t gentle.
It was hard. Very Demanding. Like a claim.
His hand slid into her Long hair, tilting her head back as his lips crashed over hers.
Lottie gasped against his mouth, a shockwave of heat exploding intensely through her body.
She should pull away and act fast. She should stop this right now.
But she didn’t, I mean, she couldn't
Her fingers fisted his shirt, holding onto him tightly as if letting go would send her spiraling.
Nathaniel growled, deep and low, his grip tightening as he pulled her closer—flush against his body.
His other hand skimmed her waist, fingertips teasing the silk of her nightgown.
God.
This wasn’t just a kiss.
This was so devouring and ravishing.
Consuming her so much.
She was not sure she loved it, but her feelings are raging at the moment.
What has he done to her?
His lips moved against hers with a raw, pent-up hunger, like he had been fighting this for far too long and had finally given in to this burning desire.
And Lottie—Lottie was burning alive.
Every part of her screamed for more and more.
Her body melted into him, her breath shaky as his hand slid lower—too close, too much.
She whimpered.
Nathaniel groaned, deep and primal, as if that tiny sound had shattered the last thread of his control — Ahh—He moaned, I love you so much.
She wasn't sure she heard right!
His teeth grazed her lower lip, a silent demand.
Lottie gasped, parting her lips.
And then—reality slammed back in.
She jerked away, her chest heaving. “Nate—”
He didn’t move.
Didn’t step back — Not even for a second.
His breathing was harsh, his hands still on her—one gripping her waist, the other tangled in her hair.
His gaze lingered on her lips.
He was considering kissing her again.
Lottie forced herself to speak. “We—We can’t.”
Nathaniel’s jaw ticked. His hands tightened—then, slowly, he let go.
His voice was dark. “You’re right.”
Lottie swallowed hard, her pulse wild.
She barely had a second to catch her breath before he took a step back, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
Then, just as she thought he’d leave, he turned to her.
His voice was quiet, lethal.
“Go to bed, Lottie.” His gaze burned into her. “Before I forget why I shouldn’t have touched you.”
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.
Leaving her standing there.
Shaken. Wanting. Ruined.
- Writer
