Chapter 185 Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here for You
with
look of surprise, Alyssa exclaimed, “Reese, how did you know
was behind you all along?”
“Those little stalking tricks of yours… Reese shrugged nonchalantly Raised in the countryside, where break–ins were a threat, she had honed her sense of hearing to a sharp point.
constant
Alyssa laughed, swiftly y moving closer to express her admiration. “Rese, you are my idol from now on. I can’t express how impressed I am. Dahlia looked like she was about to burst.”
Unruffled, Reese replied, “Treat others w
with respect, and they’ll return the favor. But if someone oversteps, I won’t hold back. We’re all new to this life, why should anyone be a pushover?”
After making her point, Reese gestured toward the hose in Alyssa’s hand. “Be sure to return that to the neighbor.”
Alyssa nodded. “Alright.”
Reese then retreated to her room, feeling a bit weary after rummaging around for so long. She opened her closet, intending to change into something more comfortable. As she peeled off her layers until only her tank top remained, Malcolm suddenly pushed the door open and leaned casually against the frame, admiring his wife with a relaxed demeanor.
His fingers grazed his chin, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he quirked an eyebrow playfully. “My wife’s got a figure that puts Dahlia to shame.”
Reese’s gaze turned icy, her voice sharp with a hint of ferocity. To anyone else, this may have been intimidating, but Malcolm wasn’t just anyone. He found her fiery spirit admirable.
He didn’t need his wife to be a knockout beauty, but she needed to be tough when the situation demanded it. This seemingly unremarkable girl had surprised him time and time again, much to his delight.
Even though Reese knew his words might be considered flattery, she couldn’t help feeling a tinge of satisfaction.
Lately, her emotions seemed increasingly tied to this man. Just like now, his casual comment, probably just idle talk for him, somehow sparked unexpected joy in her heart.
Malcolm noticed Reese’s distant gaze and moved closer to her. His tall frame bent slightly as he fixed his eyes on her for a moment before clearing his throat softly, his expression filled with warmth. Thinking about me, babe?”
His voice and sudden closeness snapped her back to reality. They locked eyes under the cold, white light of the room, highlighting Malcolm’s sharp features. His gaze lowered, eyelashes casting long shadows over his deep, brown eyes, which shimmered with a splintered light.
A ripple of disarray fluttered through Reese’s usually serene eyes. Think about you?” she retorted, her voice quick and crisp. “We see each other every day, what’s there to miss?”
No sooner had she spoken
in than he grasped her chin, tilting her face upward. His eyes were intense, focused on her clear, anxious gaze, his Adam’s apple moving subtly with a swallow.
*I want you to think of me a
and only me, every moment,” he declared
His words left her mind blank, their faces merely inches apart. The owing warmth of their intimate atmosphere felt like a dream. His eyes darkened, settling on her lips before he let out a husky command, “Open up.”
Without a thought, her lips parted slightly, spurred solely by the sound of his voice. He tilted his head, closing the distance with a
Chapter 185 Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here for You
Following his lead, Reese’s lips opened fully, allowing him to delve deeper, consuming her entirety.
Desire surged, overwhelming and possessive, and all Reese could fee was her heart pounding fiercely against her chest.
She could feel it–the thrum of his heart, so closely matched to her own.
As his hand slipped around her waist, hinting a yearning to draw her even closer, Malcolm suddenly sensed Reese stiffen in his arms. Something was off, especially with her breath growing short and sharp, like she was struggling for air. He instantly let go of
her.
“Honey, are you okay? Too nervous?” he asked, concerned.
Pushing Malcolm away. Reese was pale as a ghost. He gently stroked her back, his voice tender as if to soothe a child. “Babe, it’s alright, it’s my fault for being too hasty. From now on, I promise, no touching without your permission. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you…”
Malcolm had thought Reese’s aversion to him had lessened. He yearned to take their relationship further, desiring her wholeheartedly–hoping to cherish and protect her for the rest of his days, to preserve her unique essence.
He refused to let the vulgarities and filth of the world taint her innocence. He wished for her to stay true to her core, to open up and reveal her genuine self–not to have her thoughts and feelings concealed by a facade.
Reese felt shaken too, trembling uncontrollably from nerves. When she finally calmed a little and looked up, she saw the concern, the distress, and the worry flooding Malcolm’s usually indifferent eyes.
Was he… really worried about her?
Another man might have persisted, she mused, aware of his desire crashing within him. Why did he stop? Wasn’t it said to be painful for a man to halt his urges?
Seeing her flustered and lost gaze, Malcolm, for the first time, felt utterly helpless. No challenge at work had ever left him so emotionally confounded. His instinct wasn’t panic or worry, but an immediate need to find a solution, to make amends.
Yet he had never faced a problem as vexing as this. Reese’s reaction left him scrambling, uncertain how to comfort or console or even what to say.
In the midst of his internal turmoil, Reese spoke. “I’m sorry, did I startle you just now?
Hearing her relatively calm voice, Malcolm looked up and saw her forced smile. Even as her emotions were still unsettled, on a brave front to ask about his welfare.
With a warm hand cupping her cool cheek, he said fondly, “Silly girl was afraid something happened to you.”
His voice was deep and husky, soothing and utterly comforting, gradally easing her frazzled nerves.
For the first time, someone cared for her in this way.
she
put
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a mist of emotion glossing over her gaze I don’t know what came over me just now… but I’m okay now, don’t worry.”
Malcolm was crouched on the ground in a gesture that would look fully familiar to Reese if she paid attention–an earnest pose many would recognize as a marriage proposal.
We’ve gotta talk about what’s on your mind, don’t keep it all to youself. Remember, you’re not alone anymore. You’ve got me.”
Reese was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by a rush of emotions she couldn’t articulate, her heartbeat micke
Chapter 185 Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Here for You
threatening to burst out of her chest.
This man had brought her a level of excitement and surprises that she had never experienced before in her life.
Her fiery temper and daunting presence had scared off every promising suitor in the past, and even if someone did get close to her, they wouldn’t last more than a couple of weeks.
After some hesitation, she finally opened up to Malcolm. There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you, actually I…
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