hapter 240: Avoiding The Unpleasant
“So, where might you be headed?” Malcolm asked, his gaze taking in her casual yet purposeful attire. “I’m meeting a friend,” Reese replied candidly, aware that Malcolm’s curiosity could easily turn into speculation. Their relationship was a delicate dance of insecurity and intuition, each attempting to decipher the other’s thoughts with a keen sense of insight. Reese was uncertain of the trials Malcolm had faced, but she was sure they were far from pleasant. Her frankness was fueled by her knowledge of a recent hiccup in one of his company’s projects, a situation that required hit immediate attention. Malcolm, however, didn’t probe further. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he playfully ruffled her hair. “Need a lift?” “No, thanks. It’s near your office,” she responded. Without pressing the matter, Malcolm suggested, “You should grab some breakfast first. Im not hungry,” she insisted, her mind. preoccupied with her impending meeting with Everhart. She was hell bent on extracting Malcolm’s secret from Everhart himself, eager to see if he could solve a mystery that had eluded her. Malcolm’s gaze sharpened on Reese, sensing she might be concealing something. But Reese was known for keeping her cards close to her chest, and prying wouldn’t yield any results. Uncharacteristically, her usually composed demeanor was wavering, and she was avoiding suspicion by maintaining eye contact. Collecting her thoughts, she said, “I should get going. Enjoy your breakfast.” “Have something to eat first,” he insisted again. This time, Malcolm was more assertive, effortlessly pulling Reese onto his lap with a firm grip around her waist that prevented her from wriggling free. Reese, who had been feeling rather irritable moments go, couldn’t suppress her laughterat his bold move. She turned to face the charming man behind her and unexpectedly quipped, “Looks like you’ve got me all figured out, anticipating how I’d react to your advances.“Malcolm’s fingertips gently traced the smooth curve of her earlobe, his Tobeh patient and tender. “When you’re into someone, you make an effort to understand them,” he murmured. Reese’s personality was incredibly captivating to him. He took pride in himself on his ability to judge character, but finding someone as intriguing as her was a rare occurrence. “Ill eat, okay? Just let me go first,” Reese pleaded, worn down by his persistence. Indulging in her surrender, Malcolm tapped the tip of her
now! she asked. nose affectionately. “There’s my good girl Reese hurriedly finished her breakfast as if it were a mission. “Happy” Take a sip of water,” Malcolm suggested, nodding towards the untouched glass. Reese was on the verge of losing her patience. “I from the don’t want to. But Malcolm wasn’t in any hurry, a sly smile gracing his lips. “You don’t have to.“With that, he took a sip glass himself, then slowly stood up, tilting Reese’s chin upward. Before she could react, he bent down and kissed her, his fingers applying just enough pressure to part her lips. As the water flowed down her throat, all Reese could hear was the sound of her swallowing
Malcolm, brimming with self–satisfaction, reveled in the shocked look on Reese’s face, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Should you over decline sustenance again, I won’t hesitate to nourish you in such a manner. ‘Reese’s cheeks flushed, her heart pounding–an act of such intimacy was foreign to her, something she would have found distasteful on television. Yet, with Malcolm, it was a wholly different experience–the atmosphere suddenly thickened with tension, leaving her speechless, her mind a blank canvas Abruptly, a voice from above, laced with mockery and jest, shattered the silence, Marvelous, canine cuisine for breakfast. You two certainly know how to live it up, don’t you? Alyssa sauntered down the stairs, a devilish grin adorning her face, casting a knowing look at the pair. “Wasn’t it you, Malcolm, who constantly lectured about maintaining decorum at home? Look who’s bending the rules now… “What she hadn’t anticipated was witnessing such warmth and allure from the typically aloof Malcolm. Even Alyssa felt a jolt! of exhilaration observing them together, so much so that it ignited her own yearning for romance.If Everly ever discovered this, shed likely be livid. It was akin to twisting a blade in her heart. The tender look Malcolm had been directing at Reese abruptly turned cold, his aura reverting to its previous intensity so swiftly it was almost jarring. He covered his mouth, coughing lightly. “Should a similar situation arise in the future, it would be wise to avoid it. “Alyssa’s eyes widened in shock. “There’s a next time?… Malcolm, if Grandpa Flynn witnessed this, he’d likely flay you.“Grandpa Flynn was a stickler for tradition. How could he ever condone such public displays of affection, such unabashed exchanges of kisses…The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.Reese maintained her poker face, but Alyssa’s incessant chatter was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and time was not on her side. I should get going. You two continue your discussion Reese, where are you going? Take me with you!“Alyssa was now keen to accompany her. Ever since she had tasted the thrill of action during a video game session, her fascination with Reese had eclipsed everything else.For her, men had lost their allure–Reese was her new focus. By the time Alyssa made it outside, Reese had already zoomed off. It was peculiar; Reese was never in such a rush to leave. Intrigue piqued; Alyssa quickly hopped into her car to follow.Upon pushing the door open, Reese immediately noticed the man by the window. Dressed in a sharp suit, engrossed with his phone, he was the kind who commanded attention wherever he went. He hadn’t been there long, yet he had already attracted a bevy of female admirers. She scoffed at his ostentatious display. Attractive yet devoid of compassion, he appeared flawless but was nothing more than an illusion She should have never fallen for his honeyed words.She strode over, an unmistakable aura of stay away emanating from her. Everhart sensed Reese’s arrival the moment she stepped in and promptly announced to the women eyeing him, “My girlfriend has arrived. They took the hint and dispersed immediately.Reese retorted without remorse, “How can someone like you even have a girlfriend? “Instead of taking offense, Everhart simply giggled.“Boo, it’s been a while, but your sharp tongue has certainly not dulled.” “Don’t repulse me, I am not your boo.“Merely hearing Everhart’s voice made Reese’s skin crawl, as single most revolting thing in existence. Had she not eaten so sparingly that morning, she might have actually regurgita her
