Skylar had always seen Joe as someone who was impeccably dressed, exuding an air of aloofness that made him seem untouchable. His voice, naturally cool and distant, only added to the mystery he carried. His handsome features further solidified his persona of a man who was both out of reach and untamable.
But tonight, the contrast between his usual cold demeanor and the seductive, almost dangerous tone he used was undeniable. His breath against her ear still lingered, sending a shiver down her spine and making her cheeks flush with warmth.
Joe’s gaze darkened, his fingers gently grazing her face, his touch light but deliberate. It was as if he had expected her skin to be as smooth as it was, and for a moment, it seemed like he was about to close the distance between them.
But Skylar, still caught in the intensity of the moment, pushed him away. The temptation was strong, but she wasn’t ready. Not yet.
“I haven’t showered yet,” she stammered, flustered. “I’ll go shower, and you… you go to the hot spring first.”
She pushed him out of the bathroom, avoiding his gaze. The sound of the door locking behind her made Joe pause, his desire still visible in his eyes. He stared at the door, his thoughts swirling. Skylar was unpredictable—one moment she was bold and confident, the next she was retreating into her shell.
Earlier in the afternoon, she had agreed to be with him so decisively, but now it seemed like she hadn’t fully considered what it meant to be married. Maybe it was more than just a formality.
Joe’s mind wandered as he imagined the flush of Skylar’s cheeks, the way her eyes had trembled under his gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he let out a low, hoarse breath. “Alright.”
Inside the bathroom, Skylar took a deep breath, her heart racing. She couldn’t help but recall Joe’s physique—he had the kind of body that made everything else fade away. Her mind wandered, trying to count how many abs he had. She quickly shook the thought away, focusing on calming herself down.
Outside, Joe had taken a moment to enjoy the night. He poured two glasses of red wine and placed them beside the hot spring. As he closed his eyes, taking in the quiet of the evening, he heard a familiar voice—Jeremy’s—coming from a nearby villa.
“Tell my wife I’m already on a business trip. Don’t say too much.” Jeremy’s voice was calm, almost rehearsed. A moment later, another call came through.
“I just got off the plane. The video conference ended early, and they’re pushing for the contract to be signed tomorrow morning. I didn’t have time to tell you. It’s so late; shouldn’t you be resting at home?”
Joe listened, his face impassive as he raised his glass to his lips, taking a slow sip. Jeremy’s lies were clear, but he didn’t react, maintaining his composure.
Meanwhile, Natalie felt a pang of sadness after hanging up. The day hadn’t gone as she had hoped. Earlier, she had spent time at a restaurant, waiting for Jeremy, only to find that he wasn’t there. Frustrated, she had wandered into a 24-hour adult store downstairs and bought some sexy clothes, hoping to surprise Jeremy. But he wasn’t at the office. It seemed like his work had kept him away, leaving her to question the time they had left.
As she turned to leave, she noticed the receptionist working overtime at the company. The receptionist, a friend of Natalie’s, had seemed relieved, almost as if she was happy to have avoided another awkward encounter. She often helped cover for her boss, but tonight, she felt lucky to have escaped it. After all, Natalie didn’t usually come to the office.
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