In that instant, Anathea felt as though a tsunami had erupted inside her. She stared at Gregory in disbelief.
She hadn’t seen Adam in six years because Gregory had never allowed her to. However, now, he was the one voluntarily lifting the restriction.
She felt as if she was dreaming.
“Really? I can?” she asked in uncertainty.
“Yeah,” Gregory replied quietly. His mind wasn’t on that at all.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her into his embrace and rested his chin on her shoulder.
He then sighed and uttered hoarsely, “Anathea, I really missed you. Help me.‘
Anathea pressed her lips together. She could feel his…
3
She wasn’t sure at what point his words had begun to soften her heart, but she was still a bit at a loss upon hearing his request. “Help how?”
She didn’t know how, and she was nervous.
“I’ll teach you.” Gregory chuckled, grabbing her wrist and kissing her lips.
An hour later, Gregory held Anathea close as they washed their hands.
He held Anathea’s small hands in his while she blushed hard.
Just now, he’d held her hand like this, guiding her step by step. And she hadn’t even been able to hold it properly.
Gregory laughed lowly beside her ear. “Why are you shy? It’s not as if it’s the first time.”
“This is different!” Anathea retorted, her face still red.
“How so?”
“It just…” Anathea didn’t know how to explain and simply shut her mouth, squeezing some soap and washing her hands.
Her mind kept replaying what had just happened. Gregory had been breathing right in front of her, sounding rough and sexy.
Her face flushed even redder.
Gregory stared at her blushing cheeks. With his other hand, he gently touched her still–flat stomach and smiled. “It’s about 11 weeks now, right? Two more weeks, and it’ll be fine.”
‘Anathea’s movements gradually slowed down.
She understood what he meant. In two weeks, he would want her.
That was why he was acting so gentle and thoughtful tonight. He was offering her something sweet in advance to unlock the door she’d long kept shut so he could ask for more.
He knew she always responded to softness, not force.
So, everything just now had been nothing more than his strategy to conquer more ground.
For a moment, the ripple in Anathea’s eyes slowly faded. The warmth in her heart slowly turned cold again.
That was close–she’d nearly let herself be swept away by his tenderness.
1/2
Chapter 214
+25 BONUS
Still, the fact that Gregory was allowing her to see Adam was already the biggest concession he could make. Anathea couldn’t help but feel excited when she thought about seeing her father tomorrow.
“She really missed Adam.
Gregory lay in bed, watching her curled up in his arms like a kitten, fast asleep. The corners of his lips curved into a confident, possessive smile.
It had been a long time since he’d shared a bed with Anathea like this.
That book was right–conceding first was the best way to gain control.
If he could use Anathea’s bond with Adam to coax her into helping him with her hands, then he could use the same method again to coax her into yielding to him in bed.
If he could get her body, then naturally, he could get her heart again. He could get back the Anathea who used to be entirely his.
He didn’t love her, but he enjoyed her love for him. After all, in all his life, no one had ever loved him. She was the first.
Over the years, he’d acted indifferent but had grown addicted.
Anathea’s love had become his addiction.
When her love faded, he was like an addict in withdrawal. He was desperate to have it again, no matter what it took.
Gregory had a good night’s sleep, which was rare. When he woke up, it was already bright outside.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Cyrus, who’d come in to deliver Gregory’s suit, saw Gregory awake and greeted him respectfully. “Good morning, Mr. Sinclair.”
Gregory answered with a hum, rubbing his temples with one hand and reaching to his side with the other. He wanted to pull Anathea into his arms for a bit more affection, but he found nothing there.
Frowning, he questioned, “Where’s Mrs. Sinclair?”
