บททั้งหมดของ SWEET TEMPTATION: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

CHAPTER 41 CAROL "Hello, stranger," I managed to say, my voice a bit shaky. "Hello." An awkward silence stretched between us, heavy with everything we hadn't said. "What are you doing around here?" I asked, trying to regain my composure. He looked behind me and arched an eyebrow, as if the coffee shop sign wasn't obvious enough, but he answered in a deep voice: "I came for a coffee. I needed to stretch my legs and escape that meeting for a second." He gave me a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That makes two of us. I needed a caffeine fix before continuing my search for a dress for tonight's dinner." "Can't find anything? I find that hard to believe. Anything you wear will look incredible on you." His compliment made me blush instantly. "The problem is I can't find something I actually like." "Hum, I understand. I just finished doing exactly the same." He showed me a paper bag he was carrying; I hadn't noticed it until that moment. "I don't think I'l

CHAPTER 43 CAROL Inside, we were greeted by the hostess, to whom Susan introduced herself so she could quickly lead us up a spiral staircase toward the reserved VIP area. The venue was on the terrace, offering a breathtaking view of the Thames and the dark blue sea of the London sky. The lighting was dim: recessed floor lights highlighting the polished wood, palm trees in the corners, and decorative candles on the tables, all wrapped in soft Italian background music. To the right stood a rectangular bar, and the tables were scattered with a few people dining. Ours was the most secluded one and wasn't under the roof, which made me wonder why. As we approached, I saw they had joined two tables together, accompanied by eight chairs. The hostess moved nervously under our collective gaze; you only had to look at her to suspect the woman had once had something with Will—a thought that made my hands tremble slightly. "Hey, calm down. Stop looking at the poor girl with that killer face

CHAPTER 45 CAROL "Will! What are you doing?! Put me down!" "No." I looked up, dying of embarrassment; Dylan had stood up from his seat, and Susan was holding his hand while saying something to him. I pressed my forehead against Will’s back, resigned, waiting for him to finish his little drama. He carried me all the way to the restrooms, kicked the door open, and walked in. He set me on the floor only to make sure no one else was in the stalls. Once checked, he locked the door and turned toward me. "Oh, no. I know that look. I’m not willing to do this here." Will had that expression of 'I want to fuck you, but I’m furious' etched onto his face. "Do what, exactly?" His voice sounded husky, making me shiver. I was afraid, but I wouldn't let him notice. I decided to attack from the flank of my second suspicion. "Talk about whatever is bothering you in this place. And I assure you... you’re not the only one feeling resentful." He arched his eyebrows in a gesture of mock surp

CHAPTER 47 CAROL "No, I’m not 'thinking' anything. It’s just that everything gets exhausting, and everything has a limit. And my limit for today has reached its end." "Come, let’s go upstairs," Will pleads. "No. I’m sorry, but today I want to be alone." "God damn you if you think you’re leaving here!" he explodes. "God damn you, Will, if you think you’re going to stop me!" "You are not leaving," he screams at me. "I never asked for your permission to leave." He grabs me by the shoulders with such force that a whimper escapes me. I glare at him, beyond pissed. "Get your hands off me, you’re hurting me." I swat at his hands to knock them off my shoulders. "I don't want you to touch me again for the rest of your fucking life, William Ashford. You need to know when to give a woman space... at least give me space!" I give him a stern look. "Don't say that, please," his voice breaks into a weak whisper. His eyes pierce my soul; they are bloodshot and filled with t

CHAPTER 49CAROL"I want the key to the suite." He looks at me over his shoulder."Right away, sir," she says, handing him a gold card with a black stripe. "Is the lady with you?"My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets."Sure." He grabs my arm again, leading me toward the elevators. He presses the call button as we stop in front of them."I don't think I’m understanding this," I say, the bewilderment clear in my voice."You don't need to understand anything. I just want you to rest, and tomorrow you can decide what you’ll do."His somber expression leaves me uneasy.We get into the elevator and travel up the 42 floors in complete silence. I could see his handsome, furrowed brow anywhere I looked, as the space was filled with mirrors.He looks so much like Will that I feel an urge to kiss him and erase that palpable worry from his face.Then, out of nowhere, that little voice inside my head—my subconscious—makes its grand entrance, popping out from behind the sofa with a sour face, sh