Chapter 19
When Luther came in, I walked to the door and grabbed a pair of slippers from the shoe rack. Then, I placed them on the mat.
He extended his hand, signaling me to support him. I stepped to his side and slipped my arm under his, pulling him close.
“Did that incident during the day hold you up?” I asked nervously.
“No, it didn’t,” Luther replied. He let out a sigh, and the strong smell of alcohol made me feel dizzy.
Luther went to the bathroom. I stood in front of him, helping to unbutton his shirt. I couldn’t hold back what was on my mind, especially about the suit purchase. I felt it wasn’t my fault but a trap set by her on purpose.
I licked my lips and mustered the courage to say, “Believe it or not, Ms. Larkin didn’t mention buying a pantsuit over the phone.”
Luther closed his eyes, leaning lazily against the sink with his hands propped behind him. Hearing my explanation, he slowly opened his eyes and said, ” Are you still hung up on this?”
I froze, and my hands stopped mid–motion.
Our eyes met, and he looked at me with disdain. “Are you still brooding over something so small? Weren’t you trying to look smart in front of me? Right now, you just look foolish.”
I was speechless. He saw right through me, reading my every thought clearly.
“L…”
I tried to say something, but he raised a hand and gently stroked my face.
“Results are what matter most in the workplace. I trust you didn’t hear her say it, but she did say it nonetheless.”
“Do you believe me?” I asked, feeling surprised.
Luther traced my lips with his finger. “It’s hard to fool me. But if someone fooled you, it just means you need more experience.”
I was taken aback that he was actually trying to teach me. I lifted my head, wondering if it was just my imagination.
His gaze darkened when it met mine.
“But she really did wrong me,” I teased, snuggling into his arms and wrapping my arms around Luther’s waist. “You had no idea how my day went. I kept worrying you’d misunderstand me and was afraid you’d get mad.”
I heard him laugh pleasantly from above me. I pressed my cheek against his warm, broad chest.
From the time we had spent together, I had figured out that Luther liked it when I acted cute around him. Even in bed, when I teased him a little, he liked it as well.
He bent down, leaning close to my ear, and whispered, “Are you really afraid I would get mad?”
I nodded.
He kissed me firmly on the cheek, then pulled me up to shower together.
The night grew late. The silence was so deep that one could hear a pin drop.
Lying in bed, my mind drifted back to what Adeline had said.
I looked like Luther’s first love.
Was every moment of his tenderness and passion just him using me to ease his regrets?
I turned over, facing away from Luther. Suddenly, I heard him murmur from behind me, “Tessa…”
I froze, fully convinced that he was not addressing me.
Adeline’s words echoed in my mind like a curse.
With Luther’s looks and status, it seemed impossible that he could not keep his first love by his side. Who would reject a man like him?
I grew more curious about his first love. I wanted to know why they broke up and who ended it.
The next morning, we sat at the breakfast table. He noticed my awkward way of sitting and couldn’t help but smile even as he ate.
While Lucy was busy in the kitchen, I took the chance to deliberately kick his foot under the table. Luther chuckled softly.
“Why are you kicking me?” he asked.
Luther really knew how to get under my skin, asking a question he already knew the answer to.
I pouted. “Don’t you know?”
Luther smiled slyly and said, “Do you need to see a doctor?”
