Chapter 91:
Noticing the shift in his breathing, Linsey gradually slowed her movements before finally pulling her hands away.
Without a word, she watched him sleep, his serene expression bringing a warm smile to her face. While he was asleep, Collin’s features relaxed, the usual stern facade replaced by a gentle, vulnerable calm.
With a careful, almost reverent motion, Linsey reached for a blanket resting nearby. She draped it over him gently, ensuring he remained warm.
With a final glance, she switched off the bedside lamp and walked away in silence.
The next morning, the bedroom was bathed in a soft glow as warm sunlight streamed through the window, gently illuminating the bed where Collin lay deeply asleep, blissfully unaware of the morning hustle. Suddenly, the serene silence was shattered by the shrill ring of the phone on the bedside table.
Collin was woken up, his eyes snapping open. He scowled, his irritation palpable as he snatched up the phone.
“Who is it?” he grumbled, his voice thick with sleep and annoyance.
There was a brief pause on the other end before Dustin responded, his voice tinged with surprise, “Collin, where are you? Weren’t we supposed to meet this morning to discuss the details of the acquisition? Why aren’t you here yet?”
Collin’s mind raced as he momentarily froze, the weight of the forgotten appointment dawning on him.
He glanced at the clock and cursed under his breath for oversleeping. “I’m home. Just come and get me. I’ll be ready in a few,” he said, his tone brisk.
“Alright, I’m on my way,” Dustin replied, a note of resignation in his voice.
After ending the call, Collin threw back the covers and leaped out of bed. He rushed through his morning routine, and by the time he was dressed, his usual composed and aloof demeanor was firmly back in place.
Shortly after, Collin exited the villa and slid into Dustin’s car. As the door thudded shut, Collin sensed Dustin’s inquisitive eyes on him.
He slightly knitted his eyebrows, fiddling with his cufflinks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Dustin chuckled, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Well, look at that—a rare moment in history. You’re actually late?”
He nudged Collin playfully, his tone light and teasing. “Don’t tell me some enchanting romantic escapade held you up?”
Collin’s response was sharp, his brow furrowing deeply as he huffed, “Cut the nonsense, Dustin.”
He knew Dustin was implying that he had been intimate with Linsey. But truth be told, they hadn’t had sex yet, and he was determined not to let anyone, not even Dustin, joke about it.
Dustin’s face fell, his playful smirk fading into a look of mild disappointment. He hadn’t anticipated Collin’s complete lack of sexual enthusiasm. In Dustin’s eyes, Linsey was the epitome of allure, with a figure that could easily ensnare anyone’s desires. Yet here was Collin, her own husband, seemingly immune to her charms. To Dustin, this was hardly a shock—typical Collin, always the stoic. Had Collin actually succumbed to Linsey’s beauty, Dustin would have been taken aback.
Switching topics with a flicker of curiosity lighting up his face, Dustin leaned in closer. “By the way, that necklace you gave Linsey last night—how did she react? She must have been thrilled, right? Such a stunning piece it was.”
Collin shook his head with a hint of disbelief, his voice tinged with exasperation. “No. At first, she thought it was outrageously expensive and flat-out refused to accept it. I even had to threaten to toss it before she reluctantly agreed to keep it.”
Dustin’s eyes widened in shock. “Seriously? A woman who thinks jewelry is too expensive?”
