The gift he brought back from abroad had just been taken out of his suit pocket—and he'd already fastened it around her neck.
He had given her a pearl hairpin not long ago, and now a diamond necklace. She hadn't even spent much time with him, and yet he kept showering her with gifts.
As his breath brushed against her skin and he leaned in close, Celia groaned softly and tried to struggle, but his hold was firm.
"Why do you always give me gifts?" she asked, flustered.
Nathaniel's gaze deepened. The diamond was freshly mined from Antarctica—exquisite, rare, and handpicked by him.
Last time, the Emperor Star had been given to the wrong person and tainted. He'd thrown it away without hesitation and bought her this new one—one even more expensive.
"When I see diamonds, I just want to buy them for you. What, can't I?" he said with a lazy, indulgent smile.
Celia felt a strange flutter in her chest. Nathaniel Fu—this man—truly knew how to make a woman feel special.
He leaned down and kissed her again.
She instinctively wanted to grit her teeth.
"Don't bite," he murmured, voice deep and magnetic, like velvet in the dark. "Be good."
His tone was coaxing, almost playful. Celia felt her resolve crumble. Her hand slowly loosened its grip on his suit, then slid upward to his shoulder and clung tightly.
She parted her lips, allowing him in, letting herself melt into his arms.
"Nathaniel," she whispered his name.
He chuckled softly. "Calling my name now? Is that your way of admitting who holds the power here?"
· · ·
No one knew how long had passed.
Nathaniel eventually carried her out of the bathroom. Celia buried herself in the blanket, her flushed cheeks hidden away.
He tugged down the quilt with a slight frown, staring at her face with amused annoyance. "Why do you always hide your face in the quilt?"
As he said this, his fingers pinched her cheek gently. "What if this pretty little face gets smothered?"
Celia wriggled free from his hand.
Nathaniel got up and fetched a hair dryer. "Come here. I'll dry your hair."
Celia scooted over. He pulled her into his lap, resting her head on his thigh. Carefully, he removed the towel from her hair and began drying it.
His hands, usually used to sign million-dollar contracts, now combed gently through her long damp hair. His motions were patient and tender.
Celia tilted her head up, admiring the man's flawless profile. He was domineering and unyielding in bed, yet attentive and warm outside of it. A perfect lover in every way.
As their eyes met, Nathaniel raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. "What are you staring at?"
"Just thinking..." Celia smiled faintly. "You're dangerously handsome."
He gave a low chuckle. "Then do you want to stay with me... forever?"
Her heart skipped. She immediately looked away. "My hair's dry. You should go take a shower."
Nathaniel stood and switched off the hair dryer. "Then I'll take a shower."
The sound of water running came from the bathroom.
Celia lay in bed for a moment, then slowly got up, wincing slightly from the soreness in her body.
Clothes were scattered across the thick wool carpet. She bent down to pick them up.
Nathaniel came out just as she was tidying. "You don't need to do that. The housekeeper will clean up tomorrow."
She glanced back at him. "Still, it'd be embarrassing if the maid saw this mess."
He smiled faintly.
Celia asked, "Have you eaten?"
"I had some wine, but didn't eat much. What, is Mrs. Fu going to cook for me now?"