Chapter 138
In a hotel room.
Kristin stirred from a heavy slumber, feeling an unusual warmth by her side.
Instinctively snuggling closer to the source of comfort, she abruptly jolted awake as her forehead bumped into Rhett’s chin.
“Ouch.” Rhett winced, rubbing the reddened spot on his jaw,
Panic–stricken, Kristin immediately cupped his face with concern. “Mr. FitzGerald, I’m so sorry.” The awkwardness of their proximity was undeniable as Rhett looked down at her with a resigned expression.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I don’t know how I ended up…” Kristin was on the verge of tears, utterly confused about how she had ended up in Rhett’s embrace.
“We’re legally married now. Isn’t sharing a bed part of marital duties?” Rhett was calm, but his heartbeat quickened at the sight of her tear–rimmed eyes.
In the past, he’d never felt a strong impulse towards any woman, believing his rationality could overcome any carnal desires. Yet now, he understood it was hard to resist the lure.
“I mean,” Kristin stammered to sit up, but Rhett’s hold on her was firm, and she dared not move. Rhett felt his body temperature rising. In this lucid state, he found himself really wanting her body and soul.
“You know. It’s said that if a husband doesn’t share his bed with his wife after marriage, neglecting his duties, it’s a form of abuse and illegal,” Rhett explained, trying to educate Kristin on the matter.
Kristin looked at him, bewildered. “Really?”
“Yep,” Rhett confirmed with a nod.
“So…” Kristin bit her lip, “Does our prenup mention anything about this?”
“No.” Rhett cleared his throat, his voice slightly strained. “Come on and get up. We should get going.”
Kristin dropped her gaze, her mind racing. Rhett was a desirable man, his life was never short of female attention. If Hertha could manipulate him once, she could do it again.
“Could…,” Kristin’s fear of being deemed worthless by Rhett crept in, “Could you maybe… not be with other women? I can do whatever they can.”
The thought of Rhett discarding her terrified her. Whether it was the Haywood family, the Turner family, or Vincent and Nicola, any of them could crush her without effort. Harriet was
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right. Kristin had to cling to Rhett.
“I’m not dirty.” Kristin said, recalling the health report she had shown Rhett. He had rejected her then.
Remembering Rhett’s reaction at the time made her even more anxious. She quickly retracted, “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant. I apologize.”
“What did you mean?” Rhett’s smile was gentle, but his gaze was intense.
Kristin, biting her lip hard, took a while before she softly grasped the collar of Rhett’s shirt. “I showed you my medical report but you didn’t agree then.”
Rhett recalled Kristin’s offer to share her bed with him.
Rhett frowned, looking notably pale as he clearly questioned whether he had lost his mind. during that moment.
“Mr. FitzGerald…” Seeing his face change, Kristin cried with fear, choked and grabbed his skirt corner, and explained in a panic. “I’m really not dirty…”
Rhett took a deep breath, squeezed Kristin’s chin and kissed her.
Kristin looked at Rhett stiffly and forgot to breathe for a moment.
Rhett got Kristin in his arms. “Are you going to suffocate yourself?”
Kristin breathed quickly and panicked to hide.
“What can you do?” Rhett was also burning his breath. God knew what he was enduring.
Kristin clenched her lips and raised her trembling hand to unbutton Rhett’s clothes.
“I will not force others.” Rhett took her hand.
Kristin shook her head anxiously. “No, I’m not forced, I just can’t help shaking.”
Kristin broke into tears, desperately trying to explain.
She didn’t hate Rhett and just got out of her control when she was excited because of her past experience and depression.
“I might be willing to learn…” Her voice was tinged with a sob. Kristin wasn’t skilled in the art of pleasing a man, but she was willing to learn.
Harriet was coming to Silvergrove City and had promised to teach her.
Just thinking about the things Harriet had described over the phone made Kristin’s face burn with embarrassment.
Rhett, leaning back against the headboard, released her hand, signaling her to continue.
With her head bowed and face flushed, Kristin hesitantly reached for the buttons of Rhett’s shirt when a knock on the door interrupted them. York’s voice echoed, “Mr. FitzGerald, it’s almost time. You need to get ready.”
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Chapter 138
Rhett darkened his expression and was considering skipping an important bid for a project because of Kristin. He now understood why ancient kings were often led astray by enchantresses, neglecting their royal duties.
Kristin, with tears brimming in her eyes, looked so vulnerable that…
Taking a deep breath, Rhett sat up straight, his voice low. “Head to the venue first. We’ll continue this evening.”
Her ears burning, Kristin wished the ground would swallow her up. She had been on the verge of seducing Rhett.
She was losing her mind. How was she any different from those other women?
Clutching her fingers tightly, Kristin slipped into the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water to calm herself.
She was indeed going mad. To ensure Rhett wouldn’t cast her aside and to protect her when Adrienne returned, she was willing to offer even her body.
What would Rhett think of her now? Would he see her as cheap?
What was she to do?
Downstairs in the hotel lobby, the world continued on, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding in the room above.
As York shuffled through the project materials on his desk, he glanced up to meet the stern gaze of Rhett.
The sudden chill in the air made York shiver slightly, and York lowered his voice respectfully. “Mr. FitzGerald, did you have a rough night?”
Rhett’s glare could cut through steel.
An icy shiver ran down York’s spine, prompting an involuntary gulp.
Kristin trailed behind Rhett, her head bowed so low it was as if she was trying to burrow into the floor, her ears flushed a deep crimson.
What on earth had happened?
“York, which position are you interested in?” Rhett was impatient, clearly eager to dispatch York elsewhere.
York twisted his face into an awkward grimace. “Mr. FitzGerald, are you firing me?”
Rhett let out a derisive chuckle, his patience already threadbare.
“Mr. FitzGerald, after we deal with Neal, I’d like to move to the investment division,” York ventured. His loyalty to Rhett was unwavering, and he eyed a pivotal role within the company.
Neal’s departure seemed inevitable. York was keen to slide into his shoes.
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Rhett had already considered this and turned to Kristin. “Once we’re back in Silvergrove City, sort out Neal promptly.”
“Of course, Mr. FitzGerald,” Kristin responded, nodding as she followed in Rhett’s wake.
She interpreted Rhett’s command as a push to eliminate a potential threat.
But Rhett’s intentions were focused on removing York, the human equivalent of a love breaker.
His presence was nothing more than unnecessary.
