Chapter 108 Something's Not Quite Right
With a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Reese retorted, "Honestly, no."
Malcolm wasn't put off by her response in the least; in fact, he found himself increasingly fond of her straightforward and unpretentious demeanor.
"Well, I love you just the way you are, wife. Now let's get down to brass tacks—how did you manage to bring my grandfather around?"
"I just laid it out straight. I told him your leg's healed, but you’re keeping it under wraps because you fear someone might target you."
Someone as sharp and accustomed to the cutthroat business world as Finn Sawyer couldn't possibly fall for simple tricks. If the lies were ever exposed, it would be beyond embarrassing.
But Reese had gambled, seeing that Finn truly had Malcolm's best interests at heart; she chose to speak candidly. If Finn had sided with Vincent, she would have had to resort to different tactics.
Malcolm looked at Reese with a newfound respect. "You really took a risk there."
Reese just shrugged nonchalantly, "Doesn't matter. If things go south, I'll just divorce you and..."
Before she could finish, Malcolm's handsome face loomed close and his lips pressed against hers, silencing the rest of her words.
Her heart pounded as if it might leap from her throat, as she pushed him away forcefully, annoyance flashing in her shimmering eyes. She raised her hand to slap him but Malcolm caught it firmly.
Amusement twirled in his eyes as he playfully taunted Reese. "A wife shouldn't hit her husband."
She was indignant. "Who said you could kiss me?" Was she not supposed to set him straight after such an affront?
"If you mess up this handsome face of mine, you think you'd be able to stand the sight of it afterwards?" Malcolm teased unabashedly.
Reese snorted, "I'll be disgusted if I don't hit you. Seems you've forgotten what I told you last time."
She warned him not to touch her, let alone kiss her casually.
Malcolm, a man of commanding presence, was unsurprisingly unaffected by Reese's ire; her anger only made her more endearing. After all, girls ought to have some of that girlish flair.
His grip on her wrist wasn't forceful, yet Reese couldn't break free, causing a hint of shock to flick through her. Was all his fragility a farce? Ever since his leg healed, she felt his strength seemed vastly magnified.
If she were to physically confront him now, she might actually be at a disadvantage.
However, it wasn’t his kiss that drove Reese to the brink of madness—it was the slow caress of his fingertips on her skin; the warmth of his touch like was like a spark, threatening to ignite her.
Her skin felt like it was on fire, and her face was near combustion. Her heart hammered in her chest and pounded at an unfamiliar pace as an inexplicable sensation seized control of her senses.
She had always viewed herself as unflappable around men, no matter how handsome they were. Yet, when it came to Malcolm, a flicker of shyness emerged from within. But why?
The more Malcolm provoked unwanted reactions, the more she wanted to retreat, to keep her inner emotions shielded from his prying gaze—a need for security.
His gaze locked onto Reese's radiant complexion—a glimmer in his eyes as her lashes fluttered like a delicate butterfly. He leaned in slowly.
"I've noticed you look prettier blushing than when you're angry," he murmured.
His deep, magnetic voice made Reese's heart skip a beat. She glared back at him defiantly, her voice rising in protest.
"Shy? You're just hurting me, Malcolm. Let go of me, now!"
If this continued, the composed indifference she clung onto was in peril. She was beginning to feel strange, these budding sensations were intensifying rapidly.
Laughing, Malcolm released her. Reese aimed a kick at him, but he anticipated the move. Gracefully stepping back and quickly catching her ankle.
His eyes twinkled mischievously as he waved a finger at Reese.
"Not so fast, babe. Try anything sly, and you'll miss out on skills like mine."
Reese retracted her foot, feeling unimpressed. "Don't flatter yourself too much. You're not that great in my book."
"Say one thing, mean another," Malcolm teased, his finger tapping lightly against the tip of Reese's nose.
Her mind exploded in frustration; this man was surely sent by the universe to torment her.
Quickly stepping past Malcolm, she left the room needing to find a place to cool down.
She headed to Alyssa's room. Hearing movement, Alyssa turned around, and, spotting Reese, she exclaimed with delight.
"Reese, how did you know I was just about to look for you?"
It was just about time to call for Reese.
Reese strode over in a nonchalant gait, and Alyssa stood up, offering her place.
"Reese, take a seat."
Her tone was off—chilly, even.
"How many rounds are you up for today?"
"Two?" Alyssa inquired hesitantly, gesturing with two fingers.
Reese furrowed her brows and sensing that Reese felt that was too many, Alyssa quickly revised her question.
"Just one?"
Without a word, Reese reached down and zipped up her jacket with swift efficiency.
"Five rounds, I've got nothing else going on today anyway," said Reese with a casual shrug.
Alyssa's eyes widened in disbelief. "Five... five rounds? For real? Reese, are you sure you're not pulling my leg?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Reese shot her a lazy glance.
"Of course not, of course not," Alyssa laughed awkwardly. "It's just that it's already ten o'clock. If you play five rounds, it might go on until midnight. I just... I worry about Malcolm. You know, will he come looking for me again?"
She still had fresh memories of the last time; just because Reese took a nap in her room, the disapproving look in Malcolm's eyes nearly devoured her whole.
This time she had to be cautious. She'd rather lose some fans than get into another tangle with Malcolm.
From childhood, Alyssa had been somewhat terrified of Malcolm, especially his piercing eyes. They were disarmingly intense, and his commanding presence was palpable even from a few meters away.
Seeing her cower at the mention of Malcolm almost made Reese chuckle.
"Is he really that scary?"
"Are you not afraid? I mean, sometimes I think Malcolm could nearly scare someone to death."
It was true, some people have an innate regal presence, a natural command that struck fear into those around them. Malcolm was one of those rare individuals.
Reese shook her head.
And besides, she never found Malcolm that intimidating. Sometimes, he even seemed a bit... intriguing, although she'd never say it out loud.
That was something Alyssa couldn't see.
"Fine. As long as Malcolm doesn't give me any trouble, I'm more than happy for you to help me woo some fans, Reese."
Reese picked up Alyssa's phone and settled beside her, while Alyssa settled into her own chair, starting the live stream. She pretended to hold a phone, acting like she was gearing up for the game, her face radiating an enthusiastic smile.
"My lovelies, our trumpet of victory is about to sound. Show your support with gifts if you believe in my win!"
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