Chapter 161 You Better Step Up
"It's easy when you're willing to spend some cash. It's not like there's any shortage of hackers," Reese replied, her composure unwavering, and her responses as smooth as ever.
Malcolm observed her poise, considering that if this were all part of a meticulously crafted plan, then she had an eye for detail - her strategy was impeccably thought out.
A knowing smile danced at the corner of Malcolm's lips, as if he were hinting at a deeper understanding.
"Hmm... hackers? I had no idea my wife was so well-versed in these matters. Impressive."
If she were just some simple country girl, who would believe it? Articulate, quick to adapt, and not to mention how easily she could rattle people. When it came to strategic maneuvers, she had a natural talent.
Even when she spoke earlier, Malcolm never doubted her for a moment. He instinctively knew Reese had the capability to pull it off, and he could make an educated guess about the steps she had taken.
This clever girl might think she's in the clear as long as he doesn't uncover the truth, but she may be overlooking one crucial detail - they're married.
She remained tight-lipped, making extracting information from her an impossible task.
Yet, he was set on making Reese truly his wife. As they would grow closer over time, he believed she would reveal her secrets when she no longer felt the need to conceal them.
He knew Reese had her reasons for keeping things under wraps and would never push her against her will. But if the day came when she still hadn't opened her heart to him, he might have to resort to less conventional methods.
Reese scoffed dismissively, “Isn't that just like her?”
Malcolm could see through her feigned nonchalance, but others might buy into her act. The Flynn family, for instance, wasn't just anyone. Forming a lifelong connection with a family like the Flynns was a significant accomplishment.
Unless Reese had pulled some serious strings, there was no way Sawyer would have shown up at their doorstep to apologize so humbly.
Exposing her now, however, seemed pointless without proof. She wouldn't confess, given her stubbornness, and it might only make her more wary of him.
At least she wasn’t as resistant to his touch as before.
Malcolm affectionately ruffled her hair. “Okay, my wife’s wish is my command. How about a special reward for you today?”
Hearing his suggestive tone, Reese immediately realized his intentions and turned to run, but he had anticipated her move.
With an effortless reach at the moment she turned, he pulled her back into his arms.
Caught off guard, Reese stumbled into his embrace, and he steadied her with a firm hand, his kiss landing precisely.
As their breaths, once steady, became erratic, the heat between them surged. Reese could hear her heartbeat quickening, telling herself that she should push him away, yet her body was reveling in the sensation of his touch.
Somehow, she found herself pinned beneath him on the bed, their bodies close. She could feel his warm breath on her delicate skin, making her yearn to escape.
Her eyes opened slightly, meeting his deep gaze that harbored twin abysses, capable of drawing anyone in.
Looking down at her, Malcolm saw the girl's furrowed brows and eyes clear as obsidian, shimmering with intrigue, her lashes fluttering enticingly.
He chuckled, “Hasn’t anyone told you to close your eyes when you kiss?”
Reese turned her head. “Why should I? Who made that rule?”
“Don’t girls usually get shy in these moments, too bashful to even meet a man's eyes?”
He had been cautious not to frighten her just moments before, checking his own instincts at every careful, calculated step as he tried to guide her gently towards sensing his affection.
But this girl played by none of the usual rules. Far from being bashful, she brazenly stared him down, leaving him momentarily at a loss for how to proceed.
However, Reese had a different take on the situation.
"What's there to be shy about? We're adults," she stated matter-of-factly. "And even if things get serious, it's not like we can't handle it. If it doesn't work out, we can always pick ourselves up and move on."
Her words were charged with a fighting spirit, her expression betraying none of the vulnerability one might expect at such a moment.
Malcolm rubbed his temple with a mix of frustration and an inability to laugh it off. He wasn't sure if Reese was too nonchalant about matters like this, or if simply she was naive, not realizing the significance of a girl's first time.
Suddenly, he lost the urge to touch her—not out of a loss of interest, but out of empathy. These were things her mother should have told her, but Reese's family situation was a bit too complex to delve into, he reasoned.
He wrapped his arm around Reese’s waist and sat up, his warm palm soothingly gliding down her back, his voice soft and comforting as sunlight.
"Honey, this isn't something to take lightly. You should only do this if you want to, with someone you're willing to be intimate with. And you gotta be sure, really sure, that a guy is with you for the right reasons—not just for the physical stuff."
Reese looked into Malcolm's earnest eyes and at his helpless tone before she burst into laughter.
"Malcolm, do you think I'm an idiot?"
She genuinely didn't understand the importance of these things for a girl—she was all about going with the flow, although that didn't mean just any guy could get close to her.
For the first time, Reese's laughter was free and hearty, and she playfully patted his handsome face like one would soothe a child.
"I may not know if a man’s intentions are honest, but I believe time reveals all," she said confidently.
Malcolm held her close, his chin resting on her shoulder, finding more value in exchanging heartfelt words than in pursuing a physical relationship. He was eager to know everything about her, to become part of her life.
"What if one day I change and stop loving you? What then?" he asked.
"Divorce!" she answered without hesitation.
"You wouldn’t reconsider? Aren’t I worth trying to keep? If we divorce, you’ll get nothing, walk away with nothing. You'll be older, and it might not be so easy to find someone else."
Malcolm’s words were teasing; he was a devoted fan of his wife and would never betray her. Still, he posed these questions just to understand Reese a bit more.
But Reese replied calmly, "What's there to reconsider? If you ever do betray me, why would I degrade myself by chasing after you? Besides, if you cheat, it's not a given who walks away with nothing."
If anyone she truly cared for betrayed her, there was no amicable parting – was her youth not valuable? She wouldn't tolerate being trampled upon and squandered.
She believed that if one didn’t plan on taking lifelong responsibility, then one shouldn’t start something they couldn't finish.
Malcolm could sense the fury boiling in his fiery little wife's eyes as Reese spoke those words.
A flash of discomfort crossed his face, and he awkwardly coughed behind his hand.
"It was just a joke, honey. You're perfect. Why would I mess that up and go flirting with someone else? Rest assured, I'm loyal to you, through and through."
Reese waved him off, "Don't worry, I'm pretty open-minded. We're only married in name. As long as you don't cross the line, I'm not that petty."
The corner of Malcolm's eye twitched. "Why do I get the impression that, a moment ago, you were ready to rip me to shreds if I dared stray?"
Reese, never one to pull her punches even with her husband, feigned a smile and waved it off. "Feel safe. You haven't reached that esteemed status in my heart yet."
Even if she did decide to tear someone apart, they'd have to hold a special place in her heart first – mere attraction wasn't cause for concern.
Malcolm felt a gloomy pressure in his chest he couldn't release, yet he couldn't bring himself to lash out at the woman he adored. He'd have to bear it himself.
But he wasn't discouraged. Everyone knew about Malcolm's competitive nature, especially when faced with a challenge, he wouldn't give up easily.
A confident smile graced his lips. "Then I'll just have to become the most important man in your heart."
At his words, Reese's mouth twitched, reluctant to crush his confidence. She knew all too well how hard it would be for anyone to penetrate her inner world.
Over the years, even the people closest to her, like Calvin, couldn't claim to truly understand her.
To others, she seemed like an enigma – unpredictable and inscrutable, with a fierce individualism.
Still, someone dared to declare their intent to become the most significant in her life. She saw that Malcolm was genuinely trying to connect.
She thought back to when her grandmother, the most important person in her life, had passed away, leaving Reese alone to care for herself.
However, she chose to put that aside, and with a playful uptick in her tone and a rare touch of whimsy in her voice, she turned her head toward Malcolm. "Then you better work hard for it."
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