Chapter 65 Boudoir Bliss
The trumpets of victory sounded as Alyssa's face lit up with a delighted smile, and she excitedly hugged Reese, planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Girl, you're incredible! It's like you've had practice at this."
Reese handed her the phone, her porcelain complexion betraying no sign of exertion, her calm almost excessive.
"You could totally rub it in his face now. Make him stick to his promise and call you 'daddy'."
Alyssa laughed heartily. "I can't wait! You must play all the time to be that good."
Any previous irritation Alyssa held toward Reese evaporated. Now, Reese was her idol, her recent display of skill nothing short of miraculous.
"Not really. I only played when Arena of Valor was new, but I got tired of it fast and deleted it."
Alyssa was even more astonished. "You're this good without playing often? That guy probably won't believe it was me playing."
"It doesn't matter who played, we won. Just wait for her to call you 'daddy.'" Reese glanced at the clock; it was getting late and she wanted to get some sleep.
Alyssa shook her head. "Poor Malcolm, getting pricked with needles every day."
Reese was just about to open the door when she heard this and warned, "You might want to keep comments like that to yourself, in case Malcolm hears..."
Alyssa quickly covered her mouth.
After Reese left, Alyssa clenched her fist, her face alight with excitement. "Yes!" she exhaled. Revenge had finally been hers.
Reese entered the room to find Malcolm had just finished a call with Justin Chabon about Henry Kim. Hearing that Henry wouldn't be out of the hospital for a month, Malcolm felt a wave of relief.
Surprised, she asked, "You're back early?"
Malcolm's smile was tinged with delight. "Wanted to see my wife."
Reese was caught off guard by his sudden display of affection. She'd never met a man like Malcolm, who gave the impression of being cool and distant but turned out to be incredibly clingy with her.
Rolling up her sleeves, she reached for the acupuncture needles in the drawer, issuing a playful warning. "If you don't start talking normally, I won't go easy on you. I'll make you experience a whole new level of pain."
Malcolm teased her in his nonchalant way. "I know you wouldn't bear to."
Reese raised her chin defiantly. "Wanna bet?"
She advanced towards Malcolm, needle in hand, but with lightning-quick reflexes, he scooped her into his embrace and captured her lips in a kiss. Reese's eyes flickered with a sharp edge, seizing the chance to drive the needle towards Malcolm's skin.
But the man wore a sly grin, having already seen through her intent. His hand snapped out, gripping her wrist just as she made her move.
"Darling, would you really hurt me?" he teased.
"Malcolm, stop it, or I won't be so nice!" Reese warned.
Reese had never been treated this way by a man before, and she realized, to her irritation, that she was no match for him. With Malcolm's agility even in his current state, she dreaded to think how formidable he'd be at full strength - she could end up being easy prey.
Pulling her close, their bodies pressed together, his warm breath caressed her ear, sending her pulse racing.
"You know," he murmured, "they say this is the wedding night."
Her normally still heart was inexplicably sent into a burst of warmth, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Who wants your 'wedding night bliss'? Let go of me!" she snapped.
She was nearly livid. How could this man be so domineering and shameless? Anyone else would have taken the hint and left, but he seemed to thrive on the challenge.
And what annoyed her even more was the fleeting tension and excitement she felt earlier. What was that all about?
Malcolm enjoyed watching her bristle. She was always so calm and collected in front of others, never letting anyone affect her emotions. It was eerily composed for someone in her twenties.
He wondered what she had gone through to temper her personality so, as if it had been forged over centuries.
Suddenly, he was overcome with the desire to know about her past, to understand what she had endured.
Malcolm wasn't in a hurry. After all, she wasn't going anywhere now that she was in his grasp.
He released her but was careful to avoid her hitting the sharp corner of the bedside table. Reese, thinking he was making another move on her, pushed him away.
"Malcolm, how long has it been since you've been with a woman?" she asked, skeptical.
"Darling, I've encountered countless women," he replied with a chuckle, "but someone as intriguing as you? Never."
His smile reached his eyes, which had a restrained intensity that was unexpectedly alluring.
Reese internally scoffed. Life wasn't fair. Not only was he born handsome, but he was also so smooth-talking she could barely resist.
This man, she supposed, was a force to be reckoned with.
She had no interest in further conversation; once the affair at hand was dealt with, she was going to rest.
Once Reese was ready, she began inserting the needle. Malcolm watched her hands and the profile of her face, stern rather than soft, with bright, spirited eyes. She must have been a woman of strong convictions.
He couldn't help but think about the scene at the hotel earlier, where Henry Kim cursed at her through gritted teeth. Malcolm secretly wished he could watch a replay of that moment.
"Did that Henry Kim cause you any trouble today?" Malcolm inquired.
Reese paused her needlework slightly, glancing up at him with her beautiful, puzzled eyes. "How did you know about that?"
But then, in the next second, she had an epiphany.
"Did you break Henry Kim's leg?" she asked.
"Mmm-hmm." He wouldn't let anyone bully his girl. She was under his protection.
As long as she was someone Malcolm looked after, no one could lay a finger on her.
Reese rolled her eyes at him, "That was unnecessary. Even without you breaking his leg, I could have had him bedridden in the hospital for weeks."
She lowered her head and continued with her acupuncture, clearly distracted. Despite her outward bravado, she was inwardly moved. It was like someone was willing to shelter her with their own wings.
The idea of someone standing up for her, of someone being afraid of her getting hurt, warmed her chilled heart like a caressing flame.
Malcolm's eyes softened, the corners of his lips curling slightly.
"But now, he'll be staying in the hospital for a month."
Reese fell silent, a rare occurrence. Usually, she'd have a biting retort for Malcolm's meddling, but she found herself not only comfortable with his kindness but also longing for it.
For the first time since she could remember, apart from Calvin and his crowd, someone had gone out of their way to help and protect her. It was a bizarre yet magical feeling.
Reese, lost in her thoughts, managed only a couple more pricks before losing interest. She stood up.
"Let's call it a day."
Malcolm frowned and, as she turned to leave, reached out to pull her wrist, drawing her back into his embrace. Reese felt her ire rising, compounded by the turmoil in her heart and Malcolm's previous advantages, and was ready to lash out.
But then he cradled her face in his hands, his eyes brimming with tenderness, his voice low and patient.
"Are you angry?"
Reese stubbornly tried to turn away, but she couldn't move. She remained defiant.
"No, I don't get angry over trivial people or things."
Because they're not worth it.
Malcolm lifted his warm palm, gently and soothingly stroking her hair.
"Don't be upset, darling. A touch will make it all better."
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