"Duke, you are unbelievable! Yes, Leena is married. It's not the end of the world. How long are you going to stay here? I've got a ton of work to do. C'mon. Just let it go." Belinda exploded with anger. All morning he had been sitting there brooding. And he still hadn't gotten over losing his sister to another guy. Or at least that's how she saw it. He was exaggerating!
"I haven't said a word yet. I see no reason why you should feel disturbed. Why do you care how long I will stay?" Duke said, without looking at Belinda. He was still flipping the magazine in his hands.
"You haven't spoken, but the very air feels oppressed. You're sitting there like a Buddha statue! If I sit in your office and look at you every few seconds, you'd feel weird too." Belinda rolled her eyes. If he was really upset, Duke could go find that man, have a fight, settle it once for all! What was the point of just sitting here and sulking? And worse, instead of his own company, he chose to sit in her office. What on earth was he thinking?
Um! Good advice. How about you come to my office and watch me at work this afternoon. So I can have a taste of this pressure." Duke seemed accustomed to Belinda's anger; He didn't move even an inch.
"You really think I have nothing better to do? I've got so much work piled up. Why would I waste time watching you work? Plus, it's not worth my time to look at you." Belinda glowered at him. She wished she could just throw this man back to his own office, then she could focus on her work.
"It's not worth your time? Say that again!" Duke narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at the defiant woman sitting opposite him.
"It's truly not worth my time. I'm afraid your poker face will ruin my mood." Belinda muttered in a low voice only she could hear herself. Well, at least it was true that he was affecting her mood. Everything was fine until he came and sat here statue-like. His face was sullen with anger, as if he were conned by some deadbeat. She just couldn't ignore his expression.
"Belinda, are you defying me?" Duke said through gritted teeth. Without any warning, Duke stood up and came forward. He leaned towards her, his face only inches from hers. Belinda was startled by his sudden movement. Did he have to move so fast? He could give her a heart attack.
"Duke, spit it out! What do you want?" Belinda felt her anger rise. Duke just didn't let it go. What was so bad about Leena's husband? Duke didn't like his look? His family background? Or, was Duke so possessive of his sister that he wanted her to stay single forever?
"I want nothing. I don't feel like working or doing anything." Belinda was going to freak out, Duke realized. Hands on her desk, he eyed Belinda playfully, and a fond look crossed his cold face.
"Then you can just stay at home, take a nap. If you don't want to do anything, it won't make any difference staying here." Belinda was beginning to lose patience with this hopelessly depressed Duke. If he kept annoying her, she would definitely start menopause much sooner.
Duke curved his lips wickedly. She had a good point here. Then before she could blink he just leaned over and his thin lips fell on hers without any effort, instantly took her breath away.
"Um…" Belinda's eyes were wide open; she was shocked by this kiss out of the blue. He was utterly brazen! They were still in her office! Anyone could walk in here any moment. It might not matter to him but she had no wish to cause a scandal. Her credibility would be in tatters if a co-worker saw them.
Duke chased the sweet fragrance hidden between her lips and teeth. He could feel his frustration seeping through the kiss. He inhaled her sweet scent hungrily and ferociously. After his dismay gradually ebbed away, his lips lingered, and caressed the soft line of her lips carefully. He was reluctant to end the sweet moment.
Belinda was forced to follow his lead; closing her eyes, she surrendered herself to the kiss. She had very mixed feelings about this man. Was this love? They were not there yet. But if this wasn't love, how could she feel more drawn to this man with each passing day. She even started to notice his habits and hobbies, which was unlike her. Was there a possibility that she fell for him already? If so, she was making herself a laughingstock since she told Daisy it wouldn't happen.
Duke sucked at her lips gently and ended this fiery kiss. He panted lightly and looked down into her eyes. The burning desire in his eyes melted all her defenses. All she could do was to look at him. His ragged breath made his face redden a little. She felt fondness well up in her chest.
For the first time Belinda was captivated by him. Compared with the cold Duke, this one was more appealing and touched her heart easily. She couldn't help getting close to him.
See? This is what I want to do here." Duke said. A slight curve formed on his lower lip; the usual coldness suddenly melted away and his face was covered with a gentle warm light. In a daze Belinda overlooked the naughty implication in his words. As her hand touched his tight frown, a faint ache suddenly came to Belinda's heart and spread slowly over her body.
"Have you ever loved someone?" Belinda blinked and gazed into Duke's eyes intently, curious about what she would hear.
"If I say no, would you believe it?" A pretty face flashed through Duke's mind, but soon he shook the image away from his mind. Their paths would never cross.
"I don't believe it. Your face tells me there's a story there. You always put on a poker face, trying to push everyone away." Clearly Belinda didn't buy what he said. Something must have happened in his past to cause this cold and intimidating manner.