Rationality and desire pulled at her precarious resolve like two equally matched forces. She stubbornly shut her eyes, refusing to be enchanted by the allure of his brown gaze.
"Yes, it's Roman." She felt the grip around her waist tighten as if it might snap her in half. No matter—so long as she could guard her heart.
Opening her eyes wide, she deliberately added fuel to his fury. "In fact, we've already grown very close."
Nathan's brown eyes flickered with an angry light, like a child whose toy had been taken away. Losing all sense of decorum, he spat, "Since you're no longer a virgin, what's the harm in being my mistress?"
Sophie couldn't believe the words that had just left his mouth. Without a second thought, her hand shot up—
He could have stopped her, but he didn't. The raw pain in her eyes pierced his heart too deeply.
Slap!
Ignoring the stinging heat on his cheek, Nathan remained still, looking at her impassively. If it eased her pain, he didn't mind.
As always, he had the knack for both infuriating and touching people. She ought to be angry—his words were beyond offensive. But his willingness to take the slap without protest instantly extinguished her anger.
Her hand trembled as she traced the red mark on his face. "I'm sorry." Someone as noble as him—when had anyone ever dared treat him this way?
"Be my mistress," he insisted, as if it were the only thing that mattered.
Sophie gazed steadily into his intense eyes, seeing genuine care in them.
How long would his indulgence last? Would it cost her heart? She knew she was falling for him again—or perhaps she had never stopped, not three years ago, not even now.
She told herself: This will be the last time. A chance to fulfill the dream left incomplete three years ago. At least now, they both felt the same way, unlike before when it was a one-sided love. Even if... even if it didn't last long, the memories would sustain her for a lifetime. Refusing him wouldn't restore her innocence. So, she might as well surrender completely.
Perhaps only pain at its deepest would lead to rebirth.
He saw the struggle in her eyes. Truthfully, he didn't like this sense of losing control over the situation.
"I agree. I don't want your money. While you're in TWAN, I'll do my best to cooperate with you. If you wish to end things early, just let me know first." Her tone was calm, as though negotiating a business deal.
He didn't like her professional demeanor. Harshly, he kissed her, stripping away her defenses and feigned composure.
When a faint blush spread across her cheeks, he finally released her. "Good. I like how captivated you are by me."
Sophie's heart ached, but she didn't want to think anymore. Right now, she just wanted to let herself love him fully, one last time. She stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him willingly.
"You know where my room is, don't you? Be there tonight."
He was a king, reigning over everything. What he desired, he obtained. And she was willingly offering him her precious heart.
Sophie walked out of the elevator with heavy steps. From the moment she stepped into the private lift leading to the penthouse suite, she knew—there was no turning back.
Three years had changed her appearance, but not her heart.
As she opened the door, strong arms instantly pulled her into an embrace, claiming her delicate lips in a domineering kiss.
When the longing kiss ended, Nathan frowned. "You made me wait too long. I was about to come downstairs and drag you up myself." His tie was undone, and the sleeves of his crisp white shirt were rolled up carelessly. He looked nothing like a French baron—more like a Viking pirate.
Sophie, her rationality unshaken by his kiss, said firmly, "I can come up after work, but you must respect my job." Though her PR manager position wasn't particularly important, she refused to let him turn her into a kept woman.
Yes, even though she had agreed to move in with him, she stubbornly clung to a shred of dignity—knowing she would lose her heart in the end.
It was no surprise that Roman disapproved of her decision. But she had begged him to keep it a secret, saying, Let me finish this dream.
One day, Nathan would leave, and when he did, the dream would be over. Then, she would willingly return to her old life and carry on.
Nathan frowned. The Sophie of today was independent and strong, utterly unlike his past women. But no matter—that only added to the thrill of taming her.
His frown gradually softened at the thought. "Fine. Have it your way," he said, punctuating his words with a punishing kiss.
The kiss was a battle of wills. He wanted her submission; she hesitated over how much to surrender, fearing she wouldn't have the courage to face him once he left.
His lips were wild and possessive, yet his hands were gentle as they unbuttoned her uniform, stripping away her armor. Lifting her up, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist. The sight of her pink bra peeking out from her open shirt blended innocence with allure.
Though it was the first time he had seen her bare body, his hands moved as if they already knew every curve.
It only proved how perfectly matched they were.
Nathan laid Sophie down on the bed. Her hazy eyes and longing expression were irresistible. Slowly, he unbuttoned his shirt, pleased by the effect his body had on her.
Sophie's gaze lingered on his chest—the same chest she had once explored three years ago. That night, she had felt his heart beating beneath her palm, lying to herself that it beat only for her.
She had thought that night was all there would ever be. She hadn't expected to see him like this again.
Desire swirled between them, with no boundaries to hold it back.
He had never acted this way before. Just as he had never allowed a woman to push him to the brink of losing control.
Gently, he leaned over her, his broad frame covering hers, eclipsing everything else until her world was filled with only him.
And indeed, all she could see was him.
He moved like a magician, his touch igniting flames of passion wherever it landed, leaving her body aching with emptiness.
The sensation was unfamiliar. That night, he had been drunk, leaving her no time to wait. Now, he was like a lion toying with prey too weak to escape. She didn't know how to respond.
A low sob escaped her lips—shedding tears for feelings she couldn't describe.
"Shh, don't cry," Nathan murmured, softly kissing away her tears.
Nathan's heart stirred. He couldn't understand why it all felt so familiar—almost as if they had done this before. But that was impossible, wasn't it?
Sophie's warmth enveloped him, and for the first time, he felt an unmatched connection.
He had never felt this way before, had he? Suddenly, a memory surfaced—a night long ago with Victoria. That night had given him a similar sense of connection, but it was the only time. Despite their frequent encounters over the years, Victoria had always maintained her boundaries, never allowing him to cross the line again.
If it weren't for the undeniable fact that she had woken up in his bed three years ago, Nathan would have found it impossible to believe that they had shared an intimate night together. Her reluctance toward his kisses since then had been almost exaggerated, as though she couldn't get far enough away.
He lay beside her now, breaking the silence. "I'm sorry. I didn't have time to take any precautions." Losing control like this had never happened to him before.
Her body stiffened at his words, and she lowered her gaze, unwilling to let him see her discomfort. She brushed it off with a light tone, "It's fine. I have contraceptives."
He sensed her tension, her effort to hide her emotions. "I really am sorry..." Was it a cultural difference? His previous partners had always accepted his reluctance to have children with ease. Why did she seem to take it as an insult?
"Stop," Sophie said abruptly, covering his mouth with her hand. "That's just the way the game is played. I understand."
After speaking, she turned her back to him, closing her eyes as though preparing for sleep. She was determined to preserve what little dignity she had left.
Nathan sighed deeply. Too many things had slipped out of his control today. It seemed as though ever since he had laid eyes on her again, he had been powerless over his own emotions.
She was right; these were the rules of the game. But if that was true, why did his heart ache so much?
TWAN wasn't what he had expected.
From the airplane window, the city unfolded below him—modern skyscrapers interspersed with gray-and-white rooftop apartments, creating a peculiar urban aesthetic. Sparse patches of greenery dotted the landscape, reminding him of the enigmatic little maid who had left him in turmoil.
Yes, enigmatic. He had never imagined he would use that word to describe her. In truth, her emotions were so apparent that they were almost transparent, easy for anyone to read.
And yet, he couldn't discern any intention of leaving in her actions.
Nathan's brow furrowed slightly. The thought of her leaving without a word made him uneasy.
Not because of some sentimental attachment—he dismissed that idea outright—but because her actions were incomprehensible to him. Her departure felt like she had stolen a fragment of his memory along with her.
That was why he couldn't forget her.
For someone who had always regarded women as mere passing companions, spending time obsessing over one woman was unprecedented.
Still, the woman who had woken up in his bed three years ago was Victoria. Why, then, did his thoughts keep returning to the little maid?
Nathan couldn't untangle his own feelings. Perhaps she held the key to solving the puzzle.
Why had Victoria seemed like a completely different person that night?
From the moment he met her, Victoria had always been aloof and distant, hard to approach. Yet on that particular night, she had been as fiery as a temptress. And then, as if the night had never happened, she had returned to her cold, unyielding self.
Victoria's cheeks were cool to the touch, like lifeless marble, leaving him with no desire to even graze her lips. Where had her fiery passion from that night gone?
As a gentleman, he wouldn't outright ask a lady such a question, but the mystery gnawed at him. And the little maid was the only one who could help him uncover the truth—she might know how Victoria had ended up in his bed.
Was that the only reason he came to TWAN? It seemed impulsive, almost ridiculous. After all, TWAN had over twenty million people. Finding one person among them was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
But he wasn't one to give up easily. If he couldn't find her in France, then why not try her homeland and see where fate led him?
Of course, he would never again resort to hiring a private investigator to locate her. God knew how many variations of the name "Sophie" there were, and he didn't even know the correct spelling of her name!
Would he ever meet the elusive little maid again?
Zola Carr, who had accompanied him on this business trip, glanced at his preoccupied employer.
"One euro for your thoughts," he quipped. They were not just business partners but good friends. Still, Nathan's aristocratic tendencies made him averse to sharing personal matters.
Nathan cast him a sidelong glance. "I miss the franc."
"Fine!" Zola retrieved a one-franc coin from his pocket. "Your thoughts, then."
Nathan pocketed the coin without hesitation. "I'm thinking… the airport is just ahead."