Chapter 288
“Don’t p>
The word barely left her lips before Latham claimed her breath, his hands sliding through her tangled hair as he kissed her the way she’d only dreamed about. His fingers traced along her jaw, then down her back, slow and sure.
She felt his palm through the thin fabric of her dress, and then heard the soft, unmistakable sound of her strap giving way.
“Not here,” she whispered, her voice so soft it could’ve been a kitten’s cry. But Latham didn’t stop.
“Baby, do you know what it means to pay back a debt p>
His words tickled her ear, his fingers tangled in her hair, heat trailing with every syllable. “It means I get to pick the place p>
Dorothea’s heart raced. Her lips parted, her brows knit together, and the light in her eyes slowly faded as she gave in.
An hour later, Dorothea blinked, her lashes damp.
Latham pressed a kiss to the corner of her eye, his lips curving in a smile. “Good girl. Let’s go back to our room. I’m not done with you yet p>
Albert was furious when he realized Bonita had been freezing Dorothea out on purpose.
At the family dinner, Albert shot Bonita a cold look. “I thought I told you, aside from being Mrs. Clark, don’t expect anything more from me p>
Bonita’s face tightened, her chin lifting. “I don’t know what you mean p>
Albert’s laugh was quiet and sharp. “Really? You know exactly what you’ve done. Remember your place, Bonita. Don’t make me regret tolerating you p>
Even Bonita lost her cool. “Albert, if you’re so crazy about her, why did you let someone else swoop in and take her? I’m not the one who needs to remember my place. You should remember that our families are tied together now. The Clark family benefits from this too p>
She took a deep breath, collected herself, and walked out to the front hall.
Albert’s eyes narrowed with cold determination.
Her words got under his skin.
He’d been digging for dirt on Latham for a while now, but the guy was careful, always covering his tracks.
Still, Albert refused to believe
Latham was flawless. He was sure
Latham had been lurking on the
sidelines, watching him and
Dorothea for a long time.
As soon as he found proof, he’d march right up to Dorothea and tell her everything.
Dorothea woke up sore, another
morning tangled in bittersweet net
memories Latham was already gone, probably at the office.
She still couldn’t get over the way he’d acted last night. It was like he’d become someone else.
Heading downstairs, Dorothea caught Grandma Pauline’s teasing look and felt her cheeks heat up.
“Grandma, why are you looking at me like that p>
Pauline just smiled, clearly amused. She’d seen their little spat unfold over the past few days.
“It’s nothing. Did you two make up p>
Dorothea nodded. “Yeah, we’re good now p>
Pauline’s tone was gentle. “I’m glad
to hear it. It was nothing serious
anyway. Latham’s been tin
around you barely daring to breathe
“Grandma, it wasn’t that bad,” Dorothea said, embarrassed.
Pauline had been watching them for a while, and she truly felt at peace about Latham now.
“Dorothea, are you two thinking about having a baby p>
Pauline could tell Dorothea was the hesitant one. There was no way Latham wasn’t hoping for a child.
Dorothea paused, then smiled. “Maybe after the new year, Grandma p>
Pauline nodded. “That’s fair. You two haven’t been married long. Enjoy each other’s company a little longer p>
Dorothea thought to herself, if it was with Latham, maybe having a baby wouldn’t be so bad.