CEO Forever Love Novel

Chapter 20 The first thing I wanted after the long journey was a shower . The penthouse bathroom radiated wealth in its quietest form , white marble veined with silver , cool against my bare feet , chrome fixtures polished to a shine , mirrors that threw back every detail with merciless clarity . A rainfall shower spilled over me in a cascade so soft it felt indecent , as though the water itself had been taught to obey . When I stepped out , skin warm and stamp , dresses down in shorts and a tank top .

I felt stripped of travel fatigue , though still too aware of how all I was inside Nathan's world . He looked up the moment I entered , closing his laptop . His eyes dragged once over me , lingering on the bare strip of skin at my waist before returning to my face . A rush of heat climbed my neck , and I blurted the first thing that came to mind , anything to cover the silence stretching between ans " This place must cost a fortune , " I said , sweeping a hand toward the room . " Everything screams luxury . " His grin was brief , almost amused . " I'm glad you see the value .

" He tipped his head slightly , eyes on me like he was reminding me of a fact I should never forget . " I don't rent what's already mine . This hotel is mine . " The words sank in . I'd known he was rich , but the casual way he said it made me wonder just how deep his wealth ran . The idea left me reeling " Rest for a while , " he said , breaking my thoughts . " We'll step out later . " It was only then I noticed the bed . One bed . My heart stuttered , and questions I didn't want to voice tangled in my head . Nathan read me instantly , his mouth curving faintly .

" Don't tie yourself in knots . Nothing happens until you say it does . " Embarrassed , I climbed onto the bed and yanked the duvet over my head . His laugh cut through the room , quiet but rich , like he was amused at how easy it was to unnerve me . When I woke again , the sky outside had gone dark . Nathan sat across the room , laptop open , the glow painting his face . He looked up the moment I stirred . " You needed that , " he said . I stretched , rubbing the sleep from my eyes . " I guess I did . " He closed the laptop . " Do you want dinner here , or would you rather step out ?

" " Out , " I said , surprising myself with the decisiveness . " I want to see this place . " Only then did I glance down at myself , shorts and a thin top . Perfect for collapsing into a bed , but nowhere near fit for stepping out of a hotel like this . " Give me five minutes , " I muttered , getting off the bed before he could say anything else . I rummaged through my suitcase , pulling on a simple sundress . Nothing fancy , but decent enough to keep me from sticking out like a stray . When I returned , Nathan was waiting by the door .

His eyes swept over me in a single , measured glance before he gave a small nod of approval . Then , with a hand at the small of my back , he guided me out of the room . 18:29 Fri , Nov 7 M Chapter 20 35 vouchers The hotel lounge was every bit as breathtaking as the rest of the building - crystal chandeliers , polished wood , the hum of soft conversation . But the moment Nathan entered , the atmosphere shifted . Staff stood straighter , eyes followed him . attention sharpened . There was no mistaking it , the quiet certainty that the one in charge had arrived .

I kept my gaze down , too aware of the difference between us , until the prickle of being watched made me lift my head . I searched , and found him . A man , seated a few tables away , strikingly handsome , the kind of face that could command a room without needing words . His eyes were already on me , steady , bold . The stare held , longer than was polite , until the air between us tightened with it . Only then did his mouth tilt , and he winked . Heat surged to my cheeks , and I tore my eyes away . Nathan noticed . His jaw flexed , the word came out low enough for only me to hear .

" He'll learn where not to look . " I bit my lip , refusing to look at the stranger again , but I could still feel the burn of his stare against my skin . When dinner was over , I turned to Nathan . " Thank you . For this ." He leaned back slightly , eyes locked on mine . " You know how I like to be thanked ," My pulse skipped . He couldn't mean here , in front of everyone . Could he ? " I'm waiting , " he added . I didn't know where the courage came from , maybe the Santorini air , maybe him , but I leaned across the table and kissed him .

His reply was immediate , not rushed but exact , the way he handled everything else in his life . When I pulled away , breathless , he didn't look at me first . His gaze cut across the room , straight to the stranger . Something unspoken passed between them , warning , challenge , ownership . The man rolled his eyes and turned away . Back in the penthouse , Nathan led me into the balcony . His hand settled at my waist , with a quiet possession that made my skin tighten beneath his touch . The night air was warm , carrying the faint salt of the sea .

The city glittered below , the sea a dark sheet beyond . Above us , stars scattered across the sky like spilled diamonds . The world was beautiful . But it wasn't the view that stole my breath . It was the press of Nathan's chest against my back , the faint stutter of his heartbeat betraying what he didn't say . own body answered , heat coiling low , the sharp ache of a truth I could no longer run from . For the first time in my life , I wasn't just curious about touch . I ached for it . Not from any man , from him .

The way my I turned , letting the night's cool air fall away when our eyes met . The words rose like they'd been waiting all along , fragile and fierce in the same breath . Austen