Fake Mate Beta Rises to Alpha Heiress novel

Chapter 87 Many More in the Years Ahead Chapter 87 Many More in the Years Ahead Leonardo's POV: With a gentle tug on her wrist, she lost her balance and plopped down on my lap. There Natalie was, soft and fragrant in my embrace. She instinctively wrapped her arms around my neck, her clear eyes clouding with a touch of panic and bewilderment, just like a startled deer in the woods. Fixated on the rapidly reddening tips of her ears, I leaned in unconsciously, on the verge of saying something. But Natalie turned her head aside, and my lips accidentally brushed against her delicate cheek.

"Didn't dodge well?" My voice came out a bit husky. I tightened my fingers on her slender waist, holding back the urge to get even closer. Natalie's eyes widened, and her thick lashes fluttered rapidly. She seemed to be still in a daze from that unexpected contact. "Mr..." I relaxed my hold a bit, yet my palm still cradled her flushed face. Gazing deeply into her eyes, I said, "You're incredibly charming today." Natalie's POV: "I'm... I'm kinda hungry," I blurted out, my mind a complete blank. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to break free from my chest.

I made up that excuse in a flurry and scurried back to my seat across from him. When I reached for the knife and fork, my fingers were so uncooperative that I knocked the utensils to the floor. The sharp clinking sound only added to my embarrassment. Just as I was about to bend down to pick them up, a hand landed on mine. "Let the staff take care of it," said Leonardo's still- slightly-husky voice. He swapped his utensils with mine and poured me a glass of red wine. To mask my overwhelming nervousness and shyness, I grabbed the glass and downed the wine in one swift gulp.

"Natalie..." Leonardo tried to stop me from drinking so fast, but it was too late. The alcohol quickly brought a warm, tipsy glow to my cheeks. Aaron showed up with new utensils just in time. I cut a small piece of cake and stuffed it into my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Leonardo still staring at me intently, and my heart, which had just started to calm down, went into a frenzy again. 1/3 19:14 Mon, Dec 8 Chapter 87 Many More in the Years Ahead 31 +20 Free Coins Was I making a total fool of myself? I was acting like a newbie with no experience of intimate contact.

We were supposed to be an engaged couple, and this kind of thing should be normal. But the fluttery feeling he stirred up in me was so unfamiliar and intense that it easily shattered my composure. "Here you are." Suddenly, a black-and-gold card was thrust in front of me. I recognized it immediately. It was the supplementary card of a top-notch black card with no spending limit, a symbol of the trust and resource-sharing that came with being part of his family. Even in the most prestigious werewolf packs, it signified a high level of recognition and commitment. "Mr.

Sanchez, I'm not short of money, and this is way too precious. I can't take it." I instinctively refused. The implications and responsibilities behind this "gift" were just too much to bear. "It's a Valentine's Day present I prepared for you," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. His intense gaze bore into me. "Unless you don't fancy it." Under his intense stare and with the alcohol coursing through my veins, my face and body felt even hotter. "I... I like it," I murmured softly. Suddenly, Aaron strolled over, wearing a broad smile. "Happy Valentine's Day, Ms. Anderson and Mr.

Sanchez!" Puzzled, I glanced at Leonardo. He dropped his gaze and subtly nodded at my phone. As soon as I powered on the screen, I froze. The date read the day before, and the time had gone back to around 11:30! It hit me: the time difference! Leonardo hadn't just whisked me away on a flight for Valentine's Day. He'd masterfully used the time difference to fly us to a place where the festival still lingered. We hadn't missed it after all! "Mr. Sanchez...." I gasped, covering my mouth, my eyes welling up. It was a first; no one had ever gone this far for a spur-of-the-moment invite from me.

From 30,000 feet up, the city lights below sparkled like the Milky Way. In that instant, I felt my battered heart, bruised by lies and manipulation, being softly healed by a tender warmth. "This is our first Valentine's together. I couldn't bear to miss it. Here's to many more in the years ahead," Leonardo murmured behind me, his voice deep and soothing. Catching his profile in the window, I lost the battle with my tears. I quickly swiped them away, not wanting him to notice. 2/3 19:14 Mon, Dec 8 & 31 Chapter 87 Many More in the Years Ahead "Thanks, Mr. Sanchez," I whispered. "What's wrong?

Did I say something wrong?" His voice quivered with worry. "Nah, it's okay," I mumbled, shaking my head, too shy to turn. +20 Free Coins That only made him more antsy. Leonardo got up and plopped down beside me, his large frame shadowing me. He reached out, tentative, to offer comfort, "Sorry if I..." "You did nothing wrong. I'm just over the moon. No one's ever put so much heart into a holiday for me. I'm just... floored," I said, turning to face him, my eyes wet, cheeks pink with joy. 19:14 Mon, Dec 8 admin