chapter221

Suzanne had expected to find something incriminating on Nathan’s phone—some shred of evidence of a lingering connection to his past. Instead, the gallery was filled with nothing but high-resolution schematics of his latest weapon designs.

When she checked his contacts, she saw that Sally had been blocked for over a month. He hadn't even kept her nickname; she was saved formally by her surname. Suzanne sighed, a mix of frustration and relief washing over her. But as she scrolled further, she froze. Her own contact wasn't saved as "Suzanne" or "Wife." It was saved simply as Honey.

Surprise rippled through her. She cradled the phone against her chest, her heart racing with a sudden, sharp delight. She carefully replaced the device on the nightstand, unaware that her movements had already stirred Nathan from his light sleep.

Nathan caught the faint, familiar scent of her perfume and forced himself to keep his eyes closed. He feigned sleep until she settled back into the pillows. Only then did he steal a glance at her in the moonlight. She was right there beside him, yet the emotional distance of the past few months made her feel miles away. Noting the slight chill in the room, he adjusted the temperature and pulled the shared blanket higher over her shoulders.

As the room cooled, Suzanne stirred in her sleep, instinctively seeking out the nearest source of warmth. She snuggled closer until her small frame was nestled against his side. Nathan reached out, his hand gently sweeping a stray lock of hair from her face before planting a light, lingering kiss on her forehead. The coldness that usually inhabited his heart seemed to melt away in the quiet of the night.

However, the peaceful moment took a turn. In her deep sleep, Suzanne’s hand wandered, eventually slipping beneath the hem of his shirt. Her palm rested flat against his chest, her fingers tracing the steady rhythm of his heart. Nathan stiffened, his breath catching. The innocent touch was more of a test of his willpower than any battlefield challenge he had ever faced. He took a deep breath, caught in a whirlwind of inner turmoil, yet he couldn't bring himself to move her away.

The next morning, Suzanne woke with a start, the fragments of an embarrassing dream clinging to her mind. As her senses returned, shock took over. She realized she was tangled in Nathan’s embrace, her body pressed firmly against his, with her hand still resting over his heart.

She was horrified. She looked up cautiously, relieved to find his eyes closed and his breathing even. She fervently prayed he hadn't realized her unconscious "advances."

With her heart thudding in her ears, she began to move, inching her hand down his chest with agonizing slowness. She held her breath, trying to slip her hand away entirely, but as her fingers reached his abdomen, Nathan’s hand suddenly shot out. He caught her wrist in a firm grip and, instead of letting her go, he pressed her palm flat against him.

His eyes opened, a slow, knowing spark of amusement lighting his gaze as he looked at her. "Going somewhere?"