She almost forgot to breathe. Her mind went completely blank, like it had short–circulled. Her entire body froze as if under a spell
A warm kiss landed on her lips, and in that instant, it felt like an invisible current surged through every nerve in her body.
But Benjamin’s kiss wasn’t the usual cocky, domineering kind one might expect from himh. It was unbelievably gentle–so gentle it didn’t feel
real
In all her twenty–something years, Wendy had never been treated this tenderly by a man. She forgot to respond, even forgot to breathe.
It felt like a dream—so unreal.
Only when she was on the verge of suffocating did she finally shove him away.
For reasons she didn’t understand, tears welled up uncontrollably. She wiped her mouth furiously.
Benjamin watched as she wiped her lips, and his mood instantly sank. Was she disgusted by him?
Her first kiss–gone just like that. Wendy suddenly felt incredibly sorry for hersell Holding back the sadness swelling in her chest, she forced out the words, “Benjamin! Stop this! I’m not your toy! I’m not like you–I can’t afford to play around!”
“I was joking, Pudding,” he tried to explain. That whole toy comment–it wasn’t what she thought.
But that was exactly what she feared–his jokes. She could never tell when he was being serious or just messing around.
“Don’t call me Pudding! I hate it!”
Shouting, she turned and ran off crying.
“Hey-“Benjamin called after her but didn’t chase her this time.
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. Why was he so drawn to this chubby girl?
Maybe it went back to his childhood.
When he was a sickly little boy, he had spent time in the countryside recovering with his mother. Because of his health, he was often bullied.
Back then, there was a chubby girl named Pudding who always stood up for him. She became his only friend, gave him joy, and more than anything–she gave him a sense of safety
That’s it safety**
He felt the same thing from Wendy. That familiar, comforting sense of security
That’s why he nicknamed her Pudding,
That’s why, against all logic, he wanted to kiss her… and why he wanted to keep her within his reach.
What could he do? She was just so adorably squishy.
“Vanderbilt Manor**
Chapter 427
James and Xavi helped Sebastian into the bedroom. Caitlin followed close behind
“I’ll take care of him. You two go get some rest”
James and Xavi exited, leaving Caitlin alone with the thoroughly drunk Sebastian
She stood by the bed for a moment, watching him sleep, then slowly helped him out of his clothes and brought warm water to wash him up Midway through, Sebastian stirred, his eyes cracking open in a daze. Still in the hare of alcohol, he murmured like he was dreaming
“Caitlin… don’t go to him…”
He reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re mine…
His eyes drifted shut again, and a moment later he muttered, “Zeke… you again… gonna beat you up…
Pressed against his solid chest, Caitlin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This guy was seriously drunk–dreaming about fighting Zeke?
Thankfully, he didn’t throw up during the night and seemed to sleep peacefully. Caitlin stayed close, watching over him without leaving his side.
The next morning, Sebastian finally woke up. Though his head still throbbed, he was at least sober.
He sat up and blinked down at his half–dressed state, Alarmed at first, he relaxed when he recognized his own bedroom.
He remembered drinking at No. 8 last night and Nolan helping him upstairs, but everything after that was a blur. He had no clue how he got
back home.
But as the memories of the flight and Zeke’s sudden appearance resurfaced, the irritation returned
Outside, footsteps echoed–Caitlin’s, he could tell. In a flash, Sebastian lay back down and pretended to be asleep.
Caitlin had already made breakfast. The kids were downstairs with James, eating happily. She came up to change clothes and check if
Sebastian was awake.
Seeing him “asleep,” she didn’t wake him. Instead, she went to the closet to change.
Sebastian cracked an eye open and caught a glimpse of her curvy silhouette as she slipped into a form–fitting dress.
That perfectly sculpted figure. That graceful back.
Just one look and he was practically losing his mind.
Was she really giving him “this” kind of eye candy first thing in the morning?
Caitlin turned around and caught his peeking. She raised a brow. “You’re awake?”
“No, I’m not.”
Sebastian rolled over, turning his back to her.
Still grumpy, huh?
“If you’re not awake, how are you talking?”
Chapter 427
Caitlin circled the bed and sat down in front of him.
Now that they were face to face, there was no pretending.
“Okay, come on now. Don’t be mad anymore, alright?” She reached over to gently rub his head, coaxing him like a sulking kid.
“Hmph”
He grunted. “Do you even know why I’m mad?”
“I know,” Caitlin said softly. “You’re upset about what happened with Zeke yesterday. But let me explain.
“Ionly helped Zeke out of human decency. I do feel bad about what he went through, and I’m grateful that he risked his life to save me back at the Shadow Moon Pavilion
“But I’m just repaying a debt. Nothing more. Please believe me.”
Sebastian “did” believe her. That was the problem,
It was because she was so grateful, so loyal, that he was worried. That someone like Zeke would take advantage of that
“I believe you. But what if–what if, to repay him, he asks for your heart? Then what?”
He didn’t doubt “her“-he just didn’t trust “Zeke“.
Caitlin took his hand and smiled. “There’s only one man in this world I’d ever give myself to willingly. Anyone else? They can take everything! own–but my heart and body? No chance”
“And that man is me.”
A wave of joy washed over Sebastian’s face.
“Who else? There’s only one Sebastian Vanderbilt.”
Men, just like women, liked hearing sweet words. Sometimes, they just needed to be reassured.
And Caitlin knew exactly what to say
aw to clear away!
the storm in his heart.
Sebastian stared at her for several long seconds. Then, with one quick move, he rolled over and trapped her in his arms.
Thinking of all the unnecessary jealousy and heartache he’d gone through last night, he regretted not just staying home and waiting for her like a good boy.
Now that the storm had passed, he wanted to start the morning right–with her in his arms.
Just as he leaned in for a kiss-
*Bangl*
The door burst open
“Daddy! Mommy-”
It was the kids.
Hearing their little voices and footsteps, Caitlin panicked and shoved Sebastian away.
19:54 Wed–131200:
Chapter 427
“Argh!” he yelped, hitting the bed with a thud, his face twisting in pain,
“What happened to Daddy? little Patricia asked, peering
goves the bed with wide eyes.
“Nothing! Mommy’s just taking care of him,” Caitlin said with a sheepish smile.
Arthur stepped in and pulled his sister’s hand, in a very serious tone, he said, “Come on, Patricia. Let’s go play. Mommy and Daddy are gonna make a baby.”
“Yay! Mommy, Daddy–I want a little brother and a little sisterl Make them soon!”
With that, the two kids skipped off hand–in–hand, even closing the door politely behind them,
“You heard that, right? The people have spoken,” Sebastian smirked. “We should give the masses what they want.”
Caitlin rolled her eyes and pushed him away. “You still reek of booze. I’m going to run your bath.”
She walked into the bathroom, the sound of running water soon filling the room.
Sebastian followed, leaning against the doorframe, watching her swirl the water with her fair hand by the tub.
The sight of her, graceful and soft in the morning light, stirred something in him again.
It was going to be a very sweet morning.
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