novelraw Chapter 63: Reluctant to Let Go
Chapter 63: Reluctant to Let Go
The aloof and distinguished flower poised beyond reach was now pinned against the door by a petite woman.
Ethan Blackwood’s Adam’s apple bobbed as conflicting thoughts warred within his mind amidst the growing tension of the intimate atmosphere.
How could he not desire Claire Shaw?
But what he sought wasn’t a fleeting night of passion.
Nor was he in it for a nameless encounter.
Ethan Blackwood was quite clear about the distinction between a single feast and every meal being sated.
Just as Claire Shaw had thought, he was a patient hunter, waiting far too long for this game.
The first time he wanted to make the first move, he saw Claire Shaw announce her relationship with Owen Crawford, which left him despondent for quite some time.
Finally getting the chance to get close to her, what he found was a ragged and tattered marionette hurt by someone else.
He loved her, cherished her, and naturally couldn’t bear to hurt her.
He understood perfectly that what he wanted wasn’t just Claire Shaw’s body, but her heart.
The days of revelry were indeed joyful, but each time he watched Claire Shaw’s departure into the night, his loneliness deepened more than when she arrived.
Initially, Ethan thought Claire Shaw was with Owen Crawford out of affection, but now it seemed this little fox guarded her heart closely.
Six years with Owen Crawford couldn’t warm her up, instead leaving her heart locked tight, unwilling to let anyone take a peek.
This was a monumental challenge.
For Claire Shaw, money and power weren’t assets but rather insurmountable obstacles.
He couldn’t push too hard, or he’d end up like Owen Crawford, with nothing to show for it.
Claire Shaw’s only interest was in his body, which ironically was the only advantage he could exploit.
To hook the fish, besides skill, the bait was crucial.
After letting her taste the pleasure, he teased her, like a restless cat scratching her itch, but never truly yielding.
Even if it wasn’t out of love, she’d find herself thinking of him more late at night, allowing him to occupy a corner of her heart.
It’s rather pitiful when you think about it. What in life had Ethan Blackwood ever desired but couldn’t get? Yet, when it came to Claire Shaw, he had to resort to seduction.
But who could blame him? That girl was his greatest love.
Faced with Claire Shaw’s fervent advances, his voice turned low and husky, "Is your period over?"
He’d calculated it; it had only been four days since that day at Silvanest.
Typically, a woman’s period lasts from three to seven days.
Claire Shaw was nibbling his collarbone when the cold realization splashed over her, snapping her back to her senses.
With a "snap," Ethan Blackwood turned on the light. The young lady glared at him with eyes full of resentment, "Buzzkill!"
Claire Shaw almost forgot about it. Usually, her first three days were heavy, and it gradually tapered off, which is why she hadn’t noticed.
Ethan lowly chuckled, "I’m here for shredded potatoes, not to take advantage of you."
"Do you really want to eat?" She thought that in that context, the phrase was akin to a woman inviting a man upstairs for coffee at midnight.
"What else? Unlike you, I can’t be satisfied with a few leaves of greens. Is there anything at home? If not, I’ll go down to buy some."
She’d just moved into the new home and indeed didn’t have much food stocked.
Claire Shaw couldn’t believe that what she’d eagerly anticipated as a "feast" turned into a shopping trip to the supermarket with Ethan Blackwood.
Even Owen Crawford hadn’t done this before, yet Ethan Blackwood seemed right at home, heading straight for the fresh meat section.
Claire Shaw picked and chose, looked at cucumbers, touched tomatoes, and grabbed some mushrooms and lettuce. Then she turned to see Ethan pushing a cart toward her.
The cart was laden with beef, lamb, fish, and shrimp occupying half of it.
"Done? Is there anything else missing at home?" Ethan casually tossed her vegetables into the cart.
"We need some seasonings too."
"This way, follow me."
Ethan was more familiar with the layout of the supermarket than she was, striding ahead with his long legs.
Claire Shaw, meticulous and somewhat traditional, searched among the myriad of brands for the one she usually used.
She found it placed too high on the shelf. Having worn flat shoes out, she had to tiptoe to reach it.
Above her, came the man’s deep, steady voice, "Let me."
Turning around, Claire Shaw bumped into his solid chest. He’d shed his jacket, leaving only a white shirt.
Her lips happened to brush against his chest.
Ethan Blackwood reached up, took a bottle of soy sauce off the shelf, and held it out to her, "Is this it?"
"No, the brand to the side."
Her voice was as thin as a mosquito’s hum, ready to flee.
He’d long noticed her escape route, his left hand placed on the shelf to block her path, confining her firmly in his embrace.
"Is the cooking wine this brand too?"
"Yes."
That faint cedar scent mixed with the man’s warmth wafted over, making Claire Shaw’s cheeks redden.
Ethan Blackwood leaned in, narrowing the space even more to reach the adjacent seasonings.
He undid a couple of buttons, and from this angle, Claire Shaw could easily glimpse the hint of collarbone beneath his shirt.
Lowering his head, his gaze locked with Claire Shaw’s captivating fox-like eyes.
She tugged on his shirt, sweetly and pitifully whimpering, "Ethan Blackwood, I’m hungry..."