Chapter 10: Physical Attraction

“How could I?” Huo Congli took her hand, afraid she’d be so angry she would refuse to speak to him. “You’re my wife. You would never hurt our child.”

His palm was large, warm, and strong. He lowered his eyes and kissed her hand twice, firmly taking her side. “Will you come to the old residence with me this weekend? You can watch me make things clear to my mother. She overstepped this time.”

Jingwan knew his mother had acted for the child’s sake, but being watched felt awful. She withdrew her hand. “I’m not going. Your mother doesn’t like me. Why should I go there and put up with her?”

Congli’s mother, Lu Daiqing, was a celebrated beauty in the capital. Born into a wealthy family, accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she was every inch a refined heiress.

She had her reasons for disliking Jingwan. The Huo family thought poorly of her; only Congli treasured her.

Jingwan leafed through her magazine, soon grew bored, and tossed it aside.

“As long as I love you, she won’t dare make things difficult for you.” Congli picked up the magazine and put it away. Patient as always, he continued trying to coax her. “I had Assistant Li bring over the latest handbags and the jeweled rings you like. Want to see them?”

Watching him humble himself to soothe her, Jingwan felt most of her anger melt away.

She tugged his tie, drawing him close enough for her scent to surround him. “Huo Congli, have you ever thought that I’m more than half the reason you and your mother don’t get along?”

Lu Daiqing had disliked her daughter-in-law from the moment Jingwan entered the family. But Congli had chosen her and insisted on marrying her, and with a Huo child on the way, his mother could say little more. Her outward courtesy toward Jingwan was for his sake alone.

* * *

Congli couldn’t take his eyes off Jingwan. They were so close he could see his reflection in her beautiful eyes. “Wanwan, you did nothing wrong. They made up their minds the moment they saw you. What others think doesn’t matter.”

Her lashes lowered. “…They weren’t wrong. I’m shallow, greedy, and lustful. To get what I wanted, I schemed my way into your bed and had your child, leaving you no choice but to marry me.”

“I was willing.” He touched her wrist, his throat working. “That night, I let myself fall for it. I wanted you.”

“What?” Her grip loosened. “What are you talking about?”

The corners of his eyes reddened. “No one could force me to marry a woman I didn’t want, much less have a child with her.”

It was the first time since their marriage that he had spoken seriously about that night. He had wanted to explain before, but Jingwan hadn’t cared or wanted to listen, and she hadn’t believed he truly loved her.

“I was the despicable one. I wanted to use a child to keep you by my side.

“I fell first. I was the one who became addicted first.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, then rested his forehead against hers, willingly surrendering to the feeling. “I fell in love with you, Wanwan.”

Her breath caught. Her heart struck hard against her chest, a strange feeling she had never known before.

“I haven’t treated you well since we married, and you fell in love with me?” She answered herself. “Liar.”

He was too good with sweet words. Her previous life had taught her not to take such words for truth.

She leaned back, her foot still on his knee, and swung it gently: a signal for him to finish painting her nails.

She had questioned his love again. Congli pressed his lips together, afraid further words would annoy her. He removed his tie, steadied his breathing, and painted the remaining nails with his collar half open.

He had waited years for her. He wasn’t afraid to wait longer. As long as he could keep her, he would gladly use either money or his body.

Jingwan yawned, tears gathering in her eyes. Watching him indulge her without limit, she had a sudden thought. “Are you physically attracted to me?”

He looked up lazily. “Yes.”

“That explains it. You said all those things because we’re so compatible in bed. You can’t give up the feeling, so you mistake it for love.”

With Congli’s position, what sort of woman couldn’t he have? How could he truly love her? Even Jingwan thought the distance between them too great.

Since her rebirth, she had become more clearheaded. Their marriage wouldn’t last; she might as well take it one day at a time.

Congli carefully finished the last few toes, then asked, “Are you physically attracted to me?”

Excitement and caution mingled in his voice, his breathing unsteady.

“Yes,” she answered honestly.

His back tightened, all his former ease disappearing. A powerful man normally unruffled by anything, he now felt his heart race at a single word from her.

“Wanwan, will you say it again?”

He tried to steady his breath, unwilling to appear too eager, but his tightening fingers and quickened speech betrayed him.

She thought nothing of it. “Huo Congli, I’m physically attracted to you.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept pulling him into bed day after day as though addicted.

His throat worked. Unable to restrain himself, he kissed her, testing her response again and again. The slightest encouragement from her made the kiss urgent and fierce.

“Mm…”

She braced her hands against his chest, breathlessly protesting. Finally, annoyed, she bit the corner of his lip hard enough to draw blood. “Bastard.”

Congli wiped it away with his thumb, slid an arm beneath her knees, and lifted her from the hanging chair. “Sweetheart, let me carry you back to our room to see whether you like your gifts.”

She looped her arms around his neck and noticed his broken lip. She touched it lightly twice. For the sake of the gifts, she showed a little concern. “Does it hurt?”

Hoping for more sympathy, he said, “Yes.”

She huffed. “Then put up with it. That’s what you get for kissing me so roughly.”

He kissed her forehead. “All right.”

The garden lights came on while the pink-purple sunset still lingered, casting their shadows across the stone path.

On impulse, Jingwan wanted a photo. She poked his chest. “Huo Congli, where’s your phone?”

“In my trouser pocket. Get it yourself.”