Chapter 14: I told you to stop

“Okay, I just came to see if you were okay. My little girl has grown up, so I no longer have to worry about you."

Finally, Vincent stood up. He gently stroked Katherine's head, his voice as soft as honey.

Vincent Blythe, without a doubt, embodied the essence of a perfect man in the hearts of women. Unlike Louis, who exuded a cold and distant demeanor, Vincent was a radiant source of warmth, akin to the sun itself. Wherever he went, he effortlessly endeared himself to countless people, for his demeanor was one of utmost friendliness and approachability. At 28 years old, Vincent held a prominent position in the lower house, a testament to his exceptional capabilities. Hailing from an illustrious family background, his future stretched before him, brimming with boundless opportunities. It was no wonder that he became the focus of attention for numerous ladies from wealthy families.

"My little girl?" Louis managed to keep his face a picture of icy indifference, yet, within his heart, a large question mark couldn't help but bubble up to the surface.

Katherine, a tad embarrassed, gently pushed his hand away and stood up to bid him farewell. "I'm fine, I'll be alright by tomorrow. If you have things to attend to, you should head back to M city."

As Vincent prepared to depart, he cast a deliberate glance back towards the sitting room where Louis was still perched on the sofa, unmoving. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards in a teasing smirk, "Louis, do you continue to annoy your staff?"

"I pay the salary, how I exploit them is my business." Louis retorted casually.

Vincent responded with a laugh before bending slightly to brush his cheek against Katherine's in a warm French farewell. As he did so, his eyes flicked back to the man ensconced within the room. Meeting Louis' cold gaze, he slowly straightened up and smiled at Katherine.

"You should get some rest."

"Goodbye." Katherine, unaware of the exchange with bombastic eyes, simply offered him a radiant smile and bade him farewell. Vincent had spent many years studying in France, so his manner of bidding goodbye was familiar to her, entirely devoid of any suspicion.

However, she didn't know her arrogant boss was about to explode.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Katherine noticed that Louis didn't so much as glance her way. Instead, he rose to clear the table and, rolling up his sleeves, he proceeded to wash the dishes. Not wanting to disturb him, she settled down on the plush sofa, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes fixated on the expansive canvas of his broad back. Each time she witnessed this sight, she was swathed in a cocoon of security, her heart filling with a torrent of inexplicable emotions.

Her cherry-red lips parted slightly as her mind swirled with a whirlpool of thoughts about the future, rendering her into a dazed reverie.

"Have you seen enough?" Before long, Louis had finished tidying up. Leaning nonchalantly against the dining table, his arms crossed over his chest, he directed the question at her. His voice was as detached and cold as ever.

"Boss, I knew I didn't put my faith in the wrong person. I didn't expect that joining the company would result in such a big reward," Katherine voiced, a tone of earnest sincerity coloring her words.

 

"Shouldn't you always strive to give your best for the company?" Louis retorted, an undercurrent of challenge in his tone.

 

A hint of confusion marked Katherine's features as she tilted her head slightly, "Am I not performing well enough? Though I don't frequently work overtime, I usually dedicate my entire weekends to managing your work, isn't that right?"

 

Closing the distance between them, Louis countered, "Isn't part of a secretary's job also ensuring the boss's mood is conducive to work?"

 

His imposing figure loomed before her, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But I haven't seen you devote yourself to that aspect. Your boss hasn't been quite content since you took up this role." He continued, a playful twinkle in his eyes suggesting an underlying jest.

Katherine's lips parted slightly as she geared up to respond, but upon meeting the handsome countenance in front of her, her words were momentarily lost in the depths of her mind.

Not granting her another moment to gather her thoughts, Louis continued, "What's the matter? Your boss pays you a visit to check on you and you can't even utter a word of thanks? You didn't offer me a drink nor have you asked me to leave. Secretary Katherine, what exactly are you intending?"

He paused briefly before continuing, a hint of mischief lacing his words, "Or, perhaps, are you inviting me to stay the night?"

Their proximity was so close it was almost suffocating. His whispered insinuations stirred Katherine from her daze. Startled, she instinctively leaned back, but this new position only served to make her more accessible to the assertive man before her.

“Boss, it's my blessing that you visit me like that. I'm sick now, you can go home first. I'll invite you to dinner in a few days as a thank you, okay?"

Katherine scrutinized the face inching ever closer to hers. His eyes were a deep, mesmerizing black that seemed to radiate an irresistible allure, capturing the soul of anyone who dared to gaze into them. His confidence and determination had always been part of his charm, but now, at such close quarters, she found herself utterly disarmed.

"A dinner? Is that all?"

Louis purposefully dipped lower, his cheek brushing against hers. As Katherine made to push him away, he seized her hand and pressed it against his chest. As his hands traced the contours of her face, a shiver ran down her spine, and she found her breath hitching.

"I'm unwell. You should maintain some distance, lest you catch my ailment."

No sooner had she voiced her protest than her petite chin was captured by his firm grip, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Is that so?" He challenged, "Why didn't I see you offering Vincent Blythe the same advice?"

"Uhmmm…" Katherine's words were instantly muffled by Louis's lips descending on hers, her hands held captive in his firm grip. The fervent kiss seemed to sap her of all her strength, rendering any resistance futile.

His domineering embrace left her no escape routes. Her lithe form was firmly pinned to the plush sofa, encased in the fortress of Louis's sturdy arms.

With effortless ease, he cradled her in his lap, showering her with passionate kisses that set her senses ablaze.

In a feeble attempt at resistance, she punched him lightly on the chest. Her entire body strained to break free from his vice-like grip, but her efforts proved futile. On the contrary, her attempts at defiance only seemed to fuel his ardor, making his kisses more intense and his hold on her even tighter. Louis nipped at her lower lip with his teeth, drawing a small frown from her. Seizing this opportunity, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the warm confines of her mouth.

The kiss turned increasingly fervent, as though Louis sought to consume her in his ardor. He finally released her lips, his tongue tracing a path down her neck and circling her exquisite collarbone. He bestowed deep kisses upon her skin, marking her alabaster neck with the crimson hues of his passion.

Katherine was granted a fraction of freedom, but before she could recover from her stunned state, she found her voice, the words coming out in a sweet plea, "Louis, you must let me go..."

However, Louis seemed deaf to her protestations. A rogue arm stealthily snaked its way under her lightweight pajamas, his fingers gliding over her skin and lightly brushing against her supple breasts.

A sensation akin to being struck by lightning shot through Katherine's body. It seemed this direct physical contact had jolted her awake. Mustering all her strength to put some distance between them, she caught Louis off guard and managed to shove him back.

Slap!

A loud slap rang out, breaking the tense silence and surprising Katherine herself.

A bitterness welled up within Katherine, a taste so strong it was almost palpable. There were countless ways she could have used to gain his favor, to exploit him for her ends, but she would never resort to this. It was too much, too degrading, too humiliating for her!

"I... I told you to stop," she said, her voice a shaky whisper, laced with a mix of surprise, anger, and embarrassment.

Louis lightly traced his lips with his fingers, the residual sweetness of her lingering in his senses. His icy expression remained impassive, a stark contrast to the provocative words that flowed from his mouth, "Why don't we see who between your dear Vincent Blythe and myself is most likely to catch your fever first?"

 

His eyes held a challenging glint, an unspoken dare that added another layer of intensity to his words. It was as if he was pushing boundaries, testing waters, and reveling in the flushed confusion that spread across Katherine's face. Despite the cold exterior, his actions bore the spark of a heated contest, one that he seemed all too willing to engage in.