Chapter 521

Noelle wasn't naive—she could easily see through Christian's little tricks.

Christian felt guilty, truly guilty, but the idea of Quentin eating her homemade pasta didn't sit right with him. That would have been too much of a reward.

"Then how about you slap me?" he suggested, grabbing her hand and trying to guide it towards his face.

Noelle pulled her hand back, feeling exasperated. "Just go home, Mr. Blackwood! Don't you have work in the morning?"

It was nearly midnight.

Christian replied, "I do, but work isn't as important as chasing my girlfriend!"

He stepped closer, pulling her toward him by the arm, his glassy eyes locking onto hers. "Tell me when you're leaving. I won't go until you do."

At that moment, Christian's usual laid-back demeanor gave way to something sharper, a subtle but undeniable aura of authority and determination.

Noelle's breath hitched slightly. "I'll leave after I get him something to eat."

Christian released her.

Back outside the restaurant, Christia