The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1845

She had steeled herself, trying to give her past its due, to bring some semblance of balance to her heart.

But now, with Morrison like this, she couldn't tell if his actions were simply erasing his past misdeeds, or if her heart was too soft—ready to forgive him unconditionally, just because it was Morrison.

Yes. She couldn't bear it.

This was her life now. Whatever Morrison did to her in the future was her own doing, because she loved him.

From the start, she was a complete and utter loser.

Her gaze lingered on the half-eaten eggs, the remnants of oatmeal, and sandwiches.d2

How much had he tried to taste? Was she truly "getting back" at him? Why did it feel like she was punishing herself?

She washed the dishes, dried them and put them away, then grabbed her coat from the dining room chair and slipped it on.

Morrison, buttoning up his own jacket, hurried down the stairs.

"Stay inside for a bit. I'll go start the car and get the heater running. When you hear the horn, come out."

Rose said nothing, and Morrison didn't linger. He headed for the front door.

Watching his retreating figure, Rose felt an impulse to chase after him, to embrace him and compromise. She wanted to tell him she didn't care anymore, about anything. She wanted to see his wounds and ask him to never force himself to do such things again.

The impulse grew, snowballing until she actually ran after him. As Morrison was opening the door, he was suddenly gripped from behind in a tight hug. He paused, a chill breeze slipping in as he quickly shut the door and turned to face her.

"What's wrong?"

Rose bit her lip, looking up at him, her eyes trembling. "Morrison, I give up, really. I've been a complete disaster from the start, so I don't care anymore.

"Whatever you do from here on out, whether I'm heartbroken, sad, or disappointed, even if there are things that can't be undone, I accept it. If that day comes, it'll just be my own damn fault. I accept it, because that's my fate.

"So, Morrison, don't force yourself to do things you don't like, don't get hurt, and don't let anything happen to you. I can't stand to see you suffer. I love you, no matter what the outcome, as long as you're still you. I don't want to see you compromising for me."

Her eyes reddened, her words calm yet charged with emotion.

Yes. That was just how pathetic she was. Morrison had completely undone her resolve with just a couple of actions from last night and this morning; all her defenses had crumbled.

She was destined to be nothing more than dust at his feet. To speak up meant admitting total defeat.

Morrison hadn't expected this change of heart from her after last night.

"Morrison, you've won. You've won, but damn it, I love you."

Suddenly, Morrison pulled her close, pinning her against the door. He pressed his forehead against hers, his voice husky. "No, you've won. You've won, I love you, I never thought I'd throw away all my pride for a woman, and yet here I am, enjoying it.

"I'm not forcing myself, you don't know how precious each of your smiles, each satisfied look you give me when you eat what I've cooked, is to me.

"I love seeing you happy, knowing you've enjoyed the food I made. God knows how thrilled and proud that makes me.

"Rose, you haven't lost, I have. I owe you, and yet I find happiness and fulfillment in trying to make amends. I must be madly in love with you, more than you love me.

"I won't let you be sad or let anything irreversible happen again, you're my life, and no one would take their own life lightly. No, they'd be scared.

"So trust me, Rose, you don't have to worry, losing you is like losing my life. Strange, how did I end up loving you so much. Can you tell me why?"

Moved, Rose shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "I don't know, I don't know, just like I don't know why I love you so."

Morrison chuckled softly, his usually stern face now mirroring her emotion and tenderness.

"What do we do then?"

Rose could only shake her head.

"Then we'll spend a lifetime searching for that answer, won't we?"

Rose wanted to cry but found herself laughing. "You're always looking to corner me." Even now, he was talking about a lifetime together.

Morrison hugged her tighter, "Yes, keeping you by my side for a lifetime, that's my ultimate goal."

Laughing, Rose reached down and took his hand, which had been wrapped around her waist. Up close, she could see the constellation of small, red burns, and her heart ached even more.

"Let's not go out just yet. I need to put some ointment on those burns."

Morrison glanced down at his hand, then slipped his fingers into his sleeve and pulled out a platinum bracelet.

Rose looked puzzled.

He simply smiled, "I didn't want to get it dirty while cooking."

Rose paused, "How could it get dirty? It would just get some oil on it, and you could wipe it off."

"That's not good enough."

Overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, she still tugged gently at his hand, "Come on, let's get that ointment."

Morrison didn't move, "It doesn't hurt."

Rose frowned sternly, "No you need—mmm..."

Her protest was cut off by his lips sealing hers.

"This way, it'll heal completely."

He paused intermittently, his husky voice whispering in her ear, his warm breath on her cheek, revealing his gentleness and affection.

She barely managed to blink before his next advance overwhelmed her. This time, Morrison clearly wasn't planning on stopping at a mere taste.

Her hands slowly climbed his shoulders, back against the door, head tilted back as she matched his fervor with all she had.

In the vast expanse of the villa, only two souls dwelt, but the sounds of their fervent kisses and breaths mingled with affection were starkly clear in the tranquil space. The temperature was on the rise, and the atmosphere was thick with an intimate warmth that seemed to grow by the minute.

After a while, Morrison pulled back ever so slightly, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that felt like it could ignite the very air between them. Finally, he scooped her up in his arms.

"Looks like little Moon will have to wait a bit longer," he murmured.

Rose's cheeks were aflame.

Gently, Morrison set her on the sofa and leaned over her with a tender look. "It has been waiting for days already. What's a few more hours, right?"