The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 19

Natalia wheeled Magnus onto the spacious balcony of the second-floor study, squatting down to gently massage his legs. After a while, she turned to fetch a little wooden hammer. She tapped Magnus's leg nerves earnestly, over and over again. The man watched her silently as she performed a series of actions. Occasionally, she seemed very professional. He could hardly believe that this pampered daughter of the Clarksons had read an entire book and devised a rehabilitation plan just to help with his recovery.

If she was pretending, why went to all this trouble? He watched her pale hands kneading his leg. Her long hair was pulled up into a bun, a few strands falling onto her small face. Her neck looked even more delicate in the sunlight.

Her long eyelashes quivered slightly, stirring up a feather-light sensation in Magnus' heart. He was reminded of the other night when he had helped her change clothes, the image of her immaculate, full-bodied figure burned into his mind.

He felt a heat spreading throughout his body, gazing at her pink lips; he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Natalia blinked slightly, looking up into the man's intense eyes. Just as she tried to stand, he pulled her abruptly into his arms. He loosened his hold on her, raising a hand to touch her smooth face. His eyes devoid of any anger, his other hand gently encircling her waist.

Natalia's heart pounded. Before she could react, Magnus' handsome face was only a few inches away, his warm breath fanning her face. She sat on his lap, separated by the fabric, yet she could feel the warmth of his legs. The scent of his fresh, masculine cologne filled her nostrils. Her face flushed deeply.

She had dated Hector for six months without ever being this close. Their intimacy limited to holding hands and chaste kisses on the forehead. She had never felt this nervous before. She tried to stand, but Magnus gently pushed her back down, his warm voice whispering, "Rest a bit before you continue. Okay?"

His husky voice echoed in her ear, his hot breath tickling her earlobe. Natalia's face turned even redder. She tried to lift his hands from her waist.

"But... but I should sit on the chair. Your legs... they can't hold weight," she protested, albeit weakly. She couldn't just sit on his lap while she took a break, could she? What if the servants or Linden saw them?

"It's fine. Just stay here," he murmured, his voice low and raspy. His gazes, burning like a flame, were locked onto her flushed face. A thousand ifs raced through his mind, eventually boiling down to one: if only she wasn't Lucius' woman, how wonderful it would be.

Natalia didn't dare to look up or say anything. She sat on his lap, her body stiff, feeling as if her face was about to melt from the heat.

Magnus held her still, his gaze intense as if trying to determine whether her shyness was real or feigned. Just then, there was a knock at the study door. Before Natalia could stand, the door was pushed open.

"Sir, ma’am, dinner is ready..."

May, had entered. To her surprise, she found Natalia sitting on Magnus' lap on the balcony. She immediately regretted interrupting. Quickly turning to leave, she closed the door with a flustered smile, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't see anything."

Natalia pushed him away, trying to stand, her face as red as a tomato, "You..."

Before she could finish, Magnus pulled her back into his arms, his handsome face inches from hers. Gazing at her soft pink lips, he was tempted to taste them. He had felt the urge several times before.

Unable to resist, he leaned in. Just as he was about to kiss her, Natalia turned her head slightly, his lips grazing her cheek instead. A jolt of electricity coursed through her, leaving her mind blank. She struggled to stand, but he held her down firmly.

"Stay still." His voice, low and rough, seemed to come from deep within his throat. Natalia turned to look at him, his eyes fixed on her face. He held her waist, making her feel uneasy yet immobilized.

"May said we should go eat," Natalia's voice was shaky, her heart pounding in her chest.