Chapter 18: The seduction
Nathaniel halted in his tracks, momentarily stunned. His eyes scanned her figure, clad in a provocative dress that left little to the imagination. This wasn’t how he had ever seen her before.
"What the—"
"Let me take care of this," she interrupted, reaching for his coat with a playful smirk. Her fingers grazed his shoulders, and in the motion, she pressed her soft curves against his chest, her face nearly brushing his as she leaned in close. "I’ve been waiting for you impatiently."
Nathaniel stood stiffly as she took the briefcase from his hand. He didn’t look at her. His eyes were fixed on the opposite wall, his face cold and unreadable, as if carved from stone.
Zara’s heart pounded like a war drum in her chest as she moved in closer. "Nathaniel..." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
He didn’t respond.
She stood right before him. "Please... look at me."
His eyes shifted to her, scanning her once, emotionless, before he looked away. "What are you doing?"
"I want a child," she said, her voice trembling with desperation. "I want you to love me tonight."
"You know I don’t—"
"I know," she interrupted, reaching up to put her hand on his face. "I know you don’t love me. I know your heart is still buried in the past. But I’m still here, Nathaniel. Breathing, aching. I’m still your wife. I want you. I need to feel you."