Chapter 39: Did You Think You Could Escape?

"Mmh..." Unable to win the argument, he resorted to a forceful kiss.

Tong Xiaoman pressed her palms against his chest, struggling to push him away, but he only wound his arms tighter around her, deepening the kiss. His dominance, his intensity, his aggression—she had no power to resist.

Her breathing grew labored, yet her heart raced faster and her body flushed with heat. Eventually, she melted like water, left with no choice but to cling to him, gasping and sighing softly.

Damn it. Just holding her and kissing her like this caused his desire to surge, clamoring for the woman in his arms. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his hands still locked firmly around her waist, striving to quell the longing she so easily ignited.

Tong Xiaoman looked at him with suspicion. This man—so easily aroused—had he really never been with another woman before? It was highly questionable.

She reached out and poked his shoulder. When he lifted his head, she frowned and asked, "Hey, why do I get the feeling that you know so much about me? Did you investigate me?"

He gazed into her eyes, which were brimming with an urgent need for an answer, his lips curling slightly as he said coolly, "Let’s just say I did."

"What kind of answer is that?" Either he did or he didn't; how could something like this be left to interpretation? Tong Xiaoman glared at him, dissatisfied.

He remained silent, offering neither explanation nor clarification.

Tong Xiaoman held back her frustration and asked again, "Why did you investigate me?" Before this, they hadn't even known each other.

He looked down at her, a smile of absolute certainty playing on his lips. "One should at least have some understanding of one's own wife."

He spoke with such breezy indifference that, to Tong Xiaoman, it felt like a bolt from the blue, leaving her completely stunned. She widened her eyes in shock, staring at him. "You must be joking. Who is your wife?"

"You are." He didn't even blink, his response sharp and ironclad, his tone brooking no refusal.

"You're insane. We barely know each other, and there’s no love between us. How could..." He had background, power, capability, looks, and a perfect physique. Yes, to any other woman, he might be a perfect husband. But she didn't know him at all, let alone love him. How could she possibly marry him?

"Love can be cultivated over time," he said, lowering his head to press a domineering kiss to her lips. He chuckled softly, "You’ve already grown accustomed to my kisses; soon, you will grow accustomed to my body and come to love me." As far as he was concerned, nothing he decided was impossible.

Tong Xiaoman felt a chill run through her entire body. A conspiracy. This was definitely a conspiracy.

She suddenly pushed him away, looking at him as if he were a stranger. "You're crazy," she murmured. "You must be completely insane."

With that, she turned and fled toward the cabin without looking back.

Nalan Che watched her panicked retreat, a mysterious, inscrutable smile gracing his handsome, authoritative face.

Tong Xiaoman, do you really think you can escape?

***

Tong Xiaoman ran back to her room, quickly locked the door, and threw herself onto the soft bed. She clutched a pillow, burying her face in it, trying to calm down. But her mind was in turmoil, the words he had just spoken playing over and over again.

This was the second time he had made such a near-promise to her. He was serious. His tone and his expression made his persistence and his refusal to be denied abundantly clear.