Their breaths intertwined. The man’s presence was overwhelming, and she had nowhere to hide.
“Follow the path I’ve laid out for you, and if you wish to return, two years, no, at most one year, I can have you back in Wavery.”
Dexter lowered his head, gazing at her for a long time. “Jo, over the years, you should understand me. I am not just a lover to you. Can you trust me?”
The gentle and affectionate words trapped Josie, leaving her somewhat bewildered. “Living alone in a foreign land, as the third party intruding on your marriage, you might as well kill me,” she said.
As soon as these words were spoken, Dexter exerted even more force, leaving no room for restraint. He leaned down and bit her lips hard. Their lips and teeth clashed, drawing blood from both of them and filling the air with a metallic taste.
Dexter was unwilling to let go.
Josie began to struggle wildly, fiercely pounding on his shoulders. He stood still as a mountain. After a while, she finally gave up, collapsing weakly into his arms.
“You’re really too much… always putting me in a dilemma.”
“When we divorced, I left you with a property in Nalanica and a farm. Everything there has been arranged, so you won’t have to worry about anything. If you wish to continue working in design, Mr. Peeple will make the necessary arrangements.”
He spoke slowly, which reminded Josie of his own words when he bribed Ruby.
Only then did she understand how awkward it was.
“As for your father, I will continue to work with the senior police officer to search for him. As soon as there’s any news, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Russell Group’s situation is murky. Now that it’s entangled with the Olsen family, it could collapse at any moment. Josie, believe me, I truly have your best interests at heart.”
It was rare to hear Dexter speak his heart out. He used to be forever cold and restrained, never sharing his plans with her. But now, he was being completely open and honest.
Josie lowered her gaze, focusing on the string of rosary beads on his wrist. “What about after we get married?”
“This marriage will last at most a year. Russell Group will certainly be able to escape from the current situation.”
“What I’m asking is about you and Heather.”
She continued, “Will you two share a bed? Will you travel with her? Will you set off fireworks with her on New Year’s? Will you ensure she has no worries as Mrs. Russell? Will you take care of her parents out of love for her? Dexter, will you?”
Josie asked quickly and sharply. As she did, a flurry of images flashed through her mind, all of them fragments of moments she had once shared with this man.
A tumultuous wave of emotions washed over Dexter’s face. He almost crushed the woman’s wrist in his grip. He wanted to respond, yet he found himself unable to utter a word.
Josie smiled forcefully. “See… You will.”
“I won’t sleep with her.”
“How would I know if you would?” Josie glanced at his lower abdomen. The intimate contact just now made her aware of the changes in his body.
“I understand you, as well as your desires.”
Dexter’s face darkened, a chilling coldness in his eyes. “Only for you.”
Josie’s palm was burning hot, causing her face to instantly flush red. “Let go of me!”
Dexter didn’t insist. He let go of her hand but still held onto her waist.
“No matter what you think, Jo, I won’t let you leave me again, even if it means imprisonment.”
Such resolve made Josie want to flee, but she knew that there was no room for negotiation once Dexter made a decision. She took a deep breath.
“Let go of me first.”
He completely backed off.
“Take me for a drive,” she suddenly said.
It was getting quite late, and dawn was about to break. There weren’t many cars on the road.
Dexter frowned after hearing her words. “You’ve locked the car. I can’t get out, so don’t worry.”
