Chapter 358

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In the second half , Teresa pushed Jonathan away with all her strength . “ You’re rushing things , and I don’t like it . I’m leaving .”
Jonathan pulled her into his arms from behind , his lips brushing softly against her delicate neck . “ I’m sorry . I messed up . ”
Teresa stayed silent , her emotions tangled .
He gently swept her hair aside and continued kissing down her neck , his voice low and full of regret . “ I’m really sorry . I shouldn’t have snapped at you . The day you left , I didn’t mean to lose my temper .
“ I just didn’t want you to see what we have as some kind of transaction . I don’t want you to think so little of our relationship .
“ Every time you talk about money and us just ‘ fucking ,’ it really gets to me . I’m sorry , honey . I really am .”
Teresa’s nose stung with emotion , and before she could say anything , his lips found hers again , this time softer and tenderer .
She mumbled , her voice muffled , “ Are you sober right now ? ”
“ Yeah , ” Jonathan replied .
“ This is the last time , Jonathan , ” Teresa said quietly .
He agreed , “ Alright .”
Jonathan said something else after that , but Teresa didn’t catch it .
When Teresa woke up again , daylight was already streaming through the window .
She woke before Jonathan did . His face wasn’t as flushed as it had been the night before . Slipping out of his arms , she tried to get out of bed , and that
was when Jonathan woke up too .
The first thing he saw was her bare back and her long hair cascading down . She looked stunning .
“ Where are you going ? ” he asked , his hand lingering on her , reluctant to let go .
Teresa brushed his hand away , a little annoyed . “ I’m going to take a shower . ”
“ Can you even walk ? ” he teased .
“ Of course I can ! ” hissed Teresa .
After her shower , Teresa caught sight of herself in the mirror . Marks from the night before were scattered all over her skin . In the middle of summer , she was actually going to have to wear long sleeves .
When Teresa came out of the bathroom , Jonathan was already dressed and ready . He’d taken his shower in the bathroom next door .
“ I think I was drugged last night , ” Jonathan said .
“ What ? ” Teresa looked at him , surprised .
“ There was a female boss from Everport who said she fell for me at first sight . I told her I was divorced with five kids , and she said she didn’t care , ” he said , half amused .
“ Five kids ? You really say whatever comes to mind , ” Teresa said , her heart skipping a beat as she looked away .
“ I’d say ten if I had to . Doesn’t matter – I don’t have any . ” He straightened his tie , sounding much more like himself than he had the night before , looking . refreshed and put together .
1/2
08:53 Mon , 20 May
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Jonathan handed Teresa a bank card . Teresa frowned , suddenly tense , like a weight had settled on her chest . She shook off his hand , and the card fell to the floor . “ What do you take me for ? ”
Jonathan just laughed at her anger , not the least bit offended . He bent down to pick up the card . “ And what exactly should I take you for ? ”
“ Ha . I shouldn’t have let my guard down with you last night . ” Teresa turned to leave , as if she never wanted to see him again .
But Jonathan was quick . He grabbed her arm before she could go . “ Relax , I was just joking . I told you , I was fully aware last night , and I already apologized , didn’t I ?
“ I shouldn’t have stormed out last time , but honestly , what you said was out of line too . Now you know how it feels , right ? Words can hurt . ”
Teresa’s heart twisted . After what happened last night , and now with him offering her money , it stung . She took a breath and admitted , “ Yeah , I was out
of line . ”
Jonathan pressed the card back into her hand and sighed . Meeting her confused gaze , he finally explained , “ It’s just for your living expenses in Mareigh
Take it . ”
“ I don’t need it , ” Teresa said quietly .
Jonathan insisted , “ Just take it . ”
Teresa shook her head . “ I really don’t want it . If you keep insisting , it feels like you’re paying me for last night . ”
Teresa set the card down on the table . Her eyes drifted to the last drawer . She wanted to take out the ring box , but she’d have to wait until Jonathan wasn’t around . There was no way she could do it in front of him .
Jonathan’s attention was elsewhere . He glanced at the bed with the cartoon muffin blanket . “ By the way , that kid – did he go home ? ”
“ No idea . ” Teresa turned to leave but then remembered she still hadn’t retrieved the ring. She hesitated , unable to go just yet .
Jonathan stopped her from leaving . He headed to the kitchen and soon had a pot of pasta ready , with two perfectly cooked eggs sitting on top of each bowl .
Teresa was honestly starving . If she wasn’t , the baby inside her definitely was .
AD
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