CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 131 - 124: Deciding on a Showdown
Julian Donovan had been rebuffed, but there was nothing he could do about her. So, he simply dragged her into his bedroom next door. In truth, what he wanted most was to hold her while they slept.
Even the good-tempered Naomi Shaw couldn’t help but flare up after being treated so domineeringly time and again. She flung his hand away. "Julian Donovan, even if I agreed to give you another chance, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to jump into bed with you!"
He kept taking advantage of her like this. ’What does he take me for? A woman who’ll sleep with anyone?’
Her outburst didn’t make Julian angry. Instead, his eyes instantly lit up with joy. He came over, grabbed her by the shoulders, and asked, "Naomi, what did you say? Say that again."
The delighted surprise on his face made Naomi suddenly realize what she’d just said in her anger. She had originally planned to tell Julian only after she returned to Wincastle and spoke with Sean Donovan.
Annoyed with herself, she turned her head away and ignored him, stubbornly refusing to repeat herself. "I’m going back to my room to sleep!"
How could Julian possibly let her go back? He grabbed her and started being childish again. "You’re not allowed to go back. Stay here with me!"
She glared at him. "Did you not hear what I just said?"
He wrapped an arm around her and guided her toward the large bed. "Sleeping here doesn’t mean I’m going to force you into anything. I won’t do a thing. I won’t even touch you, alright?"
Naomi was completely helpless against him. She got into bed, wrapped herself in a blanket, and lay on the very edge. He was true to his word and lay down quietly beside her. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she noticed he had rolled over, propped himself up, and was staring at her without blinking.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that!"
’How am I supposed to sleep with him staring at me?’
He just looked at her, his expression serious. "I’m afraid you’ll suddenly disappear again."
A pang of pain shot through her chest. She turned her back to him and tossed a sentence over her shoulder, "Don’t be so childish. Just get some sleep!"
The air was so quiet she could hear her own heart pounding wildly at his words.
After a long moment, his voice came from behind her. "You have to keep your word about what you said earlier!"
She didn’t answer, simply closing her eyes and quietly drifting off to sleep.
’Julian, I hope we’ll be okay this time. No more drama. I’m so tired. I really can’t take any more hurt.’
He said he wouldn’t touch her, but when Naomi Shaw woke up, she was in his arms. Still, she had to admit the medicine he gave her last night had really worked. Her head was no longer as groggy as it had been yesterday, and her throat felt much better.
For some reason, the usually light sleeper hadn’t woken up. His brow was smooth and the corners of his firm lips were turned up, as if he were having a pleasant dream. She gently lifted the large hand resting on her, pulled the blanket that had slipped down to his waist back up, and then quietly slipped out of bed.
When Julian Donovan finally woke up, he realized he was the last one to do so. The empty feeling in his arms made him sit up in bed uneasily. When he heard voices and occasional laughter from downstairs, his heart finally settled, and he lay back down comfortably on the large bed.
He hadn’t slept so soundly in three years. Tyson blamed himself for putting her on that boat. Julian blamed himself because his poor treatment of her was what led to her resolute departure. Tyson had suffered, and so had he.
Even after they were reunited, her indifference and rejection meant he was never at ease. Every night, he would rack his brain for an excuse to see her the next day or try to create an opportunity for her to come to him. Then, after every meeting, her coldness would leave him feeling dejected all over again.
Last night, she had finally relented. He felt as if every cell in his body had roared back to life, buzzing with an excitement that kept him from sleeping. After she was asleep, he gently pulled her into his arms and just watched her. He stared for half the night before finally succumbing to an overwhelming sleepiness.
And so, he had slept soundly until now.
He stretched his limbs and was just about to get up when he heard footsteps outside. He immediately lay back down and pretended to be asleep. ’The steps are so light. It must be her.’
The person was indeed Naomi Shaw. She, the two children, and Mrs. Sommers had been waiting for him for breakfast for ages, but he still hadn’t come down. She had no choice but to go up and get him. She knew he had a habit of going for a run early in the morning. Why was he sleeping in so late today with no sign of stirring? ’Could it be... is he sick?’
She pushed open the door to see him still lying face down on the large bed, the blanket only covering him to his waist. Since this was his bedroom, the room’s color palette was dominated by cool, dark tones. The sheets were a dark gray with a subtle pattern. She walked over and stood there, hesitating for a moment before reaching out to nudge his bare shoulder. "Julian Donovan, it’s time to get up!"
He took the opportunity to roll over, grabbing her and pulling her into his embrace. She had thought he was still asleep, never imagining he was only pretending. Caught completely off guard, she tumbled into his arms. Her thigh unavoidably brushed against the evidence of his morning arousal. He let out a muffled groan while holding her, and she felt the hard object swell even larger. Her face instantly turned beet-red.
On top of that, her cheek was pressed against his chest, the warmth of his skin making her face burn even hotter. After all, he was completely bare from the waist up. Flushed and flustered, she pushed him away and stood up straight. "Hurry up and get ready! Everyone’s waiting for you for breakfast!"
With that, she hastily turned to flee. ’I knew I shouldn’t have come up to get him.’
He reached out and grabbed her arm. His voice, filled with cheerful satisfaction, sounded from behind her. "I’ll be right up. But what should I wear today?"
"How should I know!"
She irritably shook off his hand and turned to glare at him. Why was he suddenly being clingier than a child? Even Dylan didn’t need her to pick out his clothes for him.
He looked at her seriously. "I want you to be like you were before, preparing my clothes for me every morning—the shirt, the tie, the accessories, everything."
She froze. It was true. During the years they were together, she had been like a devoted little wife. No matter how late their lovemaking sessions went, she would always wake up early the next day to meticulously prepare his breakfast and hang his coordinated outfit in the walk-in closet. After his morning run and shower, he would change into the fresh clothes and sit down at the dining table, looking refreshed and sharp.
Back then, she was still in school. On days she had class, she would eat breakfast with him and then rush off. On days she didn’t, she would crawl back into bed for a second sleep after he left for work. She took care of every aspect of his daily life so meticulously that he was able to focus on building his career without any distractions.
