THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 416: It’s Mutual

"Believe me, girlfriend, such a guy is not good for you. You should be happy you weren’t that deep into him when he revealed his true colours.

"Carol is right, if you ask me. That guy is not worth it, so snap out of whatever it is you feel and call Dolly back.

"Alright," Isabella seemed to agree with them but only she knew whether she was deep into him or not. As a matter of fact from the first minute, she fell helplessly for him, but that was for her personal consumption... only.

"Go on," urged Carol when they saw another incoming call still displaying Dolly’s name.

"Please, Bella, I need your help," Dolly’s frantic voice sounded from the earpiece.

*******

Meanwhile at Lauren’s home, Killian reached out and ruffled his sister’s head dotingly.

"You did a great job, lil sis. You were able to provoke her so mad that she fell right into our trap," Killian said as the voice recorder ended.

"Really?" Lauren asked. It was so rare to receive any praise from her brother.

"Yeah, see, she reached out as soon as you left her."

"How do you know she called someone?" Lauren asked, casting a suspicious look at her brother.

"I have my ways," he merely said and resumed tapping on his laptop. Soon a string of numbers appeared and he plugged his earphone to his ears.

He tapped a few more times, then closed the laptop and suddenly stood up. "I’ll see you tomorrow sis. Take care of yourself and don’t be too carried away and do anything naughty tonight."

Remember you’re not married until you’re married.

A slight frown crossed Lauren’s features. "And what’s that supposed to mean?"

"Whatever you want to make of it," Killian said.

"Well I’m not making any sense out of it,"

"All I’m saying is that, don’t sell yourself cheap. Give him a hard time. Make him pay for keeping you in the dark for so long. Make him prove..."

"That’s enough brother. I get it now," Lauren had to stop him. She knew there was no love lost between her brother Killian and her fiancé Steffan, so even though Killian was the one who came up with the idea of not revealing Steffan’s whereabouts to the rest of the family, he still wants her to put the blame on Steffan.

"See you, later," Killian said before the door closed after him.

"Yeah," Lauren shook her head helplessly then picked up her phone.

"Where are you? Can we meet up?" After getting Steffan’s location from him, Lauren drove straight to the hospital.

She met Steffan in Dr Sullivan’s office.

"Hello, Doc, how are you today?" Lauren greeted the elderly man and went over to peck Steffan on the cheek.

"I’m good and I guess there’s no need to ask about you. Your rosy cheeks and charming smile tells it all," Dr Sullivan praised as he scrutinized Lauren’s appearance.

"You flatter me, Doc... but I’m happy," she said.

"We all are, dear. I’ve missed my boy and couldn’t be more glad to have him back." He patted Steffan on the shoulder and handed him an envelope.

"There’s nothing to worry about and you can resume whenever you’re ready," Dr Sullivan said.

"Thanks, chief," Steffan said and rose to his feet. We’ll be on our way now." He helped Lauren pull back her seat as she also stood up.

"See you around Doc," Lauren said with her dimpled smile.

"Of course dear, and do take care of each other."

"We will," they chorused as they left the office.

Dr Sullivan stared at the closed door for some minutes before he returned to his work. They were so in love but have to always face one obstacle or the other just when things were beginnyto work out. He prayed this time, it would be smooth sailing for them. They deserve to be happy.

As for Dolly, it was needless to say that her medical license will be withdrawn and he’ll see to that immediately.

"So, you couldn’t even wait for me to come back...did you miss me that much?" Steffan teased as he drew Lauren close to him.

They were back in his office. He needed to get something before heading back home.

"What do you think?" Lauren snuggled closer and traced a line along his jawline.

Steffan’s grin widened at Lauren’s boldness. Her touch did not fail to send the familiar warmth spreading through him. He leaned down, his forehead brushing against hers as their eyes locked.

His breath mingled with hers as he murmured in a low and teasing voice, "I think you missed me more than you’re willing to admit."

Lauren let out a soft laugh and brushed her lips against his. "Maybe I did," she whispered, her eyes dancing with mischief. "But can you blame me?"

"Not at all, my love...I missed you too." Steffan’s hand slid around her waist, pulling her even closer.

"I guess it’s mutual then." Without waiting for Steffan’s response, Lauren tilted her head up and closed the gap between them, her lips meeting his in a slow, lingering kiss.

Steffan responded immediately, his hand tangling in her hair as he deepened the kiss, savoring the moment.

Time seemed to stop as they lost themselves in each other.

Steffan’s other hand traced the curve of her back, drawing soft murmurs from Lauren as she pressed herself closer to him, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. "You have no idea how much I’ve missed this," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Lauren smiled up at him, her eyes soft and affectionate. "I think I do," she said, her voice quiet but filled with meaning. "Because I’ve missed it just as much."

With that, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, this time more urgently, as if she needed to make up for every second they had been apart.

Steffan responded in kind, lifting her slightly off the ground as they stumbled back toward the desk, their bodies pressed tightly together.

As he set her down on the edge of his desk, his kisses trailed down her neck, causing her to tilt her head back, her breath catching in her throat. Her fingers threaded through his hair, tugging gently as her body arched toward him.

"Steffan," she whispered in a barely audible voice which was now filled with longing.

His name on her lips sent a surge of desire through Steffan, and he captured her lips again.

She only realized his hands had found their way under her blouse when Steffan’s warm and steady hands started exploring the softness of her skin and shuddered violently from the electric current his bare hands sent through her body.

His lips left her lips and traveled down her neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, while his hands continued their exploration, deftly unhooking her bra with ease.

Lauren’s body responded instinctively, her back arching toward him as a soft moan escaped her lips.

The air between them was already charged with an undeniable heat.

"Steffan..." she whispered again in a breathless voice filled with need as she gripped his shoulders and pulled him closer.