CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: HE’S BEING A FLIRT

"Well, my necklace..." She touched her neck. It was a gift from Grandpa Sterling, she couldn’t lose it.

"In the bedside drawer."

"Alright." Sophia Lowell nodded, quickly ran upstairs to change.

She didn’t want to spend another moment with him.

She opened the top drawer of the bedside table.

"!!"

Startled, she immediately pushed the drawer shut.

"Bang!"

An unbidden crimson swept over her cheeks, her whole body felt like it was being roasted on a fire.

Despite it being winter, she broke into a thin sweat.

When did he buy them? Ultra-thin, taking up half the drawer. What’s he planning, buying so many, is he going to blow up balloons...

He had everything prepared, so why did he still reject me?

Her cheeks burned hotter than when she indulged in spicy food.

She swallowed nervously, hesitantly opening the second drawer.

The pearl necklace and earrings were there, kept in a small box, with another box beside it.

Curiosity piqued, she opened it to find a tulip brooch.

So beautiful, refracting a rainbow of colors in the light, she examined it closely. It was a unique design, only available through bespoke handmade orders.

"Do you like it?" He leaned against the door frame.

"!!"

Oh! When did he get to the door?

Was he asking about that, or this?

"I like it." Sophia’s ears were burning, her hands clutched tightly as she hurriedly got up.

"Glad to hear that." He smiled charmingly.

"Thank you."

She pushed the drawer back and noticed the bag she brought back last night, quickly changing the topic.

"I got you a gift too." She walked to the bed, opened the bag, and took out her jacket.

Then carefully took out the two shirts and a suit she made for him.

She delicately picked them up, showing them off.

Zane Sterling lazily shuffled over in his slippers.

Last night when she said, "this is his," so "he" was indeed himself.

He was grinning ear to ear as if he had won a great battle.

She was trying to start liking him.

That was good enough, he’d already won more than half the battle.

Watching Zane walk over with a cocky charm, his roguish good looks made her flustered.

Her heart pounded, her palms were burning.

"You, try it on yourself..." She held the clothes, turning slightly to see him up close, her face flushed.

She hurriedly stuffed the clothes into his arms and ran out.

"I’ll wait for you downstairs." She felt like a child caught stealing candy, fleeing in panic,

"Heh..." He smiled, his long, sturdy fingers stroking the fabric, lowering his head to smell the white shirt as if he could catch the lingering scent of her fingers.

His wardrobe was all black, curious as to why this woman always tailored him white shirts.

But, it seemed he quite liked it.

She only had to wait for less than ten minutes downstairs when Zane came down with a tie.

He wore her white shirt, a black coat, and his original trousers as Sophia hadn’t had the chance to make a set.

She hadn’t had the opportunity to measure his waist, plus she felt their relationship was still in the upper-half phase; moving beyond that would take time.

"Did you make this?" Zane asked, walking over to her on the sofa.

Sophia quickly stood up, nodded, and then cautiously examined him.

No surprise for a man with military experience, his broad shoulders contrasted under the suit, the fit perfectly accentuating his build.

"The top button doesn’t fit." Zane sat slowly on the sofa, tugging at the collar, looking at her.

Sophia could clearly see his perfect cheekbones, every pore of his delicate skin up close.

His features were quite handsome, thick hair, eyes sometimes carrying a sorrowful, dark brown hue.

And that high nose bridge often hidden under his glasses, sometimes hard to gauge.

Feeling a bit nervous, as winter had just arrived and the air was cold, her hands already started sweating.

Stepping forward, she carefully reached out, her fingertips inadvertently grazing his neck, picking up the button.

The button was fine; maybe it was her nerves making it difficult to fasten.

She stepped closer, tilting her head towards his neck, her warm breath brushing against his face.

Where her breath touched, a blush began to spread inch by inch.

Her soft hand seemed to feel his Adam’s apple move, the rhythmic trembling of his chest with the flow of breath.

She could clearly feel her fingers glide over Zane, his skin firm yet resilient.

Zane chuckled, resting his hand on her waist.

Creating an ambiguous position.

With just a slight exertion, she could become his lunch for the day.

Her body stiffened, frozen in place.

"Is it too tight?" Her voice softly entered his side ear, warm and gentle, unknowingly stirring him up.

"No, I just wanted Mrs. Sterling to help." He candidly expressed his thoughts.

"..."

Sophia, having just finished buttoning, looked at him through the lenses, her gentle eyes meeting his warm gaze.

He was being a bit of a rogue.

"Is that okay?" His intense gaze fell upon Sophia.

Sophia’s face was already flushed, without makeup she seemed even fairer, with a rosy glow.

Luscious red lips, skin like a peeled lychee, every inch teeming with tantalizing urges.

Zane handed her the tie.

She took it, seemingly under some enchantment. "Okay..."

He laughed.

Sophia tightly gripped the tie, coming to her senses, her little heart pounding wildly.

"Why did you think of making clothes for me?" Seeing her nervous demeanor, Zane decided to start a conversation, afraid she’d hide out of shyness.

Indeed, Sophia was receptive to this. She took small steps, moving closer to him.

"I’ve ruined so many of your clothes, it didn’t sit well with my conscience, felt like I should compensate." She murmured, one knee on the sofa by his thigh, the other between his legs.

Quite risky.

Zane’s pupils darkened, his Adam’s apple continuously moving, his voice hoarse.

"So, this shirt was made by your hands?" He noticed a tiny tulip embroidered near the collar.

Her favorite flower. "Yes."

She shyly flipped his collar up, her small hands’ hot breath warming the edges of his skin.

An electric current seemed to scramble everywhere she touched.

Zane watched her intently, observing as her shyness turned into a burning red flush.

"Mrs. Sterling, you’re starting to like me." His straightforward words left Sophia with nowhere to hide.

She nervously tugged, causing the tie to pull harshly against him.

"Mm!" A heavy grunt suddenly escaped from Zane’s mouth.

Sophia blushed, quickly loosening her grip, explaining: "No, not yet..."

"It’s alright, I’ll keep trying." The burning heat spread from his chest to her jade hand.

Sophia tidied his collar, then took a step back.

So that night was because she hadn’t fallen for him yet, that’s why she refused?

She bit her lip.

How do you even try when you’re never home?

She didn’t dare say those words.

"I’ll also try to start liking you." Sophia said.

Zane thought he misheard, stunned for a few seconds.

"Let’s go." Sophia awkwardly picked up the bag from the sofa, heading towards the door.

He grabbed his wool coat, following behind her, smiling like a child.

"Sophia." He tugged her wrist gently.

"Mm?" Startled, she stopped, turning to look at him.

"I’d like a sip of soup."