Marcus remained perfectly still, allowing Natalie to touch his face. She didn''t realize it, but he could clearly see the effect the alcohol had on her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes a bit ssy, and her expression softened as if she were a


    little tipsy.


    "Marcus, I want to kiss you." Natalie moved closer, locking eyes with him. Before he could respond, she leaned in and kissed him.


    Marcus'' body tensed up instantly. His hand moved to her waist, but he didn''t pull away. He let her kiss him. Thest time, he had kissed her in the car, unable to control himself. This time, she was the one making the move.


    They kissed again, but neither was very experienced. The softness of her lips against his made his mind go nk for a moment.


    Natalie kept her eyes wide open, staring directly into Marcus'' eyes. She saw a reflection of herself in them. She giggled softly. Afterughing, she brushed her lips against his, sending a shiver through him.


    Marcus'' heart raced, and his body heated up almost uncontrobly. Especially his face and ears, which were burning from the sight of her eyes-eyes that were almost as red as the wine they had been drinking.


    Marcus tightened his arms around her waist and, in one smooth motion, flipped her over so that she was lying on the couch.


    He gently stroked her hair, his voice low as he asked, "Nat, I want to kiss you. Is that okay?"


    Natalie blinked up at him before suddenly wrapping her arms around his neck and flipping him onto his back.


    "I want to be on top," she said, then leaned down and kissed him again.


    She grabbed his ears and started gently rubbing them, kissing him more forcefully.


    Marcus'' grip on her waist tightened at her ministration, but Natalie winced slightly from the pressure on her waist. She loosened her grip on his ear, ced her hand on his waist, and gently pushed his hand away.


    "Nat, look at me. Do you know who I am?"


    In the brief pause, Marcus, breathing hard, gently lifted her chin with his fingers and stared intently at her.


    "Natalie, tell me, who am I?"


    "You''re Marcus," she blinked, "I know who you are."


    "Then do you know what you''re doing?"


    Marcus'' eyes were bloodshot, his voice more hoarse than usual, and deeper than ever before.


    "I know," Natalie giggled, resting her head on his chest. She held hisrge hand in hers and continued to y with his ear. "I''m kissing you. Marcus, you''re really handsome. You''re the best-looking guy I''ve ever seen. Your lips are so soft, it''s so nice to kiss them."


    "Nat, you''re drunk," Marcus said softly, his gaze filled with tenderness and concern. He had tested how much she could handle, and now it was clear. She couldn''t drink like this again when she was alone.


    "I''m not drunk," Natalie said, leaning down to kiss him again. His lips were soft, with a hint of sweet wine, almost like a chocte truffle filled with liquor.


    As soon as her lips touched his again, Marcus''rge hand gripped her waist even tighter. She squirmed and pped him lightly across the face in protest.


    "Marcus, why don''t you let me kiss you?"


    "Nat, close your eyes," Marcus'' voice was rough, and with a sudden motion, he lifted her up and settled her on hisp, his hand firmly around her waist and the other holding the back of her head. Then, he kissed her deeply.


    Natalie obeyed, closing her eyes and letting him kiss her. The sensation was new and strange to her, but she didn''t mind. In fact, she kind of liked it.


    She knew it was Marcus, and she didn''t need constant reminders. If she wanted to kiss him, she would. If he didn''t want her to, then next time, she wouldn''t.


    Marcus was smart enough to notice when she was upset and gave her what she wanted.


    The kiss was gentle, and soon, Natalie lost all her energy, falling limp against him, her body exhausted.


    "I''m tired..." she mumbled, pushing Marcus'' head away, snuggling into his arms, searching for afortable spot, and falling asleep almost immediately.


    Marcus'' breath came in shallow gasps as he fought to control his desire. Watching her drift off in his arms, the overwhelming possessiveness in his chest finally calmed down, reced with a quiet tenderness.


    He stared at Natalie for a long while, until the heat in his body was under control. Only then did he whisper softly, "Goodnight."


    Marcus gently stroked her face, smoothing her hair back, then carefully draped his jacket over her. He picked her up carefully, intending to take her to his room.


    The Book Sanctum wasn''t the best ce for sleeping, and he wasn''t about to let her stay there.


    As he walked out of it, carrying her, he spotted Sheldon and Connie standing nearby, trying to peek


    inside. As soon as they saw him


    carrying Natalie, they straightened up, looking overly proper, as if they weren''t doing anything else.


    "Mr. Holden, is Ms. Walker okay?" Sheldon asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.


    "Mr. Holden, what happened to Ms. Walker?" Connie followed up.


    The two of them exchanged a knowing look before ncing back at Natalie in Marcus'' arms. It definitely looked like something was going on.


    "Ms. Walker drank too much. I''m taking her to the guest room to rest," Marcus replied indifferently. "Sheldon, get the Book Sanctum cleaned."


    "Yes, of course." Sheldon didn''t need any further details. With a quick look from Marcus, he understood everything and immediately got to work.


    Marcus didn''t even nce at the eavesdropping duo, and he carried Natalie toward the main building.


    "Sheldon, do you think Mr. Holden is going after Ms. Walker?" Connie asked, sounding a little displeased. "What about his history with Sophia? Is he just juggling two women now?"


    "Don''t say that," Sheldon chuckled, amused. "You know exactly how things went down between him and Ms. Sinir. If you were really dissatisfied with him, you wouldn''t be here, waiting to see what''s going on."


    Connie blushed. "Well, it''s just that Mr. Holden has a... history, you know. And when he said Ms. Walker''s drunk, how do you know if it''s the alcohol or if she''s really?ust faking it for him? It feels like Mr. Holden might be ying his cards right."


    Connie had been staying at Holden Residence recently, seeing Marcus all the


    time. He treated her with respect, so she no longer found him intimidating.


    "Alright," Sheldon said with a


    l.ne


    satisfied smile. "After all these years, I finally see, that Mr. Holden has a heart. This is a big deal! Now, Connie don''t worry so much about the past between him and Ms. Sinir. Just focus on this if Mr. Holden treats Ms. Walker badly, I''ll step in and set him straight.


    Sif


    "Mr. Holden is the type who doesn''t fall for just anyone. When he does, he''d do anything for that person. You don''t have to worry about his loyalty or love when ites to the one he loves."


    Connie just sat there, thinking, "I''m not a mind reader. How am I supposed to


    know if he''d really do anything for her?"


    But honestly, seeing Marcus hold Natalie like that was a beautiful sight. The two of them were perfect for each other.