Natalie looked at Marcus seriously, reaching out to fix the open cor of his shirt. "Sorry, I wasn''t paying attentionst night and ripped your shirt. I''ll take you shopping for clothester. Are your pants okay?"


    Her gaze dropped down, and then she saw something that was definitely not meant to be seen.


    Marcus'' ears turned bright red. He quickly grabbed the nket and pulled it over himself.


    Natalie cleared her throat, trying to cover up the awkwardness. As a doctor, she knew that Marcus'' reaction was just a normal physiological one.


    She had even touched on his absst night with her bare foot and moved down a few inches. The sensation from the dream was still fresh in her mind and a little too vivid.


    She looked at Marcus, who was now covering his lower half with the nket, his face, ears, and neckpletely flushed.


    Marcus cleared his throat a few times. "Go wash up first, and wait for me for a bit."


    "Marcus." Natalie suddenly leaned forward, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at her.


    Maybe because in the dreamst night, she did everything to him that she shouldn''t have. When she looked at him, there was a strange new feeling.


    In her dream, Marcus had been so obedient, letting her do whatever she wanted. But before that, he was always cold and unapproachable.


    "Did I do anything more... inappropriate to youst night?"


    Natalie bit her lip, unsure of what to ask or say next. She then asked, "I didn''t cause you any physical harm or mental trauma, right?"


    Marcus'' throat bobbed, his eyes gradually darkening with an indescribable desire. Last night, while Natalie was drunk, she had not only tried to tame him but even after falling asleep, she kept touching him.


    He had tried to stop her, but she kept grabbing him, biting him. In the end, he just let her do whatever she wanted.


    The consequence of letting her do whatever she wanted was that she eventually fell asleep again, and he, though exhausted, still had vivid, undeniable dreams.


    Natalie was still wearing the clothes fromst night, but they were now wrinkled and clung tightly to her body, outlining her curves and making her waist look even more pronounced.


    Their gazes locked, and an unspoken, powerful attraction began to build between them.


    Suddenly, Natalie cupped Marcus'' face, leaning in closer. Just as she was about to make up her mind about what she wanted to do, his grip on her waist tightened. Before she could react, Marcus kissed her.


    Natalie wanted to protest that they had just woken up, and neither of them had brushed their teeth yet! Marcus pulled her in and fell back onto the bed, pulling the nket over them. His kiss became more urgent.


    The heat between them grew, filling the air with an undeniable tension. Marcus finally pulled away after what seemed like an eternity, breathing heavily.


    "Are you sure you''re going to take responsibility for me?"


    Before Natalie could even react, Marcus kissed her again.


    Suddenly, their phones went off. She took the chance to push him away. She threw the nket off and took a few deep breaths, trying to clear her head.


    "Marcus, you-"


    "Shh." Marcus pressed his finger to her lips. "Grandpa''s calling."


    Natalie froze. She immediatelyy still, watching as Marcus sat up, reached over


    to the nightstand, and grabbed his phone.


    "Hello, Grandpa." Marcus'' voice was still hoarse as he answered.


    "Nattie''s family is here." Charles'' loving voice reached Marcus'' ear. "Lincoln ising up to your room. Marcus, ve already had Sheldon


    prepare the engagement gifts again. Be ready for Lincoln to break your legs!"


    After saying that, Charles hung up.


    Nataliey there, watching Marcus. "What did Grandpa say?"


    "Lincoln''sing up to break my legs." Marcus grinned, casually tossing the phone aside. He quickly straightened his clothes and went to the bathroom.


    "What?" Natalie''s pupils contracted in panic. She hadn''t gone homest night, and her phone must''ve died or she had identally shut it off.


    Lincoln had already made it clear that he didn''t approve of Marcus pursuing her. He had even said he wouldn''t let her ept Marcus.


    But now, it wasn''t a matter of whether she was epting Marcus. It was a matter of her forcing himst night.


    Natalie was still lost in her thoughts when sharp knocks came on the door.


    "Marcus,e out, I need to talk to you." Natalie heard Lincoln calling from outside. "It''s urgent, open the door!"


    Natalie nced toward the bathroom, where the sound of water was running. Marcus wouldn''t be able toe out in time.


    Lincoln switched from knocking to pounding on the door when no one answered. "Marcus,e out."


    Natalie took a deep breath. She remembered what Federrick had taught her if a person did


    something, they had to own up to it. Since she had done all that to Marcusst night while drunk, she had to take responsibility.


    She exhaled deeply before walking to the door and opening it.


    Lincoln, who had raised his hand to knock again, froze when he saw Natalie standing there. He quickly lowered his hand.


    "Lincoln," Natalie said, forcing a smile. "I, uh, think I need to take responsibility for Marcus."


    Lincoln''s face shifted through several expressions. "Nat, move aside."


    Natalie stepped aside hesitantly. "Lincoln, you''re not here to beat up Marcus,


    right? Before you do, just hear me out. Last night, I got drunk, and I... I touched him, scratched him, and even kissed him."


    Natalie followed Lincoln into the room. "I didn''t know I would act like that when I was drunk. And then... I did even worse things."


    She almost blurted out the details of how she forced herself on him, but she had to swallow her embarrassment.


    Lincoln stopped in his tracks. "You mean you forced yourself on Marcus?"


    Natalie avoided his gaze, her voice faltering. "You probably won''t believe me, but that''s what happened. Lincoln, think it''s only right if I take responsibility for my own actions. Actually, I''ve already decided to own up to it. I''m going to get our marriage registeredterol even ruined his clothesst night."


    Lincoln inhaled sharply, his lips curling into a cold smile. "So you''re telling me, a


    man who''s over six feet, couldn''t resist a woman like you?"


    Natalie rubbed her temples. "Maybe... he didn''t resist on purpose."


    Lincoln could figure that out, and so could Natalie.


    If Marcus had wanted to resist, there was no way she, drunk and out of control,


    could''ve overpowered him. So, the conclusion was clear-Marcus had done it on


    purpose.