Natalie was feeling slightly frustrated and asked for a back rub.


    Marcus, obedient as always, did it without hesitation. His hand balled into a fist as he gently pressed it against her shoulder and back, neither too hard nor too soft, with a steady rhythm that felt surprisingly soothing.


    Natalie turned her head to look at him. Marcus had an expression of calmness,pletely unbothered by doing something so intimate. He didn''t seem awkward or impatient at all.


    When their eyes met, Marcus gave her a smile. "What''s wrong?"


    "Nothing," Natalie replied, looking away. She began to consider her rtionship with Marcus seriously.


    Did she dislike him now? It didn''t seem so.


    Had she been angry after bing his girlfriend? No, not really.


    The things she did while drunk-were they just a dream? Probably not.


    So, after some reflection, it seemed that she didn''t actually dislike Marcus. In fact, he had saved her in Balford before and had seen her body. He''d seen her, and she''d teased him while drunk. In a way, neither of them could im to have taken advantage of the other.


    Apart from the previous misunderstandings, their interactions felt pretty natural andfortable. So, she decided there was no reason to hesitate anymore.


    If they were going to date, she might as well enjoy it. If he was her boyfriend, then whatever she did for him couldn''t be seen as taking advantage of him.


    With that thought in mind, Natalie turned and gave Marcus a smile. She rxedpletely and said, "Hi boyfriend!"


    Marcus froze for a second, and then his eyes sparkled. He smiled and replied, "Hi, girlfriend."


    "Well then... let''s just take our time and get to know each other."


    "Yeah, I agree."


    Marcus could barely hide the smile on his face. He lowered his head and ced a soft kiss on Natalie''s forehead. He then said, "Nat, thank you."


    Natalie paused for a moment. She made sure that she didn''t feel ufortable with their proximity before she raised her head to kiss the corner of his mouth.


    Her kiss was quick, just a brief peck, but before she could pull away, Marcus suddenly cupped the back of her head, pulling her into a deep kiss. His breath was heavy and warm as he kissed her lips.


    He had wanted to kiss her, to kiss her when she wasn''t drunk, to kiss her openly and without hesitation.


    Finally, his wish was granted.


    Natalie tried to shift her body, but Marcus held her firmly, one hand on the back of her head and the other holding her waist, keeping her from moving.


    She could only stare into his dark, almost ck eyes, watching the reflection of her confused expression in them.


    Although she had been bold in the dream, in reality, Natalie had no experience with love or romantic interactions. She had read online that men were usually more naturally talented in these matters without needing much instruction.


    She was well aware of Marcus'' attitude toward his ex-fiancée, Emma. There had been no intimacy between them-he had clearly disliked her.


    "Nat, focus."


    Marcus broke the kiss briefly, his voice hoarse with desire. Natalie blinked, still a bit disoriented. "How did you know I wasn''t focused?"


    She had been distracted by her own thoughts, but she wasn''t about to admit it.


    Marcus simply chuckled. He gently cupped her face and kissed her again, carefully this time. He had never been interested in women before, but once he met her, he couldn''t help but feel a strong desire to possess her. Despite his usual aloof and cold demeanor for her, he was nothing but tender.


    "Close your eyes." His voice was deep and tempting, and Natalie, almost instinctively, closed her eyes.


    He kissed her again, the kiss deep and lingering.


    It felt like time had stopped, and eventually, Marcus pulled away again, resting his


    forehead against hers as he controlled his breath.


    "We should be arriving soon."


    Natalie''s heart raced, her face flushed with warmth. She couldn''t even look at Marcus anymore,


    feeling like their rtionship hadet


    Ove


    escted faster than she could blink. There was barely any


    buildup-they had jumped straight into kissing and holding each other.


    As the car pulled up to the gate of the Walker Manor, Marcus took out a small,


    luxurious box from his pocket. Inside was a ring.


    "It''s not a formal proposal, just a little something to mark the asion."


    "What?"


    Before Natalie could protest, Marcus gently took her hand and slipped the ring onto her middle finger.


    "Is this okay?"


    Natalie stared at the ring on her finger, slightly exasperated. She nced at Marcus with a look that clearly said, Did you really just put this on without asking


    first?


    "Fine," she said, not really caring for the formalities. Since Marcus wanted the title, letting him give her the ring was just a way to reassure him.


    Marcus held her hand, their fingers intertwined.


    Natalie felt an odd yet strange sense


    of wonder. Back in the Langley


    family, she had always been busy with other things and never had time


    vei


    for love or rtionships. Her


    engagement with Tyler had been


    distant and cold, and they had rarely


    spent time together.


    Later, when the Langley family found Selena and the Miller family discovered her


    true identity, the engagement was quickly called off.


    Natalie hadn''t cared; the only thing she had worried about was how upset Grace would be. But she had no intention ofpeting for Tyler with Selena.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker, we''ve arrived."


    Natalie was still staring at their joined hands when Noah''s voice came through. "Shall we get out?" Marcus asked.


    "Yeah." Natalie snapped out of her thoughts and shed Marcus a yful smile. "Marcus, are you nervous about meeting my parents?"


    "No. I deserve whatever punishmentes my way," Marcus replied. He exited the car and walked around it to open the door for Natalie. "Let''s go."


    "Alright."


    Natalie bent to get out of the car, and Marcus gently ced his hand above her head, guiding her so she wouldn''t identally hit it on the doorframe. When they reached the front door, Charlotte and William had already received the news and were standing there, both looking displeased as they eyed Marcus. "Dad, Mom," Natalie called out before Charlotte could speak. "Mom, give Marcus a hug. He needs some motherly love."


    Charlotte was baffled.