After Scarletteid it all out, Nichs lowered hisshes, a fleeting smile ying on his lips. "It''s not hard for me, but how do you n on rewarding me?"


    Scarlette knew exactly what he meant. ying dumb wasn''t going to work this time.


    She rubbed her temples, "What''s on your mind?"


    Nichs didn''t beat around the bush, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper, "I want to sleep with you."


    Scarlette paused, still trying to wrap her head around how much Nichs had changed. They''d grown up as siblings, or at least she thought of him that way. When did he start thinking differently? And how did he get so shamelessly bold about it?


    Thinking about ra, Scarlette realized there was no backing out. After all, it wasn''t like they hadn''t been down this road before.


    "I''lle over tonight."


    Since their fallout, she hadn''t set foot in the Greenard estate. Then Nichs moved out, bought himself a vi, and she''d never been there either.


    Nichs''s eyes reddened slightly, not sure why she suddenly agreed, but his heart felt warm nheless. He quickly sent her the address, knowing full well that Scarlette, with her tendency to avoid him, probably didn''t know where he lived now.


    The thought made him grit his teeth in frustration. She''d been the one to make the first move, so why was she avoiding him like the gue now?


    When Scarlette saw the address, she finally realized where he lived these days. Over the years, she''d gone out of her way to avoid anything rted to him. Once she shed the identity of the Greenard family''s adopted daughter, their worlds never really crossed paths. She only heard about him now and then through mutual acquaintances.


    With a deep breath, she drove over. Once outside the vi, she sent ra a message.


    "You have no idea how much I''m sacrificing."


    ra didn''t get it at first, about to ask when Scarlette sent another.


    "In the future, you owe me. No excuses."


    ra adored Scarlette''s boldness.


    "Miss ckwood, if you say go east, I wouldn''t dare go west."


    Scarlette chuckled, rang the doorbell, and waited. Footsteps quickly approached; it was Nichs who opened the door.


    He''d been in the middle of a meeting when her call came through. The moment he hung up, he ditched the meeting and rushed over.


    Seeing Scarlette, his eyes lit up, and he pulled her inside, eagerly capturing her lips.


    Scarlette, with her sultry elegance, turned her head slightly, feeling a bit awkward. "Call the police first."


    Nichs, his face flushed with excitement, was already unbuttoning her blouse with one hand, phone in the other, dialing the police.


    Once he was done, he tossed the phone aside and swept Scarlette into his arms.


    She found herself on the bed, watching as he unbuttoned his shirt, approaching her step by step.


    Their first time, they''d both been drunk, and she''d identally called out someone else''s name. They hadn''t been intimate since. Now, seeing her once little brother so passionate, she felt a bit panicked.


    On the business field, Scarlette was sharp and decisive, easily handling other men. But with Nichs, she was out of her element.


    Nichs was too eager, pressing in close.


    Scarlette took a deep breath, surrendering. "Cover my eyes."


    He gripped her chin, "Don''t want to see my face that much?"


    She frowned, "Nichs!"


    Nichs entered her, lowering his head to capture her lips. "No blindfold. Look at me."


    Scarlette''s face was a mix of red and white. She might flirt with younger men asionally, but she''d never be this blunt-especially not with Nichs.


    She turned away, not wanting to meet his gaze, but Nichs held her chin firmly.


    "Scarlette, look at me."


    Scarlette closed her eyes, bracing herself.


    But Nichs seemed to have learned a thing or two since their first drunken encounter. Back then, she was in control, and he didn''t even know how to react. Now, he was navigating with confidence.


    Watching her expressions, he realized she was pretending, and his pent-up frustration finally eased.


    "Say my name."


    Scarlette bit her lip, refusing, so he continued.


    She thought she''d give in, but Scarlette was stubborn, holding out till the end.


    A dangerous glint passed through Nichs''s eyes, and he intensified his actions.


    When Scarlette finally passed out, Nichs felt a pang of guilt, burying his head in her neck, confusion in his eyes.


    What now? He couldn''t bear to let Scarlette go. Why should his world be thrown into chaos after that night while she could just walk away, leaving a chasm between them?


    He couldn''t ept that.