<b>Chapter </b><b>273 </b>
<b>“</b>When did you get here?” Aubree blurted out.
“Right when you <b>were </bining about Südlichen Strand’s exclusivity,” Bowen said, lowering his head slightly, his gaze locking onto her face. She <b>was </b>no longer as gaunt as when they first met. Her cheeks had filled out, making her look endearingly cute.
His eyes shimmered with starlight, burning bright, brimming with untold depths of tenderness and adoration.
Aubree was in no mood to notice how smooth–skinned and good–looking Bowen was. His warm breath brushed against her ear, making her ears burn red.
She <b>was </b>stillpletely stunned, feeling all the blood in her body rushing in reverse, surging to her head and flushing her face bright red.
Bowen pulled her fully into his arms from behind. If he’d left her a little space to react at first, he would push his luck now, holding her tighter and giving her no room to escape.
His unique woody fragrance, tinged with that cool, crisp note so distinctly his, permeated every inch of her. Her body, drawn by his nearness, molded instinctively to his,. By her ear, she could hear his quickening, uneven breaths and the powerful pounding of his heart.
God, he’s making my knees go weak!‘ Aubree thought, overwhelmed by his closeness.
Bowen said, “So this is GrabCheap, the emerce model, you mentioned before?
“When you first described it, I thought the project was viable. But now<b>, </b>seeing your actual blueprint, the venture has staggering potential.”
Aubree’s face flushed crimson, her hands going limp as Bowen’srge palm enveloped hers. Helplessly, she followed wherever his hand guided.
Aubree stared nkly at the screen. Even though the proposal disyed was something she knew like the back of her hand, she couldn’t process a single word.
Bowen said, “Look, here, and here. These areas still have considerable room for optimization. The strategies you’ve used would certainly deliver good results, but the initial investment is too high. If you adjust it like this, you can achieve the same oues while significantly reducing costs.”
Aubree said, “In Südlichen Strand’s business scene, the Diamonde family reigns supreme. They made their fortune in jewelry, andter expanded by marrying their eldest daughter to Ronald, forming a powerful alliance. The Diamonde family operate unscrupulously, colluding with other industry leaders to monopolize the local market. Any outsidepany hoping to gain a foothold in Südlichen Strand usually ends up as one of their junior partners<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Breaking into that market is crucial. I might not be good at much else, but the Turner Group does have some pull in Südlichen Strand. If you’re nning to send someone over, let me know. I’ll pave the way for you.”
From the moment Bowen began helping her revise and enhance the business proposal, Aubree waspletely captivated. All her earlier fluttery, romantic thoughts vanished without a trace, her eyes growing brighter with every word. When Bowen offered to help her break into that market, the joy in her eyes was simply uncontainable.
Aubree smiled. “Alright, I’ll take you up on that. <b>I’ll </b>send Birgitte over and handle things remotely from my end.”
“When the timees, <b>I’ll </b>introduce you to the person in charge of Turner Group in Südlichen Strand.
Aubree’s eyes were alight with pure delight.
Bowen’s gaze lingered on her face<b>, </b>then slowly drifted down to her soft, rosy lips. The barely contained desire in his eyes was veiled beneath ayer of tender affection.
Bowen shed her a teasing smile. “<i>So</i>, Bree, after all the help I just gave you, don’t you think you owe me a little thank you?”
He spoke so gently that Aubree almost thought she’d imagined it.
While Aubree was still in a daze, Bowen reached out, gently tilted her head toward him, then leaned down, his lips iming hers<b>… </b>
He’d only intended to give her a brief kiss, but Bowen had sorely overestimated his self–control. The moment their lips met, the seemingly impregnable walls around his heartpletely crumbled.
All reason flew out the window.
Bowen’s lips imed her luscious red ones, savoring every curve and crevice with a hungry, relentless ardor. His breathing grew ragged. Pinned tightly against his chest, Aubree instinctively began to squirm, but her resistance only made Bowen tighten his hold, pulling her even closer.
‘Not enough. <b>Never </b>enough<b>, </b>Bowen thought, his hunger growing with every touch.
12:47 PM d d
Bowen was no longer content with mere fleeting kisses. Her sweet scent enveloped him, more intoxicating than any aphrodisiac. Gently coaxing her soft lips open. he deepened the kiss, his voice rough with urgency as he murmured against her mouth. “Open for me”
Bowen’s voice was thick with urgency, and the churning heat in his eyes threatened to scorch everything in its path.
Aubree wasn’t sure whether it was Bowen’s intense gaze that intimidated her, or his sudden shift from gentle to demanding that startled her. Against her better judgment, she found herself obediently parting her lips.
The moment her defenses slipped, Bowenunched his full assault. The wet sounds of their kiss filled the air. Anyone with experience could tell the room was thick with amorous tension.
“That’s my good girl, Bowen murmured softly.
Aubree’s face burned crimson, and when they finally broke apart, she looked like a lobster fresh out of boiling water. “You…” she stammered.pletely flustered.
“You didn’t hate it, did you?” Bowen’s voice came out rough and husky with desire.
Aubree instinctively pressed her lips together, but the moment she felt the lingering dampness, she flinched away as if shocked. Her lips parted slightly, caught in hesitation, unable to move forward or retreat.
She shot him a re, her cheeks burning with indignant embarrassment.
“You shameless jerk!” Aubree spat out, her face burning with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
“Yeah, I admit it,” Bowen grinned like a fox who’d just made off with a prize. Aubree swung a fist at him, but it was like punching a pillow, all force. no satisfaction, leaving her even more frustrated.
“So, Bree, do me a favor and make us official?”
Aubree thought, ‘He’s always the type to take a mile when given an inch. I should’ve seen thising. But I never imagined Bowen could be this shameless! I’m the one who got kissed out of nowhere, and before I can even say a word, the brazen guy is already trying to make things ‘official‘?
Who does that?
‘Seriously, has anyone ever been this shameless about getting what they want? Bowen really takes the cake!‘
Lowering hier gaze, Aubree’s thoughts were in turmoil. Last time, I only agreed to give Bowen a chance. Honestly, I like him, so saying yes didn’t seem like a big deal. But now, even though it hasn’t been long, I can tell that his feelings for me are real.
<b>But </b>how long will thisst?‘ Aubree wondered.
Bowen watched as Bree tried to retreat into her shell again, his gaze hardening. Now that she was in college, just walking around campus with her today, he’d seen plenty of attractive young men casting admiring nces her way, not to mention those bold enough to ask for her contact information
He wouldn’t risk it, and he couldn’t afford to lose her.
Bowen leaned forward and pulled Aubree tightly into his arms, leaving no space between them.
Panicked, Aubree blurted out, “Uncle Bowen…”
“Call me Bowen. We’re not even rted. What’s with ‘Uncle Bowen‘ nonsense? I’ve told you to drop it ages ago. Still can’t get used to it?”
Aubree was rendered speechless. She thought, ‘Wasn’t it you who said that since I’m Alvin’s ssmate, I should just call you Uncle Bowen, too?
“You shameless jerk!” Aubree spat through gritted teeth.
Bowen simply beamed, taking it all in stride as he leaned even closer. ‘So, why don’t you want to be my girlfriend? Did you hate it when I kissed you? Was it gross?”
<b>Truth </b>be told, Bowen wasn’t entirely confident he could hold onto the girl in his arms. After all, he still hadn’t dared to tell her the truth that he was “Mr. Quinn.”
Originally, she saw him more as a benefactor and elder figure than a lover. If she ever discovered he was actually “Mr. Quinn” from all those years ago, not to mention whether she’d simply see him as someone to be grateful to Her defenses would shoot up instantly, and she’d be convinced he harbored ulterior motives. She’d want to flee as far away from him as possible.
‘No.‘ Aubree said. Not hate, not disgust. If anything, she even kind of liked it
“Then you do like me, don’t you? Bowen’s voice was low and deeply seductive,ced with a teasing undertone.
Aubree gritted her teeth and firmly mped her mouth shut
Bowen felt a surge of confidence.