<b>Chapter </b>31


    Seth was far too close, his breath hot against her ear.


    A silent provocation.


    Normally, Noreen would have melted halfway at this point.


    But tonight, she felt nothing. In fact, a wave of revulsion crept over her.


    She reached out, trying to push him away.


    But the moment her hand touched his chest, he tilted his head and kissed her.


    It was sudden and unguarded–a kiss she didn’t have time to dodge, one thatnded squarely and unrelenting.


    Once, she’d been addicted to kissing Seth. She used to crave it, lose herself in it.


    Seth was the picture of restraint–never smoked, never drank.


    Kissing him had always felt like tumbling into a mint–scented morning mist, intoxicating and fresh.


    But this time, before he could deepen the kiss, Noreen turned her face away.


    Seth didn’t seem to notice her withdrawal. His lips grazed the shell of her ear, warm breath sending shivers down her spine.


    “Is it over?” he murmured, his voice low and hot.


    Pressed so close together, Noreen could feel his body’s response.


    Had Bianca not been enough for him these days?


    Seth finally sensed her detachment. His hand tightened at her waist, pinning her against the dining table.


    They were closer than ever.


    “If you won’t answer, I’ll just check for myself,” he warned, his hand slipping lower along her waist.


    Noreen caught his wrist, only then realizing what he meant–he was asking if her period was over.


    She opened her mouth to answer, but just then, Seth’s phone rang.


    The sharp ringtone shattered the quiet of the room.


    172


    12:01


    Noreen instantly recognized it as his private line.


    Without hesitation, Seth pulled out his phone.


    She saw the caller ID: Bianca.


    Almost in defiance, Noreen grabbed the hand holding his phone, rose up on tiptoe, and pressed her lips to his.


    This time, it was Seth who turned away.


    “Don’t,” he said sharply.


    “I thought you wanted it?” she challenged, her meaning clear.


    Supposedly, when a man’s desire takes over, he forgets everything else–every person, every obligation.


    She wanted to test that, to see if it was true.


    Seth didn’t disappoint.


    He pushed her away, decisively, and answered Bianca’s call.


    In that moment, all the strength and strategies Noreen possessed drained out of her.


    She leaned against the table, watching him turn away and calmly answer the phone, “What is it?”


    “I’ll be right there.”


    He ended the call, strode over to the couch, grabbed his jacket from the armrest, and walked out the door.


    Not once did he look back at her.


    The door closed. For a long, long time, Noreen didn’t move.


    She told herself, it’s fine. He’s left her behind before; this wasn’t new.


    She picked up her phone and changed the smart lock code on her app, then stared out the window.


    Of course, the sun wasn’t going to rise in the west.


    Later that night, Bianca personally walked Seth to the parking lot.


    “Seth, thank you so much for tonight. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”


    “It was nothing,” he replied.


    “It might be nothing to you, but to me, it meant everything!” Bianca’s voice


    trembled–she was clearly shaken by what had just happened. “If you hadn’t been there, my mom might have-”


    “But she’s okay now. Don’t scare yourself with what–ifs,” Seth reassured her, his tone steady.


    Bianca drewfort from his calmness. “I just hope the test results are good.”


    “I’ve spoken to the hospital staff. If you need anything, just talk to Dean Grayson,” Seth said, making sure everything was arranged.


    “Thank you, Seth.” Bianca thanked him once again, her gratitude sincere.