193 A Family Outing


    Through the rising steam, Natalie caught the smoldering fire still burning in Baron’s eyes, <b>so </b>hot it made her fingertips tremble.


    A low chuckle rumbled from his throat, damp breath brushing the back of her car. “Keep staring, and that cold shower will have been for nothing.”


    “Baron!”


    Natalie shoved him away and bolted out of the room. But that flushed face and yful scowl of hers were more than enough to amuse him.


    He swallowed hard, resigned, dried himself off, and changed clothes before stepping out of the guest room.


    Natalie was already in the living room, ying with the two children.


    Susie and Sean adored her. With their mommy finally free from Baron’s constant presence, the two of them hurried to share their opinions on which kindergarten they wanted.


    Natalie listened to their chatter patiently, never once showing annoyance.


    This was the warmth of family she’d been missing all along.


    Seeing her gentle expression, Susie quickly pulled out her chocte.


    “Mommy, have some. Daddy had this specially made so it won’t hurt my teeth. Try it.“.


    “Mommy, what do you like? I’ll buy it for you.”


    Sean refused to be outdone.


    Natalie’s heart warmed at the sight of them.


    “No need. After dinner, Mommy and Daddy will take you to the mall, okay? Mommy hasn’t given you any gifts yet. Today you can pick whatever you want, and Mommy will pay.”


    Susie and Sean froze in surprise.


    They’d never gone to a mall before.


    On the ind, there was no chance. And once they came here, everything they needed was always arranged for them. Nothing wascking, so shopping had never crossed their minds.


    Hearing Natalie’s words now, the two of them lit up.


    “Really, Mommy? We can actually pick for ourselves?”


    “Of course<b>!</b>”


    “Then after shopping, can <b>we </b>go to the amusement park? I saw one on TV, it looked so fun!”


    Susie chimed in as well.


    Even though Baron had built a private amusement park for her on the ind, it had always just been her and her brother. It wasn’t much fun alone.


    Sean perked up at her suggestion.


    “Mommy, don’t clear it out just for us, okay? We want to y with other kids <i>too</i>.”


    The eagerness in their eyes struck Natalie. She realized that no matter how wealthy their lives had been, without their parents‘pany, they hadn’t truly been happy.


    And in this, both she and Baron had fallen short.


    Not that she meant to criticize him. After all, it wasn’t easy for one man to raise two children this well. She simply saw what theycked and wanted to make up for it.


    “Alright! Whatever you two want today, Mommy will say yes.”


    “Yay! Mommy’s the best!”


    “Mommy, I love you <i>so </i>much!”


    One on each side, the children kissed her cheeks. <fn339a> Official source is find?novel</fn339a>


    From the doorway, Baron watched the three of them, his eyes filled with rmth andughter.


    These were the people he would protect with his life.


    As long as they were happy, everything was worth it.


    “Shall we eat first?”


    He stepped into the room at just the right moment.


    Natalie nced at him, neatly dressed now, but her mind betrayed her with the memory of the sight she’d just witnessed–steamy, vivid, and impossible to shake.


    Her cheeks heated, and <b>she </b>quickly turned away, afraid he might notice.


    Baron pretended not to.


    The children skipped happily toward the dining room.


    As Natalie rose, she twisted her ankle slightly.


    She cried out, instinctively reaching for support–only to realize what she’d grabbed didn’t feel quite right.


    Looking up, she saw Baron staring at her with barely restrained frustration, like a wronged golden retriever.


    Then she nced down at where her hand was, and her face med red.


    Baron let out a low groan, his whole body tensing.


    <i>Really</i><i>? </i>


    He had just taken a cold shower!


    If she wasn’t going to give him relief, why keep provoking him?


    “Natalie, are you doing this on purpose?”


    His voice was hoarse<i>, </i>his eyes stormy with desire.


    Natalie didn’t doubt for a second that he’d throw her over his shoulder and carry her straight into the bedroom.


    Sheughed sheepishly, quickly snatching her hand back.


    That scorching heat made her cheeks burn even more.


    The children blinked at them in confusion.


    “Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing?”