<b>Chapter </b><b>232</b><b>: </b>Hidden Desires


    Chapter 232: Hidden Desires


    (Olivia’s POV)


    Connor Rivers cupped my slender neck in his palm, his touch sending shivers down my spine. His dark,


    soulful eyes gazed down at me with an intensity that made my heart race. Our breaths mingled in the <fn5623> Readplete version only at find?novel</fn5623>


    small space between us as he spoke, his voice slightly hoarse with emotion.


    “I don’t need what?”


    I swallowed hard, feeling the warmth of his hand against my skin. “You <i>know </i>perfectly well,” I retorted


    quietly, trying to maintain some semnce ofposure.


    Connor gently raised my chin with his fingers,pelling me to meet his intense gaze. The blue of his


    eyes was as deep and mysterious as the ocean at midnight, drawing me in despite my resistance.


    “I want to hear you say it,” he insisted, his thumb tracing small circles on my jawline.


    I hesitated, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny. Finally, I murmured, “You don’t need to worry that I’ll fall <b>in </b>


    love with someone else.”


    A soft chuckle escaped Connor’s lips, his usually stern features softening with tenderness. The sound


    warmed something deep inside me, making my pulse quicken.


    “Then do you worry that I’ll fall in love with someone else?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.


    My mind instantly shed back to when Miranda ckwood had returned. The jealousy I’d felt then had been overwhelming, though I’d tried desperately to hide it. The memory made my stomach clench


    ufortably.


    I shook my head, not quite meeting his eyes. “No,” I lied, the word tasting bitter on my tongue.


    Connor yfully pinched my cheeks, creating small dimples that he traced with his fingertips. His touch


    was gentle but insistent, making it impossible to maintain my facade.


    “I don’t like that answer. Say it again,” hemanded softly, a yful glint in his eyes.


    I tried to turn away, but Connor firmly turned my face back toward him. His persistence was both frustrating and endearing.


    “I was worried and I was jealous, are you satisfied now?<b>” </b>I finally admitted, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.


    Connor smiled, clearly pleased with my confession. The satisfaction in his expression was almost infuriating, but I couldn’t stay annoyed when he looked at me like that.


    He leaned in for another kiss, this one more forceful and demanding than thest. His tongue parted my lips, and our mouths met in a passionate embrace that made my knees weak. I felt breathless, my body responding to his touch with a desire that frightened me with its intensity.


    Chapter 232 Hidden Desires


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    My hands found their way to his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt. Every point <b>where </b>our bodies connected seemed to burn with an electric current that threatened to consume us both.


    As we were lost in the passionate kiss, the doorbell suddenly rang, the sharp sound cutting through the


    haze of desire. We paused, both breathing heavily.


    I reluctantly pulled away, trying to regain myposure. “I’ll get the door,” <b>I </b>said, smoothing my hair with trembling fingers.


    The lust in Connor’s dark eyes was obvious as he watched me step back. His gaze followed my every


    movement, making me acutely aware of my body.


    I walked to the door, checking the electronic screen. My stepmother Natalie Winters‘ face appeared, her expression pleasant but concerned.


    “Livvy, are you home?” her voice came through the inte.


    I whirled around to look at Connor, frantically signaling him to hide, but he just looked back at me with an amused expression. He made no move to conceal himself.


    “Natalie, just a moment<b>,</b>” <b>I </b>spoke into the inte, my voice higher than normal.


    I turned back to Connor, pushing him toward the bedroom with both hands against his chest. “My stepmother is here, you have to hide in the bedroom.”


    Connor let me push him, a yful look on his face as he backed up slowly. He seemed to be enjoying my


    panic far too much.


    “Just bear with it, don’t make a sound,” I whispered urgently, half in and half out of the bedroom doorway.


    Connor stared at me without a word, his eyes dancing with mischief. I closed the door firmly, taking a deep breath topose myself before opening the front door for Natalie.


    She stood outside with a Moonlight Thermal Container in her hands, a kind smile on her face. Her honey–blonde hair was perfectly styled, and she wore a casual but elegant outfit that suited her status as Luna of the Winters pack.


    “Livvy, I called you but you didn’t answer. Have you eaten? I made you your favorite Natalie’s Healing Bone Broth, and some Natalie’s Herb–Crusted Venison,” she said, her voice warm with maternal concern.


    I let her in, watching as she ced the thermal container on the table and began setting out the food. The rich aroma of herbs and venison filled the apartment.


    “Even if you’re busy, you have to remember to eat,” she admonished gently.


    “Thank you, Natalie,” I responded, genuinely touched by her thoughtfulness despite my anxiety about Connor hiding in the bedroom.


    As I began to eat<b>, </b>trying to act normal, Natalie suddenly tilted her head and looked at me with concern. “Why is your face <b>so </b>red?”


    < Chapter 232 Hidden Desires


    I coughed, nearly choking on a piece of venison. Natalie immediately patted my back..


    “Take it easy,” she said gently. She ced her cool hand on my forehead, her brow furrowing with worry. “A little hot, do you have a fever? Should I take you to the hospital?”


    I stammered, “I don’t have a fever.” My heart was racing, and I prayed Connor wouldn’t make any noise that


    might give away his presence.


    “Then why is your face so red and hot? Are you not feeling well?” Natalie persisted, her maternal instincts clearly on high alert.


    I touched my cheeks, realizing that they were indeed burning hot. The lingering effects of Connor’s passionate kisses were all too visible.


    “I’m really fine,” I insisted, trying to sound convincing.


    Natalie was still worried, her eyes scanning my face. “Do you have a thermometer? You live here alone, who will take care of you if something happens? I’ll find a caretaker toe over.”


    “No need, Natalie, Evelyn lives with me,” I quickly replied, desperate to dissuade her from spending more


    time here.


    Natalie shook her head, not convinced. “Evelyn is good at protection, so I’m not worried, but she’s not good at daily life, so I still need a proper caretaker.”


    I argued, “I have Dorothy Jenkins whoes to make meals, she’s out buying groceries right now, she’ll be back soon.” I silently prayed that Dorothy would indeed return soon to help diffuse this situation.


    Just then, as if summoned by my thoughts, the door opened and Dorothy Jenkins walked in with bags of groceries. She stopped short, surprised to see Natalie standing in the kitchen.


    “This is my stepmother,” I quickly introduced, relief washing over me.


    Dorothy greeted her with a respectful nod. “Hello, ma’am.”


    Natalie nodded politely in return, her attention momentarily diverted from my flushed appearance.


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