After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 215

Catherine pushed open the door and stopped just outside Lawrence’s room, peeking her head in. He was sitting in his armchair, eyes fixed on his iPad, looking every bit the part of someone deep in work.

Lawrence glanced up, his gaze steady and unreadable. “You’re still up?”

She mumbled under her breath. They’d come home together, so why wasn’t he even thinking about sleeping in the same bed?

“I’m... I’m scared,” Catherine blurted out, grabbing the first excuse she could think of. Without waiting for a reply, she marched inside, flopped onto his bed, and pulled the covers around herself. “I want to sleep with you.”

She’d already used this weak excuse once before, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Lawrence looked at her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, you go ahead and sleep. I’ll just finish up these documents.” His gaze lingered on her, then drifted back to his iPad.

“You’re still working? It’s so late,” Catherine complained, her voice full of sleepy annoyance.

“It’s your dad’s company’s merger contract. I want to look it over again,” he replied quietly.

But the truth was, his iPad screen was filled with English text—a project plan for Nexus Dynamics’ global expansion, not her father’s contract.

He tried to get back to work, but he could feel Catherine’s disappointment hanging heavy in the room. Finally, he set the iPad aside and walked over to the bed.

Catherine reached out and tugged at his shirt, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “Honey, can you just stay and sleep with me?”

She looked so small and earnest, like a kitten waiting for someone to pet her. Lawrence’s heart softened. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Be good. Try to sleep. I’ll work in the study for a bit.”

“But—” Catherine started, but he bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll bring you some warm milk to help you sleep.”

Catherine watched him, feeling a sweet ache in her chest. Even though her little scheme hadn’t worked, she couldn’t bring herself to be upset. He was busy with something important for her family, and she didn’t want to get in his way.

Sleepiness crept up on her, gentle and natural. Soon enough, her eyes closed and she drifted off, her breathing slow and even.

Lawrence noticed when her breaths deepened. He set his iPad aside and let out a quiet sigh, glancing at her with eyes dark and intense, a fire burning quietly beneath the surface.

He tucked the blanket around her, adjusted the air conditioner to a comfortable temperature, and slipped out of the room, heading toward her bedroom.

***

The next morning, Catherine came downstairs and was instantly met with the delicious smell of breakfast. Susan was already in the kitchen, humming as she prepared their meal.