Linda was incredibly tactful. He smoothly raised the privacy partition between the front and back seats, sealing the two of them in their own world.
Shrouded in absolute privacy, Seth finally let his restraint slip.
Noreen was still on edge, her high-strung nerves unraveling inch by inch under his deep, exploratory invasion.
An intoxicating, overwhelmingly masculine scent enveloped her from every angle.
Eventually, Noreen lost herself completely in the sensation, melting into a soft puddle against his chest.
She was utterly pliant.
He was burning hot.
Both of them were gasping for air.
Even drowning in undeniable lust, Seth maintained his composure, holding himself back from crossing the final line.
It was a miracle her icy walls had thawed enough for her to stop pushing him away and finally let him in.
Even if it was just a tiny crack, he was deeply satisfied.
Even if his desire for her was driving him absolutely insane, he would endure it.
Seth gathered her securely into his arms. Her ear rested flush against his scorching chest, amplifying the powerful thud of his heartbeat.
Ba-thump. Ba-thump.
It was racing.
Gradually, it synchronized perfectly with the frantic rhythm of her own heart.
She didn't dare move a muscle, choosing instead to lie perfectly still in his embrace.
Because she was acutely aware of the rock-hard tension in his body, and she knew exactly how much agony it was costing him to hold back.
Just as the seductive tension peaked, the smoothly gliding car slammed on the brakes.
Thank God Seth had her locked in his arms, ensuring she didn't get tossed around at all.
However, his arm violently slammed into the partition with a heavy, sickening thud.
After stabilizing them both, his immediate reflex was to check if she was hurt.
Noreen shook her head, confirming she was fine.
In the front, Linda sounded totally panicked as he scrambled to explain. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Harcourt! A cat just bolted right out into the street..."
It was a tiny, month-old orange-and-white kitten. It had likely been separated from its mother, which explained why it was blindly darting across a busy highway.
When Noreen got out of the car to check, the little furball rubbed affectionately against her ankles, mewing pitifully. It was heartbreakingly cute.
A kitten this tiny had virtually zero chance of surviving out here without its mother.
Standing nearby, Linda nearly dropped his jaw.
Was this seriously the same cold, ruthless, and terrifying boss he worked for?
Claire called right as Noreen was heading home.
Still riding in Seth's car.
He had absolutely insisted on dropping her off.
The only downside was that the kitten was acting like a third wheel in their relationship.
Noreen's entire focus was glued to the cat.
Terrified by the unfamiliar environment, the tiny creature kept pawing frantically at the carrier, crying out with pathetic little meows.
Unable to bear it, Noreen unzipped the bag, took the kitten out, and cradled it against her chest for the rest of the ride.
The kitten seemed to inherently trust her, curling up obediently in her embrace, though it still let out an occasional squeak.
Noreen responded with soft, soothing words, calming the little guy down.
Watching the scene unfold, Seth couldn't hold back a fond smile.
Catching him out of the corner of her eye, Noreen shot him a thoroughly puzzled look.

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