Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 111

Stephanie could clearly feel the hard planes of his abs beneath her palm...

She squeezed her eyes shut, her cheeks burning.

Jonathan looked down at her. "So into me you're blushing?"

Stephanie stammered, "...Of course not."

Jonathan lowered his head, his face hovering so close their lips almost touched, but he didn't kiss her.

He laced his fingers with hers, their hands clasped tightly. "You women love to play coy."

The proximity was deadly.

Stephanie felt her heart leap into her throat. She lowered her gaze, suddenly wishing he would just kiss her.

What was this, anyway? This back-and-forth of almost kissing.

But soon, a sliver of reason returned. She tried to pull back. "Jonathan..."

Jonathan pressed a finger to her lips. "Call me hubby."

"..." Weren't they a long way from that level of intimacy?

Stephanie bit her lip, deciding to seize control of the situation. "But from where I'm standing, it really seems like you're the one who's interested in me."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

His deep eyes stared at her, intrigued. "Trying to turn the tables on me?"

Stephanie was speechless. How had this suddenly become her turning the tables?

Jonathan's voice was low and deep, his tone like a lover's whisper. "If you're really this into me, then don't ever mention the word divorce again. Otherwise..."

He gently tickled her palm. "I'll think you're just playing hard to get."

Stephanie was bewildered. "?"

His warm breath swept across her face, and the hand on her waist tightened abruptly.

Stephanie's slender frame was forced against Jonathan's broad chest.

She let out a soft gasp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist.

Due to the momentum, the corner of her lips brushed against his shoulder. Half an inch more, and she would have kissed his neck.

Stephanie stared at the message.

She glanced at it once more, then exited the app.

She didn't reply.

She changed into her pajamas and lay down in bed.

Thinking back on what just happened, she felt a strange sense of unreality.

Did she really seem like she was interested in Jonathan?

Who was really turning the tables on whom?

Her heart seemed to be beating faster and faster.

Downstairs, Jonathan fiddled with his phone for a moment. When no reply came, he looked up and saw the light in the third-floor bedroom go out.

He fell into a bewildered silence.

He gently scratched his brow. Had he bought a house that was a little too big?