The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 155

Burning Hunger.

“I’m taking a two-day break,” Nathaniel informed Gavin. He was loosening his tie; he was clearly impatient as he signed his name on the very last document for the research institute. “Postpone the meetings for the other two companies until I am back.”

“And where are you headed, Sir?” Gavin asked, his brow raising.

“I’m spending time with Serena,” Nathaniel said, glancing at Serena, who was, at the moment, avoiding his gaze but blushing.

“Oh. Of course, Sir.” Gavin smiled. “Family is more important.”

It was already eight in the evening when Nathaniel finished everything. He and Serena both ate in his office.

He closed his laptop and checked his desk to make sure he didn’t forget anything before glancing at Serena. “Let’s go, Love.”

“Um.” Serena still did not look at him. “Okay.”

The kiss they had shared earlier still burned at the back of his mind, its memory settling deep beneath his skin. The taste of her, the way she had softened against him, lingered stubbornly, refusing to fade.

Desire twisted low and tight in his body, unrelenting.

He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.

He had waited too long, lost too much. Tonight, he had no intention of letting hesitation or fear steal another moment from him.

After Serena placed her laptop into her bag, he walked over to her and took her hand. Heading down, they walked hand in hand, all eyes following them.

Their security team drove them out of the facility. Minutes into the drive, Serena tugged on his sleeve gently. She whispered something, but he didn’t hear.

“What is it?” he asked, leaning closer.

Serena’s face turned a shade darker as she leaned closer and whispered, “You must buy protection.”

“Oh.” Nathaniel hissed softly.

He had… strategically forgotten that part.

But what could he do now? Serena asked for responsibility. That was extremely inconvenient for his sibling-delivery plan.

He cleared his throat, slipped an arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek. “Love, the stores are already closed.”

She slowly turned her head toward him, eyes narrowing. “Nathan, what are we? In the eighteenth century?”

He groaned. “…Modern convenience has truly ruined romance.”

“Pull the car over at the nearest NC Pharmacy branch,” he instructed the driver.

Later, their vehicle pulled to a stop. Nathaniel stepped out and walked into one of their pharmacy branches, the staff immediately recognizing him.

“Mr. Thorne, good evening.”

“What can we help you with, Mr. Thorne?”

Nathaniel merely nodded. Then, he scanned the rows of condoms.

Super thin. Check.

Brand currently being questioned for product failure. Check.

Nathaniel picked up a box and examined the back with unsettling seriousness.

Then he turned to the pharmacist and said, “I’m currently operating under budget constraints. Do you happen to have… clearance stock?”

The two pharmacists stared at him.

“Sir,” one of them said slowly, “you own this pharmacy.”

“Exactly,” Nathaniel replied calmly. “I’m simply optimizing company resources.”

But he hoped that one day, Serena would be willing to look past the past and accept their home as part of their future.

When they made it to their suite, Serena wanted to bathe first, but Nathaniel suggested, “How about…” he let out a faint smile, “we go in together?”

Serena’s blush deepened. “Up to you.”

She briskly walked into the bathroom without waiting for his answer.

Nathaniel removed his clothes quickly. He followed her toward the bathroom, every step tightening the coil of restraint he had been holding onto all evening.

The air between them felt heavier now, charged with need.

His gaze lingered on her — the soft curve of her shoulder, the faint tension in her posture, the way she took deep breaths.

He remembered every inch of her. Worse… his body remembered too.

Nathaniel's sex was a hard rod.

For years, he had forced himself to bury this hunger beneath regret and distance. Tonight, standing this close to Serena again and knowing they were going to cross that line, that hunger burned deep.

He wasn’t just anticipating touching her.

He was anticipating reclaiming something he had lost, something he had never stopped wanting.

Nathaniel’s hands settled firmly on her shoulders before he leaned down, his lips grazing her cheek with deliberate heat.

“I’ve been holding myself back for years,” he whispered. “Tonight… I don’t know how much restraint I have left.”

His voice softened. “But I’ll try not to overwhelm you.”

"We can... take it slow."

"How do you feel about... doing it all night?"