Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 542

We spent too long on the road, and it was already 11:00 p.m. when I reached home. I politely thanked Nicholas and got out of the car, waiting for him to leave. However, he also got out of the car.

"Let me walk you in."

I glanced up at the short distance ahead, wondering what there was to walk me in. It wouldn't even take 20 steps to reach the villa's entrance.

Just as I was about to decline, Nicholas had already started walking. Left with no choice, I could only follow behind him. He seemed more familiar with this path than I was.

He wasn't walking fast, but it didn't even take him a minute to cover the 20 steps.

"Open the door. I'll watch you go in," he said, stopping at my front door with one hand casually in his pocket.

"Fine." I lowered my head to unlock the door and added, "Tell Wendy to bring Tabitha back tomorrow night. She'll sleep with me."

"Goodbye."

I said my goodbyes and was about to close the door when a few fingers suddenly slipped through the crack. The door was pulled open a little.

The night wind tousled Nicholas' hair, but he didn't seem to notice. He stood outside with a hopeful expression.

"Can I stay here tonight? I'm afraid I won't be able to drive back, and something might happen on the way." Nicholas' voice was hoarse.

"Still upset?" I asked, looking away as I clutched the strap of my purse. My tone was indifferent.

"Yeah. I am," he admitted bluntly.

"You sure value your life," I said with a forced smile, stepping out of the doorway. "Move aside. I'll drive you home."

"Then call Ms. Gardner to come get you."

"Her?" Nicholas took a step further into the house. "She's not with me anymore."

"Nicholas!" I snapped, grabbing the hem of his shirt to stop him.

He turned to face me, his dark eyes gleaming. "Just give me a guest room. I promise I'll leave by dawn. I have an important meeting in the morning—it can't be delayed."

"Then I'll call Claudia—"

Before I could finish, Nicholas suddenly cupped my face with both hands, pulling me toward him. His face grew larger in front of me, until his nose brushed against mine, stopping just short.

His uneven breaths fanned over my cheeks as he spoke. "I promised to respect you. I won't touch you without your permission. But if you bring up irrelevant people again, you're giving me a chance to kiss you. And I won't hold back."