Chapter 652

Aaron’s gaze locked on Nate. “I’ll stay at a hotel. I just came to check on you.”

Lena let out a relieved breath. “Oh, good. Did you book one yet? If not, I can—”

“No need,” Aaron cut her off. “You two sit. We need to talk.” His tone was pure authority—like some family elder calling the shots—even though he was only a year older than her.

Nate caught on instantly. After sitting down, he took Lena’s hand, his voice calm but firm. “Lena and I are in a serious relationship, with marriage as the goal.”

Aaron didn’t even blink. “And has she agreed to marry you?”

Nate glanced at Lena. “Not yet.”

Lena jumped in. “I’ve liked him since school. If he wants to marry me, my answer’s yes.”

Aaron stayed silent, his expression unreadable, but the tension in the room felt suffocating.

“Mr. Ace,” Nate said, his gaze steady. “You can be sure—if Lena agrees, I’ll visit Mr. and Mrs. Lane to make everything official.”

Lena could feel the pressure closing in on Nate. If she’d known the night would spiral like this, she’d have never brought him over. She’d started dating Nate just for fun—not to end up talking about marriage. But now, it felt like she was accidentally shoving him into a corner.

Still, Nate’s calm confidence surprised her. Standing his ground in front of Aaron? That took guts.

“Uncle Aaron,” Lena chimed in, trying to ease the tension, “you’re only a year older than me. Stop acting like some strict elder. Nate and I are just dating, okay? No need to rush into meeting parents or talking marriage.”

“So, what you’re saying is, he’s not your only option?”

The question hit her like a ton of bricks. Lena nearly choked but managed to nod. She wasn’t about to make sweeping promises—not to Nate, not in front of Aaron. Plus, the last thing she needed was Aaron reporting back to her mom. “Exactly. If he doesn’t treat me right, I won’t stick around.”

“I’d never let that happen,” Nate said, his tone steady and unshakable. “Since I’ve chosen Lena, I’ll make sure she’s happy. Always.”

His response was so perfect it left no room for doubt—or escape. The message was clear: Lena wouldn’t get the chance to leave him.

Aaron gave a faint nod as he stood. “I’ll leave you two, then.” His tone was polite but carried an unmistakable distance.

“Uncle Aaron, don’t go blabbing about tonight, okay? I’ll treat you to dinner another time,” Lena called after him, trying to smooth things over.

Aaron frowned slightly, then replied with a single word: “Fine.”

As the door clicked shut behind him, Lena let out a long, relieved sigh. But when she turned back around, Nate’s gaze was locked on her, intense and unyielding.

“Why are you looking at me like that? He really is my uncle,” Lena said, her tone defensive.

“I know,” Nate replied evenly. “He cares about you a lot.”

Lena grabbed his hand, teasing, “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of my uncle now?”

“Mm,” Nate hummed, not even pretending to deny it.

She laughed, light and teasing. “Nate, you’re so petty—”

Her words were cut off as he pulled her close, his lips crashing into hers. The kiss was fiery, possessive, and so intense it left her dizzy. The heat of his kiss stirred something deep inside her, and the passion escalated so quickly it left her breathless.

Before she knew it, they’d gone from the couch to the bathroom, and then to the bedroom. Nate, always so composed and polished, shed every ounce of restraint. His desire was overwhelming, consuming her completely. Clearly, the hotel stunt had struck a nerve. Or maybe it was Aaron’s surprise visit that tipped him over the edge, pouring fuel on the fire of his possessiveness.

When it came to guys—human or animal—they all had that one defining trait: they didn’t share.

“Did you come here tonight just for me?” Lena asked, her voice soft, her body completely melted against Nate’s chest after the whirlwind of their night.

“I was afraid if I waited any longer, someone else might take my girlfriend,” Nate murmured, pressing a kiss to her hair. Then, his voice dipped, tender but firm. “Lena, come with me overseas, okay?”