Chapter 20

Stella felt her heart skip a beat. He was slowly becoming the Rowan she knew—possessive and coddling. The sophisticated and aloof image he presented outside was a facade. But if he weren’t like this, they wouldn’t have been entangled together until the very end in her past life.

Rowan had expected her to be scared by his words, but instead, Stella smiled. She whispered those last words in his ear. They were light as the wind, yet filled with seduction, stirring a familiar wave of heat within him.

Blood rushed through his body, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, barely containing himself before he lost control. He released his hand from her eyes and pulled her into his arms. He grabbed the jacket he had unzipped earlier, adjusted it, and pulled the zipper back up. His fingers glided through her silky hair, tucking it behind her shoulder to reveal her stunning, delicate face. Then, he cupped her cheeks and scolded lightly, "How are you not embarrassed?"

For an instant, he wondered if she had said those things to Randy before, as it came so naturally to her. Any other woman would’ve been too nervous to look at him. However, Stella merely blinked at him intently. "Why be embarrassed when you’re at home? Besides, it’s not like anyone else is present."

Rowan’s gaze flickered. "You don’t think I’m scary like this?" After all, he had suppressed himself for far too long. He had no idea what this long- restrained desire would lead him to say or do. Shouldn’t she be afraid of him and want to push him away?

Instead, she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, tilting her head as she looked at him. "Desire is natural. After all, you’re feeling this way because you like me. Since I like you too, why would I be scared?"

Rowan narrowed his eyes slowly. She was far scarier than he was. She acted so well that she didn’t hesitate or waver in the slightest, even when she needed to give herself to him.

Then, Stella asked curiously, "But you said we should get married right now. It’s almost midnight. How are we supposed to do that?"

He chuckled and responded, "As long as you’re willing to marry me, we can do it anytime." That was when she truly understood what it meant to be a wealthy, domineering CEO—no! A future domineering CEO, to be exact.

Rowan simply made a few phone calls, and an hour later, bags filled with clothes and accessories piled up, taking over the living room. He apologized as he stroked her head. "It’s too late now, so I’ll send the additional items over tomorrow. These were chosen based on what you used to like. Take a look and find something to change into for the photos later."

In the meantime, Rowan had changed into a silver-gray suit. He seemed to like the color. Stella noticed that his bedsheets, rugs, and drapes were all silver. Even his toiletries were custom-made from silver. In addition, even the colored items in his space had a hint of silver.

Stella rummaged through the bag and found a dress tie the same shade. She put it on without hesitation. Now, they looked like a matching couple. She spun around in front of him and asked, "Do I look good?"

Rowan sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, his deep eyes fixed on her. "You look beautiful." The silver-white tie clip wrapped around his neck lay like a shimmering little star.

He used to stargaze together as children. He pointed to the sky and told her, "Stella, look at that star. It’s beautiful and looks just like you." But a young Stella back then had scowled at him and scolded, "You’re so dumb! Stars aren’t silver!" He chuckled at the memory. Then, he leaned forward, took her wrist, and pulled her onto his lap. His arms tightened around her waist as he lowered his head to kiss her.

"You look beautiful in anything," he murmured against her lips.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and his brow furrowed slightly. They had been interrupted so many times tonight; none of their kisses had lasted more than a few seconds. And to him, that didn’t count at all.