Chapter 682

Most men are born with a taste for being challenged; only when you keep them on their toes do they really fall in line. But the moment you start pampering them, putting them on a pedestal, they get cocky–convinced they’re God’s gift to women, as if no one could ever live without them. Otherwise, how else would you explain the sheer number of men who think the world revolves around them?

Katrina mulled it over and had to admit Ivy had a point. “It does seem that way.”

“So, what happened next? Did he reach out again? Did he bring it up himself?” Ivy was so absorbed in Katrina’s story that she’d forgotten her own bad mood.

Katrina nodded. “After dinner, I said goodbye to the old gentleman–he insisted on driving me home in his BMW. I was politely refusing when, out of nowhere, Naylor’s Bentley pulled up. He rolled down the back window, fixed his eyes on me, and told me to get in.”

Ivy grinned, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “If I were you, I’d have gotten in the old man’s car just to piss him off.”

“That’s exactly what I did. I got in the old man’s car.”

Ivy burst out laughing. “What about Mr. Wilson? How did he react?”

“No idea.”

Thinking back to that night, Katrina realized she hadn’t been trying to play games with Naylor. After they’d spent that first night together, he barely contacted her for weeks. Out of pride, she refused to reach out first–after all, what if he’d only wanted a one-night fling? Naylor was never short of women, and Katrina knew she wasn’t the prettiest or the most seductive. Maybe that night had just been about convenience–a need met, nothing more.

A fleeting encounter, no promises made. That was fine. She was free to have dinner with whomever she pleased, to get into any car she liked–she owed him no explanations.

“So, I got in the old man’s car, and he dropped me off at the hospital. The moment he drove off, Naylor’s car pulled up again. I pretended not to see him and headed inside, but then he called me…”

Honestly, Katrina had felt a little hurt and annoyed. If it was just a casual thing, then why was he tailing her like a jealous husband catching his wife cheating?

That night–

Naylor called again. Katrina hesitated for a couple seconds before picking up, her tone cool. “What is it?”

“Are you free tonight?” Naylor got straight to the point.

Katrina’s heart skipped a beat. She’d managed to keep her composure all evening, but the moment those words hit her ears, her resolve melted. They were both adults; everyone knew exactly what that question meant.

“So what if I am? And if I’m not, what then?” Katrina deliberately made things difficult.

Naylor chuckled. “Ms. Lester’s got quite the attitude.”

“I was out of town on business these past few days. Just got back today. I was planning to see you after my dinner, but then I ran into you by chance. And when I called, you lied to me.” He started explaining, out of nowhere, why he’d been so distant lately.

Naylor was a romantic, but never clingy. In his mind, life was split into four neat compartments: parents, career, friends, and love. The last two sometimes switched order, but nothing ever got in the way of the first two. If he ever got married, the “love” compartment would become “wife,” and she’d shoot straight to the top of his priorities. Their little family would take up half his life. But for now, women and romance only claimed a quarter. So when he was busy with work, he wasn’t the kind of man to sneak away for calls, or send cutesy videos, or check in every hour.

What he hadn’t expected was that while he was off on business, his supposed “better half” wasn’t exactly sitting around waiting–she was out on dates with her matchmaking candidate. And not just any candidate–the same old gentleman.

Now that was interesting. For all his past relationships, Naylor had never felt the sting of jealousy like this. And his “rival” was old enough to be his father! That night, he was so distracted he barely tasted his dinner, just wanting to track Katrina down and get some answers.

Meanwhile, Katrina listened to his sudden attempt at explanation, her heart fluttering and her feelings all tangled up. What was this supposed to mean? Was he saying he actually cared about her? If so, why had he disappeared for so long?

She stood there, phone pressed to her ear, not knowing how to respond. Footsteps sounded behind her. She spun around and saw Naylor–phone still at his ear–walking right toward her.

Katrina dropped her phone to her side and eyed him warily. “What do you want? I’m staying at the hospital tonight. I don’t have time.”

Naylor took her hand. “I’ll bring you back later tonight.”

Katrina’s face flushed with shock. What did that mean? Was he really so shameless? Did he plan to take her home, sleep with her, then drop her back off–like she was some kind of convenience?

She yanked her hand away, glaring daggers at him.

Naylor looked genuinely puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Katrina blurted out, “Didn’t you bring a girl along on your business trip? No wonder you’re so impatient now that you’re back.”