chapter 199

---  **Eric kissed her so hard that within just a few seconds, Lucy began to feel breathless.**  "Mmpf…"  Eric pried open her mouth, breaking all her defenses as his tongue urgently tangled with hers. His teeth bit her lips, and his passionate kiss grew hungrier. It was only after a long moment that he finally let her go. Lucy gasped sharply as she finally got to breathe.  "Boss…"  "Nobody told me to kiss you right now. But I wanted to. That night we decorated our house, and I kissed you—nobody had instructed me to do that either. But I still wanted to."  Her cheeks flushed red, and she flustered.  He lifted her chin and narrowed his eyes, his voice husky as he whispered, *"If these aren’t MY feelings, what else are they?"*  She gulped, stunned into silence. His intense gaze made her nervous for some reason.  Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she quivered. "That can’t be true… Why would you take away the earrings from me otherwise?"  He froze.  "A-and when I said Kathy Taylor wasn’t the right woman for you, you defended her so much. You said you’d spoil her, that you’d never leave her, that only she could be your woman. If you thought of *us* as a couple, why would you say those things?"  Eric anxiously wiped her tears. "Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry."  He quickly pulled out the violet earrings he had gifted her from his pocket. "Here. Your earrings."  Lucy bit her lip and looked away. "You took them from me. Why are you showing them to me now?"  Eric’s voice softened with guilt. "I’m sorry. I didn’t take them to hurt you. I thought you shouldn’t keep them anymore because I failed that night."  Lucy blinked. "Failed? At what?"  He pursed his lips. "At understanding you. In the bar, I just wanted to drive that man away. I didn’t like him holding your hand. But I didn’t realize you were scared… As your man, I *should* have noticed. It’s unacceptable that someone else had to point it out. So I took them back."  Her mouth fell open.  *Just because of that?*  "T-That was weighing on you this whole time?"  He nodded.  She facepalmed.  *Ahhh, and here I thought… Damn!*  Lucy put her hands on her hips and faced him. "You thought I was disappointed in you?"  Eric lowered his head, looking crestfallen.  "Aiyaaa…" She cupped his cheeks and lifted his face. "Why is Boss so adorable? I wasn’t disappointed! I could *never* be angry at you. You overthought it! I wasn’t scared because you threatened him—I was afraid because you *caught* me at the bar. I lied about being at Molly’s, and then you saw me there. That’s why I panicked."  Eric blinked. Softly, cautiously, he asked, "Really?"  She nodded emphatically. "En! You didn’t say a word to me on the ride home, and then you took the earrings back. I thought you were so angry that you decided I didn’t deserve them anymore…"  Eric’s eyes widened in horror. He gripped her shoulders, his voice rising slightly. *"Never!* I would *never* be angry at you. I’d never think you don’t deserve them. You deserve *everything.* I didn’t talk because I was disappointed in *myself.* I couldn’t face you—but I wasn’t angry with *you.*"  She stared, stunned. "Even though I lied?"  "Yes."  "Why *wouldn’t* you be angry? Don’t people get mad when they’re lied to?"  He tilted his head. "I’ll never be angry at my woman."  Her cheeks burned. "You—"  *Is this what being spoiled feels like? Am I being pampered by my godly handsome prince?*  "It was more like… I didn’t like seeing you with your friend."  *‘Are you jealous of me, CEO Eric?’*  Eric narrowed his eyes, leaning in until his breath fanned over her lips. Her heart stuttered. His thumb brushed her cheek as he whispered, *"I was jealous of him."*  She froze, staring at him in shock.  "J-Jealous?"  "En. You’ve been spending too much time with him lately." He pulled her waist flush against him, his dark gaze making her shiver. *"You’re my woman. I don’t like it when you smile and talk with another man."*  Her lashes fluttered. The CEO of Wilson Industries—*jealous?* He was the kind of man women would crawl over glass for. The kind who could have anyone he wanted. For *him* to feel threatened by another man… It overwhelmed her. She hadn’t realized she affected him *this* much.  "Lucy…" His voice was a rough murmur against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. *"Don’t meet other men when you have me."*  She bit her lip, his possessiveness making her pulse race.  "B-Boss…"  "Hm?"  "Then… what was the reason you cleaned my house and cooked for me that day?" *There’s something I’m missing.*  "I wanted to show you I’m better than your friend."  "..."  She blinked rapidly.  *Better than Mark Cruise…?*  "I can cook, organize, don’t smoke, and I’m rich. He isn’t. I was proving I’m the better choice."  Lucy wanted to faint.  *My godly handsome prince was trying to compete? There’s no need—I’m already in love with you!*  "Ahhh, Boss, you don’t have to compare yourself to anyone! You’re perfect as you are! You don’t need to prove anything—I *know* you’re the best!"  He froze. A rare, bright gleam of joy lit his eyes. "Really?"  "En!"  "E-even though…" He hesitated. "I don’t understand emotions?"  She gaped. "Of course! Boss, everyone has flaws. That doesn’t erase your goodness. I can’t cook or clean well—does that make *me* a bad person?"  Eric shook his head vehemently. "No. You’re perfect. You don’t need to cook or clean. *I’ll* do everything for you." He said it like a solemn vow.  Her heart squeezed.  *I’m melting. At this rate, I won’t have a heart left!*  "See? You don’t judge me for my flaws. Why would I judge you? It’s wrong! Besides, you’re *trying* to understand emotions. You’re working on your weakness—what more could anyone ask for?"  Warmth flooded his chest, and a soft smile touched his lips. "En."  Lucy nodded, then hesitated.  "So, Boss… The things you said that night…" She swallowed. "W-were you talking about *me?*"  She continued, "When I said that crease woman wasn’t right for you…"  Eric’s words echoed in her mind:  *"She’s mine. She’ll always be mine. I won’t let any man take her. She can be as rude as she wants—I’ll bear it. If she cares about money, I’ll give her everything. If it’s not enough, I’ll earn more. She doesn’t need another man to pamper her—I’ll pamper her endlessly. She’s the only woman I’ll ever accept. If it’s not her, it can’t be anyone else."*  Eric frowned, tilting his head. "Who did you *think* I was talking about?"  "Kathy Taylor?" She coughed, avoiding his eyes.  At first, he just stared. Then, as realization struck, his eyes widened in disbelief.  *"Why would I talk about her? You’re my woman. Kathy Taylor means nothing to me."*  ---Â