Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Kids with autism can be like that, savants in one area but struggle mightily in others,

It was a tough call that Brian made back then to send the nearly helpless Natalie to a boarding school and leave her to fend for herself,

When Brian pushed for it, nobody else seemed inclined to argue. They just let her go.

Natalie’s thoughts drifted to those past events. And a hint of resentment stirred inside.

Brian turned off the faucet, noticing the shadow of discontent on her face.

Their eyes met, and with a scowl, he pulled her over to the stove. Standing behind her, he guided her spatula–holding hand with his own, reigniting the flame to flip the steak.

The pan sizzled and crackled, yet not a single drop of oil reached Natalie’s hand.

She tilted her head slightly, glancing at Brian, who knitted his brows, one hand instinctively shielding her while the other flipped the steak. His expression was sour enough to curdle milk.

Catching Natalie’s gaze, he looked down at her, his eyes softening.

“How do you like your steak?” he asked in a low voice.

“The same as yours.” Natalie replied, smiling.

After turning off the heat, Brian sliced a small piece with the chef’s knife and brought it to Natalie’s lips, saying, “Try this.”

Natalie blew on the steaming steak carefully before taking a cautious bite. It was still scalding

hot.

Brian set down the knife, leaning on the counter beside her, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched her struggle with the hot morsel, then leaned in closer.

“You can’t taste properly, yet you won’t admit you’re a klutz.”

His cold lips met hers as he spoke.

Natalie started to lean back, but Brian caught her, prevented her from bumping into the hot

stove, and lifted her onto the clean countertop.

“I should think of a proper punishment for you today,” he murmured, slowly untangling the black apron from his torso. Chewing on the steak, he added softly, “You’d learn to stay out of the

kitchen.”

Flushed, whether from the kiss or the heat, Natalie pouted slightly. “I can’t do anything. Are you going to take care of me forever?”

“I’ve been doing it for over a decade,” Brian chuckled, thinking he wanted to keep caring for her and keeping her safe in the palm of his hand, with no escape.

Chapter 229

Perched on the meter–high countertop, Natalie couldn’t even reach Brian’s ear. He finished his bite and dipped his head to peck her lips.

A blush crept onto Natalie’s face as she looked up at him. She was about to speak when Brian leaned down again, sealing her words with another kiss. He had said he would punish her and intended to follow through.

A familiar yet somewhat strange warmth spread through Natalie.

Brian wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her onto the nearby dining table, their passionate embrace scattering clothes all around.

“Bri…” she whispered, her arms encircling his neck.

“Hmm?” Brian looked at her, eyes burning with restrained desire, waiting for her to welcome him.

The table underneath was hard and made Natalie uncomfortable, and with a flushed face, she whispered, “Can we move to the bed?”

Brian paused a little and then scooped her up in his arms.