Their gazes met in the murky glow of the bathroom.
And Jarrod saw the undisguised hatred in Nicoleâs eyes.
The way she looked at him, it was as if she wanted to tear his flesh off his bones.
It was only then that Jarrod realized this was the real Nicole, no disguise or pretense.
Nicoleâs loathing for Jarrod was as undiluted and resolute as it could be, an engulfing fire that left no space for uncertainty.
Jarrodâs smirk was like a beacon of detached amusement, illuminating his lips with a mix of charm and mischief.
âWell⦠Is that the kind of Look you give someone you want to kill?â
Nicole was past the point of mincing words.
It wasnât like Jarrod didnât know she hated him.
âWhat else could it be?â Nicole retorted coldly.
âDo you expect me to look at you affectionately as if Iâm in love with you? Iâm in love with the thought of you being six feet under.
â
Jarrod reached out and stroked her chin with his index finger.
He frowned slightly and said, âYou are always defiant.
Tell me.
How would you like to be punished?â
Nicole brushed off his hand and sneered, âDo you think you can still intimidate me? Iâd better die sooner than yield to a man like you.
â
âReally?â Jarrod replied, his voice taking on a darker hue.
He brought her hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.
âNicole, donât provoke me.
You know the consequences,â he said softly, a hint of threat in his voice.
But Nicole didnât show any signs of fear.
Instead, she got angrier and snapped, âWhat do you think youâre doing?â
âQuenching my thirst,â Jarrod replied bluntly.
He wasnât after her assistance in bathing him.
Being a man with such fierce desires, years of abstinence were taking their toll.
He needed to quench his thirst, one way or another.
The water temperature in the bathtub was still high, but Jarrodâs body was even hotter.
It was like a furnace that threatened to consume them both.
Nicole was taken aback for a moment.
She didnât expect him to say such a thing shamelessly.
She felt so disgusted that she wanted to throw up.
Jarrod held her hand even tighter and said in a hoarse and seductive voice, âJust stay still.
I wonât enter you.
â
The tension in the bathroom grew thicker.
Nicole was like a puppet, following Jarrodâs words.
Fortunately, he kept his promise and did not enter her.
A low growl broke out from his throat.
He was so overwhelmed by his desire that he couldnât help biting her neck gently.
He ki*sed her hair and whispered softly, âLetâs not fight anymore.
You donât have to love me back.
But please, allow me to love and cherish you.
Letâs give us a shot.
â
Nicole was utterly shocked.
How could Jarrod be so ridiculous? She was at a loss for words for a moment.
Jarrod thought she took in his words and added in a soothing tone, âNicole, Listen to me.
I will love you the way you Loved me before.
Just give me a chance to show it to you.
We still have a long life ahead of us.
We can take it one step at a time.
â
With a gentleness that was unlike him, Jarrod made an earnest plea to Nicole.
Nicole couldnât help but chuckle at his words.
Long life? One step at a time? Where on earth did Jarrod get the audacity to say these words? After trampling on her dignity, belittling her self-worth, and plotting to kill her family, why didnât it seem easy for him to say these things? How dare he coax her like this!
Nicoleâs silence led Jarrod to believe she was considering his words.
He didnât hold her that tightly but embraced her from behind, inhaling her scent.
Jarrod dreaded the thought of losing Nicole.
Aware of her intent to harm him, he was still drawn to her irresistibly.
Jarrod was clueless about love.
Only in Nicoleâs presence did he sense it, but he missed it.
He admitted his mistakes and the consequences, yet couldnât bear to release Nicole.
He was ruthless.
Only death could hinder his persistence.
Nicoleâs love wasnât necessary for him.
His love for her was enough.