A Wrong Surrogate for the CEO-Chapter 84: Confession of Love

Lazarus’s expression was as stoic as always, but deep down, the bodyguard was smiling.

If someone ever told him that a day would come where Curtis Rodney would be head over heels for a woman, Lazarus would have called whoever it was a liar.

But here it was, happening right before him.

Lara had just been discharged from the hospital, and Lazarus was driving them both home. Curtis had spent every waking moment with his wife, so they got discharged together.

And even though the doctors gave them his utmost assurance that everything was fine and Lara was okay, Curtis was still skeptical about his wife’s health.

Which was why he was currently massaging Lara’s legs in the car.

Lara’s eyes drifted close in bliss as Curtis gently massaged her legs, and there was a soft smile on his face at the sounds she was making.

"Oh my God. You’re such a great masseuse. Oh, yes...that place...hmm. So perfect," Lara moaned.

Curtis raised his eyebrows at her.

"Are you sure those are the sounds you want to be making? They could be translated as something else and you know it," he teased.

Lara’s eyes flew open at the implication in his words, and her cheeks burned red.

"What is your problem? I am not sounding like that contrary to what you think. I am just...very appreciative of what you’re doing to my legs," she managed to say, her cheeks flaming as she tried very hard not to glance towards Lazarus.

"Just your legs? My ministration isn’t working for the rest of your body?" he stated nonchalantly, and Lara’s eyes went as wide as saucers.

"Curtis!" she reprimanded.

Curtis’s deep laughter boomed out of his chest and surrounded Lara like a warm, heated and comfortable blanket.

"I was just messing with you, my love. I would not dare taint your innocence with my ravishing words," he winked.

Lara shook her head at him, but there was an indulgent smile on her face.

"You’re so incorrigible," she mused. Curtis leaned down to gently kiss her on the forehead.

"Only for you, baby. Only for you."

Lara fell silent after that, and silence stretched between them. But the silence was very comfortable, and there was no pressure from either of them to fill it.

"Would you like to have some takeout when we get home? Lazarus can pull over and get us some," Curtis suggested after a while.

Lara’s legs were still on his laps, and his hands were running slow circles on them.

"No. I am not hungry. Besides, if I was, it would be nice for you to cook something for me," she said.

Lara had expected him to say no or come up with an excuse, but Curtis nodded smoothly.

"Sure. Tell me what you want, and I’ll whip it up for you," he responded.

Lara beamed.

"Really? You are sure?"

He nodded.

A squeal of excitement slipped past her lips at his reassurance. Suddenly, her non-existent appetite reared its head, and Lara started to list out names of foods she wanted him to make.

Curtis leaned back as he listened to her, and for the first time in a long while, there was peace in his heart.

~~

"Let me introduce you to the star meal of the night," Curtis announced with a flourish.

Lara clapped her hands excitedly as he placed a plate before her, and her eyes were wide with excitement.

Her happiness was so infectious that it made Curtis grin too. His cheeks were hurting from smiling so hard, but he didn’t mind.

Anything that made his wife light up like the sun, was a good thing in his books.

"Mademoiselle, I present to you, pasta!"

Lara’s gasp was so audible that it cut across the entire house, and the look of disappointment that flashed across her face was so hilarious that Curtis could not help but laugh.

"Pasta? Just pasta? I thought you were making some elaborate meal. I mean, you hyped it up a lot and all of that," she mumbled, and her expression looked downcast.

Curtis reached out to hold her chin.

"Hey. Look at me. I promise you, you’re going to love it. It’s not just any pasta, my love. It’s my signature dish. My comfort meal, go on. Try it," he said, trying to convince her to eat the food.

Lara sighed. All the excitement had leaked out of her body, and she didn’t want to eat the food. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

But Curtis was still holding on to her face, and his eyes was gently imploring her to eat the food.

"Try it, baby. You’re going to love it, I promise," he insisted.

Lara sighed again and picked up the fork.

"Just so you know, if I end up hating the food, I am never letting you cook for me again. Ever," she threatened.

Curtis nodded solemnly.

"Anything you wish, my love. Just eat the pasta. It’s getting cold."

And with another resigned sigh, Lara took a bite. And another.

And another.

Her face bloomed as she ate, and before she knew it, she was attacking the meal with renewed gusto.

Curtis let out a big whoop at her reaction and Lara rolled her eyes but continued to eat.

"Oh my God. Oh my freaking goodness. I have never...this is so good. Curtis! How dare you gatekeep this from me for so long? I love it so much," she gushed as she handed him her plate for a second helping.

Ever the proud chef, Curtis gave her more food. Lara ate until she was filled to the brim.

Then she turned to face Curtis.

"You, my darling husband, are the best cook. Your pasta is very exquisite, and I feel kind of expensive now that I am stuffed. Thank you so much, Curtis. The meal meant a lot to me," she said sincerely, and her eyes shone with appreciation.

Curtis smiled at her as he cleared the table.

"You’re welcome, love. Anytime."

Lara said nothing. Her face took on a weird expression as she watched him clear the table, and her heart pounded in her chest.

She called out to him again.

"Curtis?"

"Yes, love?" he responded.

"Look at me," she said softly. Something in her voice made Curtis stop what he was doing.

He turned to hold her gaze.

"I love you, Curtis," Lara whispered.

And the world stopped moving.