The Stranger I Married-Chapter 34: You’re a romantic

The day passed slowly, the quiet of the mansion pressing down on Ella as she roamed its endless halls. She spent hours exploring, wandering from one room to another, marveling at the sheer opulence of the place. It felt like a gilded cage, every corner meticulously curated to perfection, yet it lacked the warmth of a true home. She found herself drawn to the library, its towering shelves filled with books that whispered promises of escape.

Ella selected a novel at random, its worn spine a contrast to the glossy covers surrounding it. She settled into a plush chair by the window, the golden light of the afternoon spilling over the pages as she sank into the story. It was a romance, of course—an easy distraction from the reality of her situation.

Hours passed unnoticed as the world outside faded away. Ella was utterly engrossed, her mind lost in the tale of forbidden love and daring escapes. By the time she noticed the room growing dim, the sun had already slipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the walls. She sighed, closing the book and stretching her legs, feeling the ache of sitting still for so long.

Just as she was about to stand, a warm breath tickled her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Enjoying yourself?" frёeωebɳovel.com

Ella yelped, her heart leaping into her throat as she whipped around, clutching the book to her chest like a shield. Nicholas stood behind her, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

"Nicholas!" she exclaimed, trying to steady her racing heart. "What is wrong with you? Don’t sneak up on people like that!"

He chuckled, stepping closer and bracing his hands on the backrest of her chair, effectively boxing her in. His smirk deepened as he leaned in, their faces mere inches apart. "You looked so peaceful. I couldn’t resist," he murmured, his voice low and teasing. "Did I scare you, little vixen?"

Ella’s pulse quickened, both from the lingering scare and the sudden proximity. "Yes! You did, you—" She cut herself off, narrowing her eyes at him. "And don’t call me that."

"Why not?" Nicholas tilted his head, his grin widening as though he were thoroughly entertained by her flustered state. "It suits you."

"It does not," Ella muttered, pressing herself back into the chair in an attempt to put some distance between them. Unfortunately, Nicholas only leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming.

His eyes flicked to the book in her hands. "What are you reading?"

She glanced down, realizing she was still clutching the novel like a lifeline. "Just a book," she said quickly, her voice a little too high-pitched to sound casual.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "A book, huh? That narrows it down. Let me guess..." He reached out, plucking the novel from her hands before she could protest. His grin grew wider as he read the title aloud. "A romance. Of course."

Ella’s cheeks burned. "So what if it is?" she shot back, snatching the book from him. "You don’t have to make fun of me."

"I’m not making fun," Nicholas said, though the smirk on his face suggested otherwise. "I just didn’t peg you as a romantic."

"I never said I was," Ella countered, her voice defensive.

"Sure you didn’t," Nicholas replied smoothly, his tone dripping with mock agreement. He leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, what happens in this one? Let me guess—some brooding hero sweeps the heroine off her feet, and they live happily ever after?"

"Something like that," Ella muttered, refusing to meet his gaze. She could feel her cheeks heating under his scrutiny.

Nicholas let out a soft chuckle. "Sounds boring."

"It’s not," she snapped, finally looking up at him.

His smirk softened into something almost genuine as he studied her. "You’re blushing," he said, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur.

"I’m not!" she protested, though the warmth in her cheeks betrayed her.

"You are," Nicholas countered, his tone almost a whisper now. "Your face is as red as a rose, little vixen."

Ella’s breath hitched. She became acutely aware of how close he was—close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body, close enough that his scent, a mix of cedarwood and something faintly sweet, filled her senses. Her heart pounded in her chest as her gaze flicked to his lips, then back up to his dark, piercing eyes.

Nicholas’s expression shifted, the teasing edge giving way to something more serious, more intense. He leaned in even closer, their noses almost brushing. The playful mood evaporated, replaced by a tension so thick it was almost suffocating.

Ella froze, her mind screaming at her to move, to break the moment, but her body refused to cooperate. She was utterly captivated by him, her thoughts a chaotic mess as his gaze held hers like a magnet.

Nicholas’s tongue darted out, wetting his lips. The movement drew her attention, and she swallowed hard, her pulse roaring in her ears. His breath ghosted over her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You’re in my space," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Nicholas’s lips curved into a slow, devilish smile. "Oh no, love," he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver through her. "That’s a promise."

Ella’s chest tightened, her breath hitching as the tension crackled between them like a live wire. For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped, the world shrinking until it was just the two of them locked in this strange, electrifying moment.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Nicholas leaned back, breaking the spell. The smirk was back, and he straightened, shoving his hands into his pockets as though nothing had happened.

"Goodnight, little vixen," he said, his tone light and teasing once more.

Ella blinked, still struggling to process what had just transpired. "Goodnight," she muttered, her voice shaky.

Nicholas turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the library. Ella stared after him, her cheeks burning and her heart racing. She touched her lips absentmindedly, her mind whirling with a thousand thoughts.

What had just happened? And why, despite everything, did she feel like she didn’t want it to end?