My Stand-In Groom Is A Secret Tycoon (Audrey)

Before Audrey could react, Alistair deepened the kiss, as if determined to consume every part of her. His hand held her firmly, keeping her from sliding down as her legs grew weak. They were so close that every subtle response was felt between them. Audrey let out a quiet sound, her soft hands pushing against his chest.

Beneath her palm, Audrey could feel the heat radiating from his firm, defined muscles, sending a shiver through her entire body.

At that time, Alistair's hand on her lower back stroked gently, as if to comfort her, but the pressure of his kiss only grew.

Audrey was running out of breath. She patted his chest, catching a glimpse of the floor numbers descending on the elevator screen.

Ding! The elevator stopped on the sixth floor.

'Oh no, it's the after-work rush. There'll definitely be people outside! If anyone saw this...' Audrey thought. Then she began to whimper, pressing harder against his chest.

Just when Audrey thought her embarrassment was inevitable, Alistair finally ended the kiss.

As the elevator doors slid open, they each took a subtle step back. But before Audrey could catch her breath, a crowd of people had already piled into the elevator.

Alistair's arm instinctively reached out, positioning himself in front of her protectively, shielding her from view. His eyes were still tinged with desire, a faint flush visible at his neck as his gaze lingered on her flushed cheeks and reddened lips. Audrey caught the way he looked at her, and her heart fluttered, her face heating up from both his lingering touch and his casual protectiveness. But then, her thoughts turned back to last night's conversation.

'He's only married me because of his son, hasn't he? That kiss is just a reward,' Audrey thought. Then she pressed her lips together, trying to pull herself together.

Soon, the elevator reached the second floor, and they found a spot in the cafeteria.

Alistair laid out the dishes he'd brought carefully. And they were all of Audrey's favorites.

After that, Alistair started peeling shrimp for her out of habit, and neither of them mentioned the kiss.

Alistair seemed calm, but his gaze rarely left her, and he kept peeling shrimp and handing her napkins. He even reached out to wipe a bit of soup from the corner of her mouth.

Nearby, a young couple watched them, and the girl tugged on her boyfriend's ear playfully. "Look how attentive her boyfriend is! Take some notes, will you?"

The boyfriend, quick on his feet, responded immediately, "Alright, alright, babe, I'll feed you!"noveldrama

Audrey overheard them and was about to laugh when Alistair leaned forward suddenly, propping himself up on one hand, and asked in a low, sexy voice, "Want me to feed you too, babe?" That deep, magnetic voice sent a shock through her. Audrey felt her cheeks turn bright red, heat flooding her face and even tingling at the tips of her ears.

"Just eat your own food; I'm not a kid," Audrey managed to mumble.

"Alright." Alistair looked a bit disappointed as he lowered his gaze.

Audrey glanced at him, her fingers pinching her warm earlobe nervously.

Halfway through the meal, Alistair's phone rang. Whatever the person on the other end said, his face darkened suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Audrey asked, concerned.

Alistair looked at her with a hint of regret and replied, "Something's come up at work. I might need to leave."

Audrey's gaze shifted to his plate. "Are you full?"

Alistair nodded. "I am. Just sorry I can't stay to finish lunch with you."

"It's fine. Work's important. You don't need to go out of your way to come by if you're that busy; I don't want you overworking," Audrey replied lightly.

Alistair didn't agree or disagree, only giving her a last reminder to finish her lunch before he left.

Once she'd eaten, Audrey started gathering the lunchboxes to take back to the office and planned to bring them home after work.

As Audrey waited for the elevator, she caught sight of Eliza again.