Instead...
She allowed Nicholas to slowly, inch by inch, draw closer.
He looked ready to claim his payment.
Just as the distance between them reached a dangerously close point-
"Sir! Miss Lancaster!"
Suddenly, Nathaniel's voice came from the direction of the elevator. “The group outside has completely withdrawn! They must have realized their probe failed and that our security is impenetrable. They've given up for now!"
The elevator doors opened.
Nathaniel rushed out.
The moment his voice rang out.
On pure reflex, Serena shot her hand up, slapping it right over the man's face, which was just about to touch hers.
His warm, thin lips pressed into her palm, sending a scorching sensation through her.
She pushed hard.
Caught off guard, the man stumbled back two steps and promptly fell to the floor.
Serena averted her gaze, looking nonchalantly at the monitors, and said with a blank expression, “Yeah, I figured as much. You should get some rest. They won't make another move tonight."
Nathaniel stood a short distance from the console, stammering a reply to Serena. But his gaze was fixed in utter disbelief on his boss...
His boss, sprawled somewhat undignifiedly on the floor!
Nathaniel's eyes widened. He glanced at Serena.
Then back at his boss, then back at Serena.
“D-Did they have a fight?” Nathaniel muttered to himself. “No, that's not right... Why is Miss Lancaster's face so red?"
Nicholas propped one long leg up. Even in such an awkward position on the floor, he was still handsome.
His face was just that good.
He remained seated and glanced up at Nathaniel. “It's fine, Nathaniel. Go get some rest."
Nathaniel looked at his boss, then at Serena again.
And suddenly, it clicked!
It was the middle of the night.
A man and a woman, alone in a room, in the middle of the night..... those words added up.
His appearance had probably been a total buzzkill.
Nathaniel instinctively ducked his head and scurried away.
Oh man, did I just ruin his big chance to finally get a girlfriend?! he wailed internally.
Nathaniel left.
The control room was once again occupied by just the two of them.
Serena glanced at the now-quiet security monitors.
She turned to leave.
"Serena."
The man's voice, laced with a soft, lingering smile, drew out her name with
ate slowness.
.net s Swi
As if the two syllables were tumbling between his lips and teeth.
It sounded cloyingly intimate.
Serena turned to look at him.
The man had already gotten to his feet, a lazy, roguish curve to his lips.
He raised his long fingers and slowly brought them to Serena's crimson lips.
He let out a low, lazy laugh. "The payment... I'll collect it next time."
Serena blinked suddenly, staring straight at him.
Up close, under the bright lights ofe the control room the man's face was still impeccably perfect. Gontent
His captivating eyes shimmered, his brows were as dark as ink, and his thin
ps were slightly upturned in a casual smirk.
It was an aggressive sort of appeal, charged with magnetic tension.
He was so handsome there wasn't a single flaw to find.
Serena just stared at him.
After a long moment of silence, she suddenly turned and walked out of the control
room.
Leaving Nicholas standing there alone.
He was a bit baffled.
The way she had looked at him just now...
It felt like a pure, clinical assessment.
He touched his own face, wondering, Was that suave move I learned online not cool
enough?