Chapter 983

He desperately wanted to know what had triggered this shift. It couldn't just be that the maids had scared her today, making her suddenly crave protection.

Hadn't he been shielding her for the past two years? He had cradled her in the palm of his hand, terrified she might suffer even the slightest scratch.

Maeve stared into Layne's eyes. This wasn't the face of Quinton Foster, the man she yearned for day and night. She abruptly pulled her hands away, a flicker of clarity returning as she forced a smile.

"Ignore me. I'm just drunk. I was only messing with you."

But Layne wasn't having it. He grabbed her hand and refused to let go.

"Maeve, I want to marry you, and I'm serious. I even bought the ring, but you never said yes. I don't know what you're thinking. You're drunk today, but I believe there's truth in it. So please, tell me, why do you suddenly want to marry me?"

Layne's gaze was dripping with devotion, but Maeve only offered a mocking smile in return.

Why? Because he wasn't Quinn. The man who had sworn to wait for her two years ago was now marrying someone else.

Layne wasn't Quinn. Now that she faced reality, she regretted everything. She wasn't going to marry Layne, because he simply wasn't worthy of her.

Maeve slipped her hand out of his grip and gave him a gentle, practiced smile.

"Just pretend it was the alcohol talking. You know my family is complicated. If we get married without my family's blessing, what's the point?

Besides, haven't we been happy these past two years? Why do we need a piece of paper to prove it?"

After dropping the excuse, she

seemed entirely sober as she stood up and left the balcony. Looking back at him she murmured

tired. Sleep with me tonight, Layne."

No man could resist an invitation like that. Despite failing his eleventh proposal, Layne could only smile in defeat.

It had been two years; he was used to her rejections. Honestly, if she had actually said yes, he would have been suspicious.

Maeve was genuinely intoxicated.

The moment her head hit the pillow, she drifted off. Layne watched here sleep, having no intention of taking advantage of her state but she looked far too tempting Unable to resist, he leaned down and captured her lips.

Maeve let out a soft moan, rolling over to wrap her arms tightly around his neck. As they kissed deeply, Layne could have sworn he heard something.

She seemed to be murmuring "okay" against his mouth. What did "okay" mean? He didn't know, and soon he didn't care, as their bodies tangled together in a heated rush.

He had never taken her while she was drunk before, and for Layne, it was an entirely new, intoxicating experience.

Fueled by the wine, Maeve was utterly wild. It was the first time she had taken such an aggressive, dominant lead.

Layne never knew she possessed such explosive magnetism when she let go. They took each other in every corner of the bedroom.

Later, when he carried her into the bathroom, Maeve pulled him into the filled tub, dragging him under for two more rounds.

By the end of the night, not only was he completely drained, but Maeve had collapsed from exhaustion. It was a night Layne would never forget.

They slept wrapped in each other's arms wel into the next day. When Maeve finally opened her eyes and saw Layne sleeping soundly beside her, the memories of their intense night crashed into her mind.