Accidental Marriage with the CEO: Unwanted Bride
Chapter 26: Random lust

Chapter 26: Random lust

"How are you here?" Ignoring his request, she questioned him, genuinely surprised to see him at such a gathering. He didn’t strike her as someone who would attend such a dull and uneventful event.

"Right. I know this party isn’t really my scene, but I am here on behalf of someone," he replied casually.

"Oh." She muttered under her breath before adding, "You can let go of me now. It’s inappropriate to be in this position," lowering her gaze as she spoke.

"On one condition," he said.

She frowned and raised her head, already teetering on the edge of irritation.

Smiling, he teased, "I love it when you are angry and serious, it turns me on."

Her anxiety spiked. If anyone saw them like this and recognized her, explaining it to Roman would be far worse than facing her old woman. The last thing she needed was a scandal, not now when her life was finally beginning to settle.

"I am not doing anything for you. Let me go this instant or I will scream," she warned. To her shock, he burst into laughter.

"If you were going to scream, you already would have. But you won’t, because of your husband. And besides, you haven’t even heard of the condition yet. Why are you so quick to resist?" He asked, amused.

She let out a frustrated sigh.

"I am a married woman, and my husband is at this event. If he sees me like this, there will be a huge misunderstanding. No one will believe that nothing’s going on between us," she reasoned, though even she knew how compromising it already looked.

He replied, "Who says nothing’s going on?" His gaze dropped lazily to her lips, filled with such intense desire that Patricia’s cheeks flushed, not with anger this time, but a different feeling entirely. No man had ever looked at her like that before. It didn’t look like a random lust, but rather with a need that made it seem like he wanted to claim her.

"Alright," she relented quickly, realizing how badly things could spiral if she didn’t. "Tell me what the condition is. I will do it."

"Give me your number, and I will let you go."

She sighed, hesitating for a moment before finally agreeing. "Okay."

He released her, and she instantly stepped five paces away.

"I will call it out from here!" she shouted when she saw him lift his foot to approach. Raising her hand to stop him, she began calling out her number from a safe distance.

Just then, a gust of wind swept past, making her rub her arms as she shivered. She cursed herself silently for not bringing a jacket. It would have looked stylish to others but she knew it was for warmth.

While she was still trying to warm herself up, Syres had already taken off his suit jacket. She didn’t notice him until he was right beside her, draping it over her shoulders.

"No, I don’t need it. I have to get back inside," she said quickly, removing the jacket and pressing it to his chest. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.

She rubbed her shoulders as she walked away, blowing warm air into her palms while making her way back to the main hall. Upon arriving, she paused and glanced around, searching for Roman. When she finally spotted him, she froze, uncertain whether or not to approach. He was draping his suit jacket over Michelle, even though she wasn’t wearing a sleeveless gown. The dress was neither too short nor long and she didn’t need the jacket.

Then again, what was she thinking? Michelle was his woman. Of course, he would go out of his way for her, whether she needed it or not.

"Seems your husband doesn’t think you are worthy of his protection," the familiar voice said from beside her.

It was Syres again. Patricia didn’t respond, and her gaze remained fixed on the couple. All she could think about was how she would endure the next month without feeling like an intruder. She needed to secure the investment as soon as possible. Even if she couldn’t get a divorce immediately, she could at least move out and stay with Zara until the papers were finalized.

"I must say, your competition is tough. You should give up," he said, teasing again.

Patricia, tired of him, took a step forward but her ankle wobbled, and she nearly fell. Syres caught her just in time.

"Easy," he murmured, steadying her before glancing down at her heels.

"You have no choice," he said matter-of-factly. "I can’t take off my shoes for you in front of these people, but no one will question the jacket."

His tone was serious, no teasing, no sarcasm. And for the first time, she felt a strange understanding pass between them. Maybe he was right. Roman wouldn’t even notice the jacket, and it didn’t seem like they were leaving anytime soon. There was no real reason to refuse.

When she didn’t object, he took that as agreement and gently draped his jacket over her shoulders.

At the same time, two dark eyes landed on them from across the room, sending a sharp, wordless judgment their way before quickly looking away again.

"Thank you," she said softly, letting herself sink into the warmth of the jacket.

"It’s fine. It’s a fair exchange," he replied.

She arched her brow, puzzled.

"Your number...for my jacket," he clarified.

She almost laughed. It didn’t matter anyway, she was going to block him. Let him have the number.

Patricia trailed behind Roman and Michelle from a distance as they made their way through the hall. Her feet were aching, but she didn’t complain. She simply endured it until the event finally ended.

Later, she managed to convince Roman to let her ride home in a separate car. She needed the space. She would do her best not to come between them for as long as she had to. They loved each other. They deserved that.

When she got home, Patricia skipped dinner and went straight to soak her swollen feet in warm water.