Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 96: Effective Way

Chapter 96: Effective Way

Ellen sat there, completely still, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Mason had kissed her. She could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, a touch that wouldn’t go away. Her fingers brushed against her lips, as if to confirm that it had really happened.

What got into him? The question looped through her mind, over and over, as she struggled to reconcile the Mason she knew with the man who had just kissed her. Mason was always so distant, so controlled. Yet, in that moment, he had been something entirely different—something raw, almost vulnerable.

She needed to get out of there, to put some distance between herself and Mason before she lost control of her emotions completely. But just as she began to rise from the couch, Mason’s hand caught hers, his grip firm but gentle. It startled her, and she lost her balance, landing right on his lap with a soft thud.

Ellen’s breath caught in her throat as she found herself face-to-face with Mason, their bodies pressed close together. His hand still held hers, while his other arm wrapped around her waist, anchoring her in place. His eyes locked onto hers, and Ellen felt a shiver run down her spine, the intensity of his gaze making it impossible for her to look away.

"Trying to run away?" Mason’s voice was low, teasing, but there was something serious that got Ellen’s pulse racing.

"No," Ellen lied, her voice barely above a whisper. But she knew Mason could see right through her.

Mason’s lips curved into a slight smile, one that made Ellen’s stomach flip. He leaned in closer, his head leaned in toward her neck, and Ellen’s breath hitched in anticipation. She felt a mix of excitement and nerves as his breath brushed her skin, making her shiver.

"Mason..." Ellen’s voice trembled as she whispered his name, her hands instinctively clutching his shoulders for support. She was caught between wanting to pull away and wanting to lean in closer, her body and mind at war with each other.

Mason didn’t respond with words. Instead, he pressed a soft kiss against the curve of her neck, his lips warm and gentle. Ellen gasped at the sensation, her eyes fluttering shut as she tilted her head to the side, giving him better access. The feel of his lips on her skin was intoxicating, sending a rush of warmth through her that made her heart race even faster.

As Mason’s kisses grew bolder, Ellen’s body responded in kind. Her hands tightened their grip on his shoulders, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. The world around her seemed to fade away, just the two of them in this intense moment. The warmth of his kiss and the gentle way he touched her—it was all overwhelming, and Ellen found herself sinking into the sensation, letting it consume her.

But then, just as suddenly as it had started, Mason pulled back. Ellen’s eyes snapped open, her heart pounding in her chest as she looked at him, searching his face for any clue as to what he was thinking.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. Ellen’s mind raced, trying to figure out what to say, how to break the tension that hung in the air. But before she could find the right words, Mason spoke first.

"So, that’s how to make you stop talking," he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

Ellen blinked, the meaning of his words slowly sinking in. Her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation as she realized what he was implying. She opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat, her mind still reeling from the kiss.

"What... What are you talking about?" Ellen finally managed to stammer, her voice a bit shaky. She knew she was flustered, her emotions all over the place, and it didn’t help that Mason was watching her with that same teasing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Mason leaned back slightly, his arm still around her waist, holding her close. "Just an observation," he said casually, as if he hadn’t just completely turned her world upside down. "You were going on and on about my family, and I needed a way to get you to stop."

Ellen’s face burned even hotter, her heart skipping a beat as she realized he had been teasing her the entire time. She felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, but there was something else too—something she didn’t want to admit. The fact that Mason had kissed her, that he had done it so naturally, left her feeling more flustered than she wanted to let on.

"I wasn’t going on and on," Ellen protested weakly, her voice not as confident as usual. She felt tiny and exposed, her emotions all mixed up and hard to sort out.

Mason’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched her squirm. "Oh, you were," he said lightly. "But it worked, didn’t it?"

Ellen’s breath caught in her throat again, her mind racing to find a way to regain some semblance of control over the situation. But before she could think of a response, Mason leaned in close once more, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "You’re cute when you’re flustered, you know that?"

Ellen’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat as his words sent a fresh wave of heat through her. She could feel her face turning an even deeper shade of red, and she quickly averted her gaze, unable to meet his teasing eyes. The last thing she wanted was for Mason to see just how much he was affecting her, but it was impossible to hide how she felt when her body was giving her away so clearly.

She needed to get out of there, before she said or did something she couldn’t take back. With a shaky breath, Ellen pushed herself up from his lap, standing on unsteady legs as she tried to compose herself.

"I... I think I’m going to bed," she mumbled, her voice so soft she wasn’t even sure Mason heard her. But she couldn’t bring herself to look at him, to see the expression on his face. Mason didn’t say a word, and for that, she was grateful.

Ellen took a hesitant step back, her eyes still avoiding his. When Mason remained still, she let out a small breath of relief. Thank God he didn’t stop her or try anything again.

She quickly turned on her heel, her movements rushed and almost frantic. Her heart was still racing, and she could feel the heat of his gaze on her back as she hurried out of the living room. Ellen didn’t dare look back.