Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 14:
Mm…..
He Qingrou pretended to be calm as she averted her eyes,
though she still accidentally caught a glimpse of soft, bare skin.
At the sound of movement, Wuliang the cat leapt from his nest,
circling her with a chirp before pawing playfully at her shoe.
I asked for half a day off for you, Lin Nai said, smiling.
Didn’t want to wake you. Breakfast’s ready, want to eat together?
He Qingrou nodded, went to wash up, then sat at the dining table.
On the white porcelain plate were two fried eggs. Beside them, a glass of milk.
Simple….
Almost too simple. Wuliang hopped onto the stool next to her, curling against her knee.
She rubbed the little creature’s neck; it squinted in delight, nuzzling into her palm.
It really likes you, Lin Nai remarked between sips of milk. I was afraid it’d scratch you.
It’s spoiled, doesn’t let anyone touch it usually.
No, it’s very gentle, He Qingrou replied.
At her voice, Wuliang tilted its head and meowed, as if in agreement.
Maybe it just likes pretty people, Lin Nai said, eyes fixed on her.
He Qingrou looked down, chewing slowly. She caught the hint behind
those words but stayed silent.
After breakfast, you can rest a bit before heading in, Lin Nai said. Work doesn’t start till two.
Mm. He Qingrou lifted her gaze and saw Lin Nai staring openly. Her face warmed.
Don’t look at me like that, she muttered. You’ll wear a hole through me.
Lin Nai arched a brow, thinking privately, no flower could look better than you.
After the meal, Lin Nai cleaned up while He Qingrou sat in the living room, eyes closed,
half-dozing. Wuliang lay on his back beside her, legs in the air, snoring softly.
She cracked one eye open, poked his round belly; his hind leg twitched, but he didn’t stir.
Then, her gaze drifted toward the kitchen, and there, framed in morning light,
was Lin Nai’s tall figure. Her silk nightgown swayed as she moved,
long legs gliding back and forth, alluring, effortless.
He Qingrou swallowed. Her fingers clenched at the sofa cushion.
She wasn’t some saint unmoved by temptation. She had needs like anyone else.
But she’d always been disciplined, too focused on work to care, until Lin Nai.
Since then, everything had become blurred. Boundaries that should have held simply melted.
Last night had felt real, frighteningly so. If Lin Nai hadn’t stopped when she did, what then?
She didn’t know.
Before they met, she could tumble in bed from dusk till dawn with a stranger and feel nothing. Now, as boss and subordinate, the desire was still there but tangled with something heavier.
Wrong, even.
She knew some gestures weren’t accidental, no matter how they seemed.
And yet, she let herself be led, as if bewitched.
What are you thinking about, Lin Nai’s voice came from behind her.
She had finished cleaning, wiping her hands as she untied her apron.
When she lifted her arms, her neckline slipped, revealing more than intended.
He Qingrou’s eyelid twitched. She muttered softly, be careful.
What, Lin Nai blinked, genuinely puzzled.
He Qingrou didn’t answer. She simply lowered her gaze, letting her eyes speak for her.
Realization dawned; Lin Nai smiled, wickedly amused.
Instead of adjusting her robe, she sat down close, too close.
What’s wrong, she teased, feigning innocence.
He Qingrou could only gape. She’d never met anyone so shameless.
Lin Nai’s mischief sparked. Maybe it was because He Qingrou was always so composed,
so proper, that she couldn’t resist poking at her calm. She reached out, tickling the woman’s palm, then her side. Come on, tell me…
He Qingrou yelped, retreating until her back hit the sofa corner, trapped.
Where are you going, Lin Nai caught her ankle in one smooth motion, pulled, and suddenly
He Qingrou was beneath her. Now you can’t run, Lin Nai murmured.
He Qingrou stared up, then smiled helplessly. I’m not running. You just startled me.
Lin Nai hadn’t planned on anything more than teasing. But with He Qingrou beneath her,
those lips, that warmth, her mind blurred. Something primal stirred, loud and insistent.
Without thinking, she bent down, voice rough, a low hum escaping her throat.
Her long legs twined around He Qingrou’s, drawing her closer.
He Qingrou didn’t resist.
Taking silence as consent, Lin Nai kissed her, first her cheek, then lower.
No rejection.
No words.
Desire bloomed, reckless and hot.
He Qingrou closed her eyes, her body moving of its own accord,
thought abandoned, consequence forgotten.
And then came a sound.
Meow, meow, meow.
The cat’s cry shattered the spell.
In their tangle, they’d somehow shoved Wuliang off the sofa.
The poor thing rolled twice on the floor, dazed, whiskers bristling in outrage
as it stared at the entwined pair.
He Qingrou sobered instantly. She scrambled up, smoothing her rumpled clothes,
hand over her mouth to hide her confusion.
Lin Nai stayed slouched against the couch, boneless, her long legs crossed, eyes glinting.
Under that gaze, He Qingrou felt her pulse trip. It’s almost one, she stammered,
reaching for her coat.
I should go.
But Wuliang pounced again, wrapping its paws around her heel, trapping her.
Then Lin Nai rose, stepped close, and from behind, slipped her arms around He Qingrou’s waist.
Her chin brushed the woman’s shoulder as she whispered, voice low and warm,
then let’s go together.
He Qingrou’s fingers clenched the fabric of her coat, knuckles pale.
They arrived at the office one after another. He Qingrou, just out of the elevator,
nearly bumped into Chi Jiayi.
Qingrou, where were you this morning? You didn’t answer WeChat.
I almost dropped by your place.
He Qingrou froze. She hadn’t even checked her phone.
Had some personal things to deal with, she said quickly.
Personal? You? Jiayi raised a brow. Since when do you ever take time off for that?
Her eyes swept He Qingrou up and down, then caught on something faint along her collarbone, barely hidden beneath her blouse.
She dragged He Qingrou into a corner, whispering low,
Wait, did you… you know?
He Qingrou stiffened. No.
Oh, come on, Jiayi said, smirking. Don’t lie to me.
Really, He Qingrou insisted. You’re imagining things.
Imagining? Please. I went by your place last night.
You weren’t home. Jiayi’s grin widened.
So who was it? The same one from before?
He Qingrou’s face burned. Words tangled uselessly in her throat.
Before she could answer, the elevator doors slid open again. Out stepped Lin Nai,
all sharp lines and black suit, every inch the composed executive.
He Qingrou’s back went rigid.