My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Don’t Worry, I Didn’t Bully You

He looked down, meeting her dewy gaze, and his heart suddenly softened.

"Mm," he responded in a low voice, letting her hold on to him tightly.

"So... are we dating now?" Her tone was gentle, the end of her words trailing off softly, like a tiny hook scratching at his heart.

Jared Hawthorne bent over and carefully tucked in the corners of her blanket, his voice deep. "You don’t want to?"

"No, it’s just... unexpected." Vesper Grayson chuckled softly and looked up at him. "President Hawthorne, why do you like me? Is it just because... I slept with you?"

"Does liking someone need a reason?"

Jared Hawthorne leaned down slightly, resting his forehead against her smooth one. His crisp breath mingled with the scent of alcohol wafting from her, and his voice was low and husky, utterly bewitching.

"I like you. It’s not about fleeting romance; it’s just because you are you."

His words were like a stone tossed unexpectedly into the lake of her heart, sending out ripples of unconcealable panic and a profound, aimless confusion that filled her eyes.

The effects of the alcohol surged at that moment, mixing with the crisp, pleasant scent from his body, making her go completely soft.

She stared blankly at the man’s features, so close to her own, her eyelashes trembling slightly. "Jared Hawthorne... how long will your feelings for me last?"

He and Luke Lockwood had been friends for so many years, yet that relationship could be betrayed just like that. And she and Jared Hawthorne had known each other for less than a month.

Jared Hawthorne’s thin lips curved slightly. "Time will tell. You can take your time to find out."

He was about to straighten up when a pair of soft arms suddenly wrapped around his waist, their grip as stubborn and relentless as a child’s.

"I want to know right now."

He didn’t answer.

The next second, he lowered his head, his kiss falling hard.

This wasn’t a tentative kiss, but one so deep it was almost predatory. Their lips and teeth ground against each other, carrying a long-suppressed obsession and scorching heat, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Her breath was stolen away. The alcohol and his scent tangled together as her body went limp and her mind grew dizzy, then went completely blank.

When the kiss ended, he still pressed against her slightly swollen lips, his breath heavy and hot.

"Is that clear enough?"

After a long moment, she could only nod blankly, her damp eyelashes drooping, unable to say a word.

Gazing at her soft and pliant appearance, Jared Hawthorne let out a low chuckle, his eyes filling with an adoration so thick it was palpable.

He got up and went to the kitchen to make her some sobering tea.

A moment later, he returned with a warm teacup, but the young woman on the bed had already turned on her side and fallen asleep, looking peaceful and serene.

He sat on the edge of the bed, gently pulling her into his arms. He patiently helped her drink the sobering tea, then carefully removed her elaborate qipao, covered her with the blanket, and tucked the corners in tightly before quietly getting up and leaving.

「The next day.」

Vesper Grayson awoke enveloped in a soft warmth.

The headache from her hangover wasn’t too severe. She slowly opened her eyes to an unfamiliar but comfortable room, a crisp, clean scent lingering in the air.

Sensing something was off, she threw back the covers and discovered her qipao was gone.

She quickly ducked back under them.

Fragmented memories suddenly flooded her mind.

’Last night, I got drunk, and Jared Hawthorne took me away. I think I clung to him and said some things.’

’And Jared Hawthorne... he said he liked me?’

’I thought that after Luke Lockwood’s betrayal, I would have locked my heart away, that I wouldn’t fall for another man so easily.’

’But when Jared Hawthorne said he liked me, I couldn’t stop the joy bubbling up inside. It’s probably because we were intimate.’

Suddenly, she felt a flicker of anticipation for this engagement.

Just then, the man, wearing a deep blue robe, pushed the door open and walked in.

Vesper Grayson huddled under the covers, revealing only a pair of moist, almond-shaped eyes.

"Does your head hurt?"

He walked to the bedside and asked in a low voice.

"It’s fine," she asked quietly, "My qipao..."

"It would be a shame if such a beautiful qipao got wrinkled from being slept in, wouldn’t it?"

The corner of Jared Hawthorne’s lip curled up in a tease. "Don’t worry, I didn’t take advantage of you."

"..."

"Get dressed and come down for breakfast."

Vesper Grayson left the room and walked down the hallway to the stairs. The living room’s decor was the height of luxury. Original masterpieces from famous artists hung on the walls, while display shelves were artfully arranged with Song dynasty porcelain and other antique treasures. Every detail bespoke the heritage and extravagance of a top-tier family.

In the dining room, Jared Hawthorne sat at the table. The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft golden edge on his sharp profile.

His well-defined fingers swiped lightly across his phone. His side profile was sharp and exquisite, with a high-bridged nose and clear-cut features. Every inch of him looked like a masterpiece meticulously carved by God.

Even just sitting there quietly, he exuded a noble, aloof aura that was both steady and intimidating.

Vesper Grayson stood a short distance away, so captivated by the sight that she forgot to look away.

As if sensing her direct gaze, Jared Hawthorne looked up at her.

"Come here."

He spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, carrying a natural intimacy.

Vesper Grayson’s face flushed. She walked over and sat down beside him.

She kept her eyes lowered, quietly sipping her congee in small mouthfuls.

Jared Hawthorne put down his phone and looked at her. He began to speak slowly, his tone low and serious.

"Since we’re dating now, have you considered moving in with me?"

’Is he asking me to move in with him?’

Vesper Grayson met his gaze and pursed her lips. "Isn’t this a little too fast?"

"I’ve always prioritized efficiency. Since I’m sure it’s you, we might as well speed things up and have a trial marriage. It’ll also help us get to know each other better."

He handed her a piece of toast with jam, his tone gentle but with an undeniable, domineering edge.

"You don’t have to answer right now. I’ll give you a week to think about it, but I don’t like to wait too long."

Back at the office, Vesper Grayson sat spacing out in her chair.

She was seriously considering Jared Hawthorne’s proposal.

’If we lived together, we’d have to share a bed every night.’

The phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID. It was Mrs. Spencer.

"Miss Grayson, I’m bringing a friend to your shop this afternoon. I was wondering if you might be free?"

"I am. Just tell me a specific time, and I’ll see you at the shop then."

’Money is walking right in the door. There’s no reason not to take it.’

After a brief chat, she hung up the phone. Vesper Grayson stopped her mind from wandering and threw herself into her work.

She only finished her work close to noon.

She called Shiloh Sloan as she walked toward the elevator.

The elevator doors opened, and Gwen Grayson came walking toward her, clicking in her high heels.

"Vesper Grayson, approve a purchase order for me. Hurry up, I’m in a rush!"

She thrust the form in front of her with an air of entitlement.

Vesper Grayson raised an eyebrow, correcting her at a leisurely pace, "Manager Grayson, at the company, you should be addressing me as Vice President Grayson."

"What are you putting on airs for? There’s no one else here!" Gwen Grayson rolled her eyes. "Getting all high and mighty with your title."

"Then I’m sorry, but I can’t sign any form for you, no matter what it is." Vesper Grayson tried to walk around her.

Gwen Grayson blocked her path, saying urgently, "Vesper Grayson, that’s enough! This batch of raw stones is extremely rare. If we miss it, it’s gone. We have to approve the funds now!"

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