Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Irrepressible Affection

The next morning, Miles Warren fished Claire Kendall out from under the covers.

Her eyes were hazy with sleep as she mumbled, "Just a little longer..."

"We’re picking up Professor Olek from the airport today."

Claire Kendall was instantly awake.

’This was the professor she had spent so long trying to contact for Lindsay Joyce’s surgery!’

She struggled free of him and rushed barefoot toward the bathroom, but her legs felt weak. Her lower abdomen was sore and achy, and a certain spot throbbed intensely.

The toothpaste was already squeezed onto her brush. She puffed out her cheeks in a huff as she brushed her teeth.

"You knew we had to go to the airport today, and you still... did that to me last night."

By the floor-to-ceiling window... She couldn’t even look at that window anymore.

Miles Warren followed behind her, picked up the slippers she had kicked off, and brought them to the bathroom door.

"I wasn’t planning on it, but you were the one who said we had that kind of relationship."

Claire Kendall glared at him. ’The nerve!’

Once she was ready, she quickly opened the closet and chose an embroidered silk dress to change into. Mrs. Olek was very fond of embroidery.

"Dr. Warren, could you help me with my zipper?" she asked, not realizing how natural the words sounded.

The man’s fingers pinched the zipper at the back of her dress, moving very slowly as he pulled it up, inch by inch.

His gaze traveled down from the pale nape of her neck to her slender waist.

"What is it?" Claire Kendall tilted her head, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

’That familiar, predatory look—subtle yet intense.’

The next second, he withdrew his gaze, resuming his usual cold self-control.

He took a shawl from the closet and wrapped her up snugly in it, his voice indifferent.

"It’s early. The airport will be cold."

In the car, Miles Warren handed her some breakfast, then pointed to several beautifully wrapped gift boxes in the back seat.

"These are for you to give to Professor Olek later. They’re all things he likes."

"When did you get these?"

Miles Warren started the car. "After you told me at the hospital the other day."

Claire Kendall’s long lashes lowered slightly.

’He’d prepared the gifts she would need for today’s meeting a whole week ago, and he had never once mentioned it to her.’

She was reminded of what Sharon Carter had said—Miles Warren was a genuinely good person who would fulfill his duties as a husband.

’But would anyone really take their duties as a husband to this extent?’

The car arrived at the airport.

At the international arrivals exit, the two of them met Professor and Mrs. Olek.

"Miles! Long time no see!" Olek was exceptionally warm, embracing Miles Warren. It was clear Olek was especially fond of his former student.

Mrs. Olek’s eyes lit up when she saw Claire Kendall.

"You must be Ms. Kendall? Heavens, your dress is gorgeous! It uses the same stitch as the handkerchief you sent me!"

Claire Kendall smiled faintly. "Mrs. Olek, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I have many more at my studio. Perhaps I could take you to have a look when you have time?"

She presented the couple with the gifts Miles Warren had prepared for her.

Professor Olek’s voice trembled as he looked at the signed book from his late mentor.

"Ms. Kendall, this gift is truly priceless."

Claire Kendall instinctively glanced at Miles Warren. ’He put in all the thought, but he let me take all the credit.’

The group went to a pre-arranged private restaurant.

"Miles, Claire, why don’t you two have a little baby?" Mrs. Olek asked curiously.

Claire Kendall’s fingers, holding her chopsticks, paused slightly.

’Every time they were intimate, he was always so careful.’ ’Their marriage... Miles Warren definitely didn’t want children. He was always so good at maintaining boundaries.’

Miles Warren said in a low voice, "We’re not in a hurry."

"She’s still a child herself and needs to be taken care of."

Professor Olek laughed heartily.

"Miles, I finally understand why you were so insistent on returning to the country back then. It was for this little lady."

Claire Kendall’s eyelashes fluttered as she snuck a sideways glance at Miles Warren.

He didn’t answer, instead standing up to pour Professor Olek a cup of tea.

’He came back for a girl, but it couldn’t have been me. We didn’t even know each other back then.’

’It must have been for the one he never got over.’

Claire Kendall lowered her head and picked at the rice in her bowl.

After lunch, Miles Warren took Professor Olek directly to the hospital, while Claire Kendall escorted Mrs. Olek back to her hotel to rest before returning home herself.

That evening, Miles Warren returned from the hospital to Regency Gardens.

Claire Kendall was lying on her stomach on the sofa, focused on her tablet, sketching with a stylus.

Her legs were kicked up, swinging lazily back and forth. The position revealed the lush curve of her cleavage.

Miles Warren walked over, picked up a blanket from the side, and wrapped it around her.

"The AC is set low. Don’t catch a cold."

"Don’t worry about Lindsay Joyce’s surgery. Professor Olek’s assessment puts the success rate higher than anticipated."

"Really?" She sat up straight, her eyes sparkling.

The strap of her nightgown slipped down, revealing the marks he had left on her from his ravages the night before.

She didn’t realize just how alluring she was at that moment.

’The woman he’d waited ten years for...’ His physical attraction to her was almost uncontrollable.

He quickly averted his gaze and nodded.

A thought suddenly occurred to Claire Kendall. "Dr. Warren, I think Julian Wilde, the director at Crescent, is having his birthday today. I’d like to pay him a visit. OCHH still needs to open up some sales channels with him."

Julian Wilde had invited Miles Warren a while ago, but he had declined.

"As for the channels, I can just put in a word."

"I should still thank him in person. We can’t keep imposing on him like this."

"Alright, I’ll take you then."

She quickly closed her tablet. "Thank you, Dr. Warren! I’ll go get changed then."

Claire Kendall ended up choosing a light blue dress. Its cut was simple—not too formal or extravagant, but not too casual either.

When she came out, Miles Warren’s gaze lingered on her for a long moment before he picked up the car keys, his voice slightly hoarse. "Let’s go."

The party was on The Lake Isle, which required taking a boat from a private pier.

The night wind carried a cool, damp spray off the lake, which felt very pleasant.

"The party is on an island?" Claire Kendall was a little excited.

Miles Warren nodded silently.

A speedboat pulled up. Miles Warren grabbed her hand, and they boarded.

"Dr. Warren, I’m not going to fall in! Look over there, the lanterns on the water are so pretty!"

"Is that an egret? It’s huge."

...

The entire time, Miles Warren’s gaze remained fixed on Claire Kendall’s face. He didn’t look at the things she pointed out, merely humming in agreement to each one.

Only when the speedboat docked did Miles Warren finally let go of her hand. His palm was covered in a thin layer of sweat.

On The Lake Isle was a private club that Julian Wilde had booked out for the event.

The outdoor birthday venue was arranged with great style, complete with a barbecue area, an entertainment zone, and more.

There weren’t many guests, just thirty or forty men and women, but the atmosphere was lively and sophisticated.

Julian Wilde was sitting on a sofa, one leg crossed over the other. Whatever he said made the beautiful women next to him giggle.

Not far away, Jonathan Keller was playing cards with a few others.

When Miles Warren and Claire Kendall appeared, both Julian Wilde and Jonathan Keller froze, their faces filled with astonishment.

Miles Warren was on The Lake Isle?!

The two men hurried over.

Julian Wilde’s tone was exceptionally worried. "Miles, how did you get here?"

The man’s voice was flat. "By boat."

"Holy shit, Miles Warren, are you insane?!"

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