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Chapter 30: Chapter 30: My Cat Can Do a Backflip

Ian Sterling pulled the car over at the entrance to Amberly Bay. Lynn Winslow hesitated for a moment; she still wanted to start something with him.

"Do you... want to come in for a bit?" Lynn Winslow asked, blinking. "My cat can do a backflip."

"..." Ian Sterling turned to her, his brow furrowed.

"Really! I swear! I just want you to see it." Lynn Winslow raised a hand, her expression completely sincere.

Ian Sterling was torn, his fingers drumming restlessly on the steering wheel. But when Lynn Winslow placed a hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, the scales in his heart tipped decisively.

"Which building?" he asked flatly.

Lynn Winslow’s eyes lit up. She gave him the address: "Building 7."

Ian Sterling restarted the engine and drove into Amberly Bay. As they passed the gatehouse, Lynn Winslow lowered the window and called out to the guard, "Mr. Warren, please register this car in the system."

Mr. Warren smiled and nodded.

The car stopped in front of Building 7. After Lynn got out, she pointed to the building next door and explained to Ian Sterling.

"Mrs. Sterling and her family live in Building 8. I live by myself in Building 7."

Ian Sterling nodded. His face was a mask of indifference, but inwardly, he was growing tense.

Lynn Winslow unlocked the door with a facial scan and her fingerprint. Kiki was sitting in the foyer, waiting for her.

Lynn Winslow scooped the cat into her arms. "This is Kiki," she said to Ian Sterling, who had followed her in. "He’s three years old."

Kiki stared intently at him, its paws kneading Lynn Winslow’s arm. As if oblivious to the anxious atmosphere between the man and the cat, Lynn turned and unceremoniously shoved Kiki into Ian Sterling’s arms.

Ian Sterling froze, then awkwardly steadied the cat in his arms. Kiki, in turn, extended its claws, snagging the fabric of Ian’s suit jacket.

But Lynn seemed not to notice. She changed her shoes and headed for the living room, leaving behind Kiki—ears flattened in alarm—and an even more anxious Ian Sterling.

Ian Sterling bent over slightly, and Kiki leaped from his arms. By the time Lynn returned with a bag of cat treats, she saw the large snag in Ian’s suit jacket and looked surprised.

"Oh, I’m so sorry. Kiki isn’t normally like this. He was perfectly fine when I left him with Zane Lancaster. He’s probably just a little nervous since he’s never met you."

Ian Sterling’s lips pressed into a thin line. He felt a flash of irritation at the mention of Zane’s name.

Lynn Winslow pulled him into the living room and pushed him down onto the sofa. "Wait here a second," she said. "I’m going to go change into something else."

Ian Sterling watched her go, then dropped his gaze. ’I shouldn’t have come in here.’ He was already starting to regret it.

Kiki watched him cautiously from a distance. Deciding he wasn’t a threat, the cat crept toward the sofa, finally hopping up to settle beside Ian Sterling’s leg.

It meowed a couple of times before Ian Sterling finally looked down at it.

Ian Sterling reached out and slowly rested a hand on the cat’s back. When it didn’t shy away, he began to pet it more confidently.

After some time, Lynn Winslow came downstairs. Ian Sterling heard her footsteps and looked up. For a moment, his mind went completely blank.

Lynn Winslow was wearing a black slip dress. The hem ended high on her thighs, and the lacy trim framed skin that was pale and delicate.

Ian Sterling forced himself to look away, his fingers clenching into fists. A vein pulsed in his neck, and his prominent Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

Lynn Winslow fought back a smile. Feigning concern, she sat down beside him. "What’s wrong? Why is your face so red all of a sudden? Are you running a fever?"

As she spoke, she reached out to feel his forehead.

As she raised her arm, the strap on her other shoulder slipped down, revealing a soft, pale curve of skin. Lynn acted as if she hadn’t noticed, leaning in even closer.

Ian Sterling jerked back suddenly. Caught off guard, Lynn stumbled and fell against his chest.

Lynn Winslow looked up at him, feeling his whole body go rigid as his face flushed an even deeper red.

"Why are you avoiding me? I just want to feel your forehead and see if you have a fever." Lynn insisted on playing the part of the innocent, leaning against him to stroke his forehead.

Ian Sterling grabbed her arm, his words tight with anger. "Lynn Winslow, you’re doing this on purpose."

"On purpose?" Lynn tilted her head, her expression one of pure, childish innocence. Ian knew her too well. He tried to stand up and get away.

But before he could, Lynn swung a leg over his lap to straddle him, burying herself against his chest and deliberately rubbing against him. It was then that Ian realized with a jolt—she wasn’t wearing anything underneath?!

He had just started to push her away when Lynn grabbed his hand and let out a soft, coquettish moan, making his entire body go rigid.

"Baby, I’ve missed you so much. I think about you every single night." Lynn didn’t bother hiding her desire.

To Ian, the woman in his arms felt just like a figure from his dream the night before—a tangle of seaweed, pulling him under, making it impossible to escape.

"Lynn. Winslow." He bit out her name, each syllable a warning. But she seemed not to hear it, her hand gently stroking his face, her eyes full of longing.

As her lips met his, Lynn slowly opened her eyes, meeting Ian’s wide, startled gaze.

Nearby, Kiki suddenly meowed a few times, trotting closer to stare at the pair with curiosity.

Lynn straightened up, her voice suddenly shy. "Let’s go upstairs, okay?"

But at that moment, Ian Sterling suddenly shoved her away. Lynn tumbled onto the carpet, completely unprepared, and stared up at him in confusion.

"I’m leaving." Ian tossed the words out coldly and turned to go. Lynn scrambled up and caught him, wrapping her arms tightly around him from behind.

"I miss you so much, and I know you miss me, too. Why won’t you get back together with me?" Lynn bit her lip. She could feel that he had a soft spot for her; she’d been absolutely certain of it at the banquet earlier that night.

What she wasn’t sure about was whether he was acting out of lingering affection for their relationship from three years ago, or because he was genuinely unable to forget her.

Even though Lynn knew that in the original novel, the Ian Sterling of this moment hadn’t forgotten her, she couldn’t be certain. She was afraid her own self-awareness might have changed the world of the story.

"Lynn, I admit it. I can’t forget you. And I always go soft when you get close, despite your scheming. But I don’t want to be with you anymore. Three years ago, when I was the one begging, didn’t you tell me you would never regret your decision? Now that you’ve changed your mind, am I just supposed to take you back, no questions asked?" Ian’s voice was low and even. He reached back, prying her fingers off him one by one. "I’m petty," he said coldly. "You know that."

Lynn bit her lip. "I know you don’t want to be with me," she whispered, "but right now, you’re..."

Ian Sterling glanced down at himself, then a humorless smile touched his lips. "What’s this? Did Miss Winslow suddenly get an itch she needed scratched, or are you looking to cultivate a long-term, no-strings-attached arrangement?"

Lynn’s head was already fuzzy with desire. It took her a long moment to process what he’d said. Finally, she replied blankly, "I only want you."

Ian had to admit her words stirred something in him. But he was afraid that if he fell for her again, he’d never be able to get out. Once bitten, twice shy. He was terrified of getting lost in her spell again, only to be ruthlessly cast aside in the end.

"I don’t want you," he said coldly.

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