Playing Fire with My Ice-King BOSS: V-Card for One Night, Ring Forever - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Isabelle's POV
"Thank you, Jeremiah."
The simple gesture hit me harder than I expected. In my entire life, no one had ever taken care of me like this—not even my own mother.
Susannah had raised me to be independent and self-reliant, teaching me that I had to handle my own shit, which had made me fearless but also chronically alone.
"Married couples don't need to thank each other for this stuff." Jeremiah moved our luggage aside but stopped when he noticed my eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He walked over, genuine concern etched across his features.
Fuck, I was losing it. I quickly turned away, trying to pull myself together before I completely broke down in front of him.
I'd been fine until he asked, but his gentle question shattered what little composure I had left.
"Nothing." My voice came out thick and choked as I tried to escape, but Jeremiah caught my wrist and pulled me back toward him.
I kept my head down, terrified to meet his eyes, unable to break free from his grip that was somehow both gentle and completely unrelenting.
The warmth of his touch was doing dangerous things to my resolve.
I felt exposed and vulnerable with him so close, trying to twist away and create some safe distance between us.
Jeremiah wasn't having any of it. His arm slipped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest in one smooth motion.
"Shit," I gasped, my hands flying up to press against his solid chest as I buried my burning face.
Jeremiah used his free hand to tilt my chin up, forcing me to meet those intense dark eyes that seemed to see straight through me.
"Why are you crying, Mrs. Winslet?"
His voice was soft, almost reverent, and the way he was looking at me reminded me of that night—when I'd been vulnerable and exposed beneath him, completely at his mercy.
His breathing grew deeper, more deliberate, and I felt his arm tighten around my waist as his heated breath ghosted across my face.
"I'm not crying..." I whispered, my ears burning red-hot, unable to articulate the storm of emotions wreaking havoc inside me.
How could I explain that no one had ever cared enough to pack for me? That his thoughtfulness made me feel precious and wanted in a way I'd never experienced? That I was terrified he'd think I was pathetic for being moved by something so simple?
I bit my lip hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over, trying to maintain some shred of dignity.
Jeremiah seemed to understand without words. He gently brushed away the moisture at the corner of my eyes before pulling me deeper into his embrace, one hand stroking my hair while he pressed soft kisses to the top of my head.
The tenderness undid me completely. I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding him like he might disappear if I let go.
"Do you not like me touching your things?" he asked quietly against my hair.
"No, it's not that at all..." I nestled closer, breathing in his intoxicating scent. "This is perfect. You're perfect."
I felt him exhale in relief, his body relaxing slightly.
"Go wash your face. I have something else for you."
"Okay." I reluctantly pulled away and headed to the bathroom, needing a moment to collect myself.
When I returned, Jeremiah was waiting by the vanity, and my heart did a little flip at the sight of him.
"Better?" he asked, studying my face with those penetrating eyes.
I nodded and took the chair he gestured to, hyperaware of his proximity as he moved around me.
He opened an elegant jewelry box, revealing the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen.
"This is yours, but I thought you might not be ready to wear it on your finger yet." His voice was carefully controlled, but I caught the underlying nervousness. "So I had it made into a necklace. When you're ready to go public, you can wear it properly."
My breath caught as he lifted out the delicate chain, the ring catching the light and throwing sparkles across the room.
As he moved behind me to fasten the necklace, I noticed in the mirror that he was wearing a matching band on his ring finger. His ears were flushed red, and his hands trembled slightly as he worked with the delicate clasp.
Every brush of his fingers against my neck sent electricity shooting through my system, making me shiver involuntarily.
"Why me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it. "I don't have money or connections or anything that would benefit you. I'm just... nobody special."
"You're wrong about that." Jeremiah finished with the necklace, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders as he met my eyes in the mirror. "I'm not looking for a business arrangement. I don't dislike you, and feelings can grow over time."
The intensity in his gaze made my pulse race.
"I did something wrong and need to take responsibility. But if you decide you don't want this, I won't force anything." His voice dropped lower, rougher.
I knew exactly what he meant by "force," and heat flooded my cheeks.
"Aren't you worried I'm just some gold-digger who'll take you for everything you're worth?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Then feel free to con me." His lips curved in a small smile. "You're someone I hired myself, you're friends with Gordon, and I know you well."
"You know me well?" My heart stuttered. Had he been interested in me before that night?
Before I could process that revelation fully, Jeremiah moved closer, bracing his hands on either side of my chair. His face was inches from mine, his dark eyes locked on my lips with unmistakable intent.
"So... can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice rough with barely contained desire.
The direct question hit me like a lightning bolt. Most guys would have just gone for it, but here he was asking permission while looking at me like he wanted to devour me whole.
My mouth went dry as every nerve ending came alive. This was way too direct! He might as well have just kissed me instead of asking and making the anticipation even more torturous.
Should I say yes? Would that make me seem too easy? But we were married, we'd already been as intimate as two people could be...
"I'm... really nervous," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper as I slowly looked away from his burning gaze.
I wasn't saying no, but I wasn't exactly saying yes either. Even though we'd done everything together, we'd never actually kissed properly.
"That's okay." Jeremiah's expression softened as he gently touched my head. "We haven't been together long enough yet. We can wait until we're more comfortable with each other."
His tone was so calm it was almost scary, like he was asking "Did you eat yet?" with complete composure.
God! Did men like this actually exist? Shouldn't a guy approaching thirty be at his sexual peak? Yet he could control himself so well—I would have just kissed him instead of asking!
He left the walk-in closet, and my mind was in complete chaos.
When I came out later, Jeremiah was already back in the study working on documents. I glanced at the yellow tulips on his desk—damn, I kind of wanted to take them back...
Jeremiah looked over at me, thinking I was staring at him.
We both quickly averted our gazes.
I didn't dare linger, just grabbed my portfolio and hurried out.
But then I came back, about to ask something, when I caught him with a small smile on his face.
This ice-cold man had been smiling a lot these past couple days. Something was definitely up.
"What's wrong?" His expression immediately changed, like a kid caught stealing candy.
"Can I look around upstairs?" I pointed toward the ceiling.
Jeremiah hesitated. "This is your home now too."
"Oh..." I nodded awkwardly and turned to leave.
Jeremiah lost all interest in his documents, staring blankly at the first page. He rubbed his forehead, sighed, closed his laptop, and walked out of the study.