Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 33

Marcus pulled her a little closer.

So close that she could smell the faint scent of cedarwood radiating from him, so close she could trace the exact curve of his eyelashes.

Hazel froze entirely.

She felt the man's cool fingers lightly brush against the skin of her neck.

The touch was feather-light and cool, yet it sent a sudden, startling jolt through her senses.

It only lasted a few seconds, but to Hazel, those fleeting moments stretched out endlessly, feeling like an entire century.

Marcus's fingers deftly maneuvered at the nape of her neck, fastening the rogue button back into place.

He withdrew his hand, a meaningful smirk playing on his lips. "Done."

He leaned down slightly, meeting her eyes, his voice low and magnetic, carrying an intoxicating, hypnotic pull.

"Next time you want to catch my attention, try a more sophisticated trick."

With that, he stepped past her and continued walking down the aisle.

Hazel stood rooted to the spot, staring at his broad back. The blush on her cheeks furiously spread all the way to her ears.

She absolutely did not have any intentions like that! What on earth went through the minds of these arrogant billionaires?

She took a deep breath and hurried to catch up. Today was an absolute disaster. The second she got home, she was throwing that blouse in the trash!

...

By the time they finished touring the entire Institute, it was already afternoon.

Hazel hadn't eaten anything since noon, and her stomach let out an uncooperative growl.

It was soft, but in the dead silence of the corridor, it echoed with striking clarity.

Hazel's face flushed slightly, and she pressed her lips together. Why was her body betraying her so much today?

Marcus stopped walking and turned to look at her, a hint of amusement dancing in his striking eyes.

"Skipped lunch?"

Hazel bit her lip and answered honestly.

"I didn't have time to finish eating before you arrived."

Marcus studied her for two seconds before suddenly speaking. "I have a dinner banquet tonight. Do you want to come?"

She turned and headed toward the break room.

Outside, Marcus walked out of the Institute's main gates and got into the black Rolls-Royce.

His assistant glanced at him through the rearview mirror and asked cautiously.

"Mr. Thornton, for the banquet tonight, do you need me to arrange a date for you?"

Marcus leaned back against the leather seat, the corners of his mouth tipping up slightly. "No need."

...

Hazel hadn't expected Marcus to arrive a whole hour early. She had just walked out of the lab, clutching a stack of documents.

She was in the middle of telling Dr. Finch about attending the banquet to represent the Institute.

When she looked up, she spotted Marcus standing a short distance away. His perfectly tailored suit highlighted his tall, athletic frame to perfection, exuding an innate, aristocratic elegance that made people instinctively keep their distance.

Dr. Finch paused as well. "Why is he back already?"

Hazel knew there was no escaping tonight. She turned to the older woman and said, "I have a banquet to attend with Mr. Thornton tonight, Professor Finch. I might be back late, so please leave the door unlocked for me."