She's Too Busy Winning to Watch Him Cry novel Chapter 370

"Let's just eat here," Lyra said quietly. "Have someone bring it up. I don't want to go out."

Rowan lived a very disciplined lifestyle and practically never ate takeout. Hearing her request, his hand stalled slightly. He looked down at her, remaining silent for a long moment.

His dark, calculating gaze easily cut through her excuses, immediately spotting the defensive anxiety hiding in her eyes. She was terrified of running into someone they knew.

After a brief pause, his low, soothing voice broke the silence as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Keeping us a secret is better for you right now anyway."

Lyra shot him a look of pure shock but kept her mouth shut.

Rowan took her slender, slightly cold hand, feeling her body lock up for a few seconds. "Come on. I know a completely private spot called The Chef's Nook. No one knows about it. We can go sneak around."

Lyra didn't argue. She let him lead her out of the executive suite. The top floor was completely empty, save for Andrea and Wesley.

"You two are done for the day," Rowan announced.

Realizing the boss was driving himself, Wesley let out a massive, silent sigh of relief and quickly agreed, practically sprinting to the elevators.

Rowan drove Lyra to the secluded, exclusive restaurant. Despite the privacy, she was still visibly on edge.

Rowan had caught onto the pattern. Around her family, Lyra was a sweet, perfect angel. Around him, she was a defensive, hissing kitten with her claws out. The fact that she was actually sitting across from him right now, even if she looked miserable, was a rare victory.

A procession of exquisite dishes soon covered the table, filling the private room with incredible aromas. Rowan picked up the serving forks, carefully placing a portion onto her plate.

"Eat up. You've lost weight recently."

"Mhm."

The meal was agonizingly slow and quiet, with Rowan carrying the entire conversation. Lyra's mind was miles away from the expensive food. By the time they finally left the restaurant, the night sky was pitch black.

On the drive back to Blackwood Manor, Rowan suddenly pulled over by a brightly lit convenience store. He stepped out, walked inside, and grabbed several boxes of extra-large condoms, paying for them all at once.

Once they reached the master bedroom, Rowan sat down next to her on the edge of the mattress, his gaze locking onto hers with predatory intent. "You shower here. I'll use the guest bathroom."

Lyra gave a stiff nod.

The second Rowan stepped out of the room, Lyra frantically dug into her designer clutch, pulled out her phone, flipped the ringer to completely silent, and shoved it deep under her pillow.

She went into the master bath and quickly washed up.

She had barely stepped back into the bedroom when Rowan walked through the door. The faint heat of the shower still clung to him. His broad, heavily muscled chest was bare, a single white towel slung low around his waist. He looked ridiculously relaxed, radiating a deeply mature, suffocatingly aggressive dominance.

Before Lyra could even speak, he lunged forward, his weight carrying them both down onto the massive, plush bed. The mattress dipped heavily beneath them, the air instantly turning thick with undeniable tension.

Lyra brought her hands up, pressing them flat against his bare chest, trying desperately to halt his advance.