Rowan casually slid one of his business cards into Natalie’s bag as he said his words.
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Still dazed, Natalie took a moment before responding, “Me Mattel, I’m sure losing one jacket wouldn’t exactly break the bank for you.”
They sat so close that the rhythm of each other’s breathing was almost audible.
Rowan held her gaze, a faint, barely–there smirk in his eyes “Money doesn’t grow on trees. Spend where it counts and save where you can.”
Natalie’s eyes widened as she drew in a sharp breath. Was he even listening to himself right now?
A moment later, Rowan’s cheeks tinged faintly pink. He casually adjusted the suit jacket draped over her shoulders without meeting her eyes.
Noticing his odd reaction, Natalie glanced down and realized one of her blouse buttons had come undone. Her hands immediately flew up to fix it.
She was hit with a wave of embarrassment, awkwardness, and irritation. He’d obviously seen it. That was why he’d acted that way.
Natalie stared rigidly at the floorboard, the air around her so tense it felt ready to snap. She stayed silent. For now, saying nothing suited her just fine.
When they reached Natalie’s hotel, she practically bolted from the car, muttering a quick goodbye without so much as a backward glance.
Only then did Landon turn the air conditioning back down. At the same time, he tapped a pill from the medicine bottle and passed it to Rowan.
“Time for your medication, Mr. Mattel.”
Rowan was Gregory Mattel’s son, born when Gregory was already older. Frail from birth, he had suffered from a strange condition since infancy–extreme heat made it difficult for him to breathe, leaving him far more sensitive to high temperatures than most people.
Yet, while heat tormented him, his body always ran unnaturally cold, his temperature consistently lower than
normal.
It was a rare genetic disorder, one with no cure. Doctors had once told Rowan he was unlikely to live past 30 years old. Now, he was 29 years old. If they were right, he only had a year left.
That was why the Mattels were desperate to send Rowan after his older brother’s illegitimate child–they needed an heir.
Rowan swallowed the pill and drew a slow, steadying breath.
Landon watched him anxiously before his eyes widened in alarm. “Your nose! Mr. Mattel, y–your nose is bleeding! Is your condition getting worse? I’ll call the doctor-”
“No, it’s fine.”
Rowan’s face was flushed an unnatural shade of red as he took out a handkerchief to wipe away the blood from his
nose.
Landon grew frantic. “Mr. Mattel, how can you just brush this off when it’s gotten so bad?”
Chapter 65
Rowan’s gaze sharpened, his voice low but firm. “Nosebleeds aren’t related to the illness.”
Landon blinked. “Huh?”
Annoyed, Rowan bit out, “Just drive.”
“Oh, right.”
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As the car started, the flickering shadows of trees and neon lights streaked past Rowan’s eyes. Yet, he couldn’t shake the image burned into his mind.
Natalie’s skin looked soft as silk, smooth and supple.
It was the first time he’d ever seen that part of a woman. It was just a quick glimpse, but it was seared into his memory, his heart still pounding at the thought.
Natalie returned to the hotel and wasted no time pulling off Rowan’s suit jacket. When she touched her face, it was burning hot.
She’d never been so embarrassed in her life. She would’ve given anything to be anywhere else at that moment. At least Rowan had been enough of a gentleman not to make things worse for her.
Natalie splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool off. She gripped the edges of the sink and stared at her reflection. Her cheeks were still flushed.
She was beyond done. She needed to distract herself, or she’d lose it.
Then, Rowan’s words from the car came back to her.
Natalie rushed out of the bathroom, grabbed her phone, and dialed Shane.
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