His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 36

The corners of Lumina’s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

Winona glanced at Lumina, looking uneasy. “Ms. Jardin, honestly, I think the brown one looks good too, but Mr. Royce already owns a dark brown tie.”

Lumina’s smile widened. “Ms. Tatum, you’ve only been here a day or two, yet you already know Mr. Royce’s entire wardrobe?”

Seeing the anxious look on Winona’s face, as if she’d said something wrong, only deepened Lumina’s suspicions.

By the time they finally settled on an outfit, it was nearly eight in the evening—perfect timing to have completely missed dinner.

Cedric kept his head down, scrolling through restaurant options on his phone. His tone was casual, almost indifferent. “What do you want for dinner?”

Even as he asked, it wasn’t clear who the question was meant for.

Winona glanced at him in the rearview mirror, about to speak, but hesitated and stayed quiet.

Lumina, however, didn’t bother with restraint. She’d always been direct. With a slight smile, she asked, “Are you asking me, or Ms. Tatum?”

Only then did Cedric look up, his gaze settling on the elegant line of Lumina’s profile. “I’m asking you.”

Lumina propped her head on her hand, her voice laced with fatigue. “I don’t really feel like eating. Ms. Tatum, could you drive me home instead?”

“Of course.” Winona asked for her address, and twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Lumina’s apartment building. “Ms. Jardin, we’re here.”

Lumina gave a noncommittal hum, grabbed her bag, and got out without so much as a goodbye to Cedric.

She had barely closed the car door when another slammed shut behind her.

Ignoring it, Lumina walked straight to the elevator and jabbed the close button.

Just as the doors were about to seal, a large, elegant hand wedged between them, forcing them back open.

Cedric’s cold, striking face appeared in front of her. “What exactly is this all about?”

His hand tilted her chin up, and before she could protest, his lips crashed down on hers—hungry, insistent, relentless—breaking down every last bit of her resistance and leaving her world spinning.

By the time he finally let her go, Lumina was breathless, her skin damp, her wrists pinned above her head against the door. Her tongue tingled from his kisses, her whole body weak and trembling.

He rested his forehead against hers, long fingers tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear—a move so intimate it sent a shiver down her spine.

“Still upset?” he murmured, brushing another kiss against her swollen lips.

“I told you, I’m not upset.” Lumina hated how easily he read her, how nothing she felt seemed to escape his notice.

It was as if every smile, every frown, every fleeting emotion was laid bare for him.

The thought made her uneasy, left her feeling exposed and vulnerable—especially with the secret she was carrying. It was only a matter of time before he figured out she was pregnant.

As she pushed against his chest, her gaze landed on the deep brown patterned tie he wore, and her eyes darkened, troubled all over again.