Chapter 36 I Am Busy At Work
Christina’s breath caught in her throat as she felt the sudden pressure against her thigh. The warmth was unmistakable—it was Nathaniel’s hand, subtly resting there, an intimate gesture that sent a jolt of surprise through her. His fingers lightly brushed against her skin, sending a wave of warmth and electricity up her spine.
She glanced at him quickly, trying to gauge whether anyone else had noticed. Fortunately, her family was too engrossed in their own conversation, their attention focused elsewhere. But she couldn’t ignore the feeling of his touch. The subtlety of it made it all the more impactful, and she found herself caught between confusion and a strange thrill.
Nathaniel, still appearing calm and collected, didn’t seem to show any sign of awareness that his touch might have startled her. Instead, he continued his actions as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening, placing another piece of food onto her plate. It was the kind of calm confidence he exuded that made everything seem effortless.
As Christina tried to focus on the meal in front of her, the warmth from his hand lingered, and her mind raced. What did this mean? Was he simply being his usual self, or was there something more beneath the surface?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Miranda spoke up, her voice dripping with a false sweetness as she asked, “Christina, how’s the food? I’m so glad Nathaniel could join us tonight.”
Christina forced a smile, her voice steady. “It’s delicious, thank you.” She tried to keep her tone light, not wanting to reveal any hint of the confusion swirling in her mind.
Gideon, sitting across from her, gave a tight smile. “Nathaniel, I trust you’re enjoying the meal as well?” He was trying to maintain a polite façade, though there was a noticeable tension in his words.
Nathaniel simply nodded, his attention still mostly on Christina. “Everything’s fine,” he said, his voice smooth and calm. “I’m just here to make sure my wife is well taken care of.”
The words were simple enough, but they sent a ripple of discomfort through Christina. She wasn’t used to hearing him speak so openly about their relationship, especially in front of her family. There was a part of her that wanted to protest, to remind him that their marriage wasn’t as simple as he made it sound, but another part of her relished the attention.
She quickly pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the food before her. As the evening wore on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted—something subtle but undeniable. Whether it was Nathaniel’s protective nature or his quiet, almost possessive gestures, she wasn’t sure. But she knew that tonight had brought them closer in ways she hadn’t expected.
Emilia’s glare from across the table only served to intensify the growing tension in the room. It was clear that she wasn’t happy with the attention Nathaniel was giving Christina, and the resentment was obvious in her eyes. But Christina didn’t care. In this moment, with Nathaniel’s hand still gently resting against her thigh, she felt a strange sense of triumph.
Dinner continued, the conversations flowing more easily now as the meal came to a close. But as they all stood up to leave, Christina noticed the way Nathaniel’s hand remained close to hers, subtly guiding her through the room. His presence was a quiet, protective force at her side, and despite the underlying tension, she couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth at the gesture.