Chapter 98 Wake Up Darling
Nathaniel’s lips twitched in his sleep as he felt the soft whisper against his ear, his body unwilling to leave the warmth of the bed. He was usually a light sleeper, but Christina’s gentle voice had a way of making him drift back into a peaceful slumber.
Christina’s patience was wearing thin. She had just managed to escape Madison’s scrutinizing presence and was finally alone with Nathaniel, but now they were on the brink of being caught. She wasn’t about to let that happen—not when the night had gone so well, and the morning threatened to spoil everything.
She gently shook him again, this time more forcefully. “Nathaniel, get up! The housekeeper’s about to come in.”
His brows furrowed slightly at her persistence, but he didn’t immediately comply. His hand brushed against hers, pulling her closer, a subtle grin tugging at his lips as his eyes fluttered open, now aware of the urgency in her voice.
“Hmm… five more minutes,” he mumbled sleepily, his arms instinctively pulling her back into the warmth of the bed.
Christina couldn’t help but roll her eyes. She had been prepared for his morning grumpiness, but this was a little much. They were both playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were high. The knock on the door came again, louder this time, and it snapped her back to reality.
“Wake up, now!” Christina urged, shaking him once more, her voice a mix of desperation and amusement.
Nathaniel’s eyelids fluttered open fully, his usual charm absent as he groggily processed the situation. “Fine, fine, I’m up,” he grumbled, pulling himself up reluctantly. “But you owe me for this.”
Christina stifled a laugh, her heart still racing from the anxiety of almost being caught. “Don’t make me regret it,” she teased, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips.
Nathaniel glanced at the door, then back at her, his eyes softening. “You worry too much. Just relax, I’ve got it handled.”
But Christina wasn’t about to take any chances. As much as she wanted to linger in the warmth of their intimate cocoon, she knew better. The knock on the door was no longer a gentle tap—it was becoming more insistent.
“Please, get up,” Christina said, her voice firm now, urgency creeping in. “We need to make sure no one comes in.”
Nathaniel stretched, letting out a soft groan, then swiftly swung his legs off the side of the bed. His eyes, still clouded with sleep, shifted to Christina. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood,” he muttered, though a glint of amusement danced in his gaze.
Christina couldn’t hold back her grin. “I’ll remind you of that later,” she said, quickly standing up from the bed.
Nathaniel, his body still heavy with sleep, got to his feet and straightened his clothes. As the two of them scrambled to look somewhat presentable, the knock on the door grew louder—this time it was accompanied by the sound of footsteps.
Christina shot a quick glance at Nathaniel, her heart hammering in her chest. The housekeeper was right outside.
“Quick, out the window,” Christina whispered urgently. The room was on the second floor, but it was their best shot at avoiding an awkward encounter.
Nathaniel, still half-dazed, glanced at the window, then back at Christina. “Are you serious?”
“Do you have a better idea?” she shot back, her mind racing.
Without waiting for a response, she rushed over to the window and threw it open, the cool morning air rushing inside. The footsteps were getting closer, and the sound of the door handle turning made her heart skip a beat.
Nathaniel sighed dramatically but couldn’t help but chuckle as he followed her lead. “You’re absolutely insane.”
Christina gave him a pointed look. “Just get out before we both get caught.”
In one swift motion, Nathaniel climbed out the window, his hands gripping the ledge as he balanced himself on the narrow window sill. Christina followed quickly, her breath catching in her throat as she realized how close they were to being caught. With one final glance at the door—now ajar—she quickly followed Nathaniel, her feet landing on the ground as she braced herself for the chill of the morning air.
As they stood there, looking at each other with a mix of relief and amusement, Christina couldn’t help but laugh. “That was too close.”
Nathaniel, now standing beside her, gave her a slow smile, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “I think we make a pretty good team.”
Christina’s heart skipped a beat at the way he looked at her, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. “We need to get back to our rooms before anyone notices we’re gone,” she said, her voice now filled with a new urgency.
With a shared understanding, they both turned to head back, careful to avoid being spotted by anyone who might still be up. The game was far from over, and both of them knew it.
As they walked side by side, Christina couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They’d outsmarted the housekeeper, avoided getting caught, and, more importantly, managed to steal a few precious moments together. It was a small victory, but it was one they’d savor for as long as they could.
The morning ahead would be full of challenges, but for now, they had this—this quiet, stolen time that was theirs alone.