A Love Rekindled (Nancy and Bruce) novel Chapter 7

Dinner was bland and unappetizing as I patiently entertained Kate's small talk.

Bruce didn't say a word throughout dinner, nor did he even try to contribute to our conversation.

His phone never stopped vibrating, though.

Instead of getting irritated, Bruce patiently replied to the messages, occasionally smiling. He barely ate his dinner.

It didn't take much to guess who was texting him on the other end.

Kate grew more anxious as she watched Bruce respond to his texts. When Bruce stepped outside, she grumbled to me, "Say, Nancy, why do you think Bruce seems so obsessed all of a sudden?"

I understood where Kate was coming from. In the past, Bruce would never spend so much time replying to text messages—but things were different now.

The Harold family driver awaited Kate outside the restaurant after dinner. She glanced at Bruce, who was still replying to text messages, and said, "Drive Nancy home, Bruce. It's so late at night now."

Bruce ignored Kate entirely.

I came to my own rescue. "I've already called for a cab, Aunt Kate."

Guilt flared in Kate's eyes, but she still left both Bruce and I behind outside the restaurant.

Just when I was about to leave for the taxi stand, Bruce said, "Let's go."

I looked at him in surprise, only then realizing he meant to drive me home.

"Thank you, Mr. Harold, but I've already booked a cab."

Bruce stopped walking and asked sarcastically, "What? Are you worried your boyfriend will have a misunderstanding?"

I didn't insist on taking the cab. After all, I needed to save all the money I could—including the cost of hailing a taxi.

When I got into Bruce's car, I couldn't help but feel that the comfort of luxury cars really was unmatched.

Minutes after I sat in the car, I began feeling drowsy with the added influence of alcohol from earlier. It had been several days since I'd gotten proper sleep.

Bruce noticed this very quickly. He said gently, "Rest. I'll wake you when we reach."

His tone was rather friendly.

I hesitated for a moment before exhaustion swept my rationale away.

After an unknown amount of time, there came the sound of a phone vibrating. Only then did I slowly open my eyes.

I could see how close Bruce was in my blurry vision. He was gazing at me.

But instead of coldness in those eyes I knew so well, there was only tenderness.

It all felt like a dream.

I could smell the familiar fragrance of his bath soap. His presence was slowly enveloping all my senses.

My eyes traveled down to find that Bruce's collar had been unbuttoned, revealing his smooth white skin and collarbone.

He sat there unmoving—like how he often did in so many dreams of mine—creating an incredibly alluring sight. But if this was a dream, why did heat suddenly flare in his cold eyes?

As if he was some disciplined monk who suddenly harbored uncouth thoughts.

Bruce and I silently gazed at one another as the night went on.

But dangerous desires grew within me, unable to be restrained. My breathing grew heavier as my heart trembled.

As my reason left the room, I reached out to tug on Bruce's collar, closing the distance between us.

After all, this was just a dream, right?

As we grew closer, I heard myself murmur, "Baby…"

Bruce's warm breath sprayed across my skin, feeling so incredibly real.

The sensation on my face forced me out of my daze. I was about to pull away when he grabbed my shoulder, stopping me.

How domineering of him.

Wait, this wasn't a dream.

I opened my eyes wide and turned my face away without hesitation before Bruce leaned in.