Married To My Billionaire Stepbrother

Chapter 116: Intimacy In the Kitchen

"It’s rare for me to see a clumsy cook, so I like watching it." Justin corrected.

She gritted her teeth, a grip of her hand tightened on the knife.

’Clumsy? I am notthat bad.’ She calmed herself and spoke, "Yet I see you stuffing yourself with food made by these so-called ’clumsy skills.’"

"Despite your skills, the food is delicious. I could eat it every day."

Her anger lessened at his words, and the frown slowly disappeared from her face. But she didn’t want to admit it. "So annoying."

Justin smiled and stepped into the kitchen. She tried to ignore him and continued with her work, but then she realised he was standing behind her, every cell of her body well aware of his very presence.

Before she could ask him what he wanted, she felt his hands surround her from both sides. He leaned down slightly, his chin almost resting on her shoulder, and her back grew aware of the warmth radiating from his body.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice slightly unsteady.

"Teaching you the right way to cut this vegetable, instead of your clumsy technique," he murmured, his low, deep voice echoing so close to her ear that she gulped. His hands covered hers—one holding a vegetable and the other a knife.

Her heart began to race as the heat of his large palms spread across the backs of her hands. She wanted to free her hands from his hold, but he held them firm.

"I... I’m fine with my clumsy skills," she muttered under her breath, acutely aware of how intimate this closeness felt.

"But I’m not," he whispered, his voice low and husky, his breath brushing against her cheek. "Trust me, you can do better."

Natalie let him guide her hands as he explained, "You don’t hold the knife so straight like this. Just angle it a little, and chop like this."

Everything around her seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of the knife touching the chopping board.

Her heart raced like a bullet train, and she found herself going almost deaf because of the rapid thumping of her own heart.

"Understand?" he asked softly.

before giving a weak nod, which was barely

to hold her small hands in his, feeling their softness against his palms, continuing to cut the rest of the vegetable she was holding. "See? This way, it’s more convenient. Isn’t

I can do

heart beating fast. He didn’t want to pull away from her.

She hummed.

agreed but didn’t release

rested his chin fully on her shoulder, his body seeming even closer to hers than before, with no intentions of letting

man. Why does he always do this? I get seduced so

won’t be able to work," she murmured softly, trying to reason with

like this?" he whispered, his thumb gently caressing the back of her

we’ll both end

he replied, his words carrying a different implication, his

a moment, trying not to let him affect

soft voice carried a

"Hmm?"

stay this close

"Why?"

"It... affects me."

"How?"

old enough

"It affects me too."

you better stay

want to

Being hurt by one man was more than enough to teach me not to fall for anyone, she thought helplessly, frowning. "I know you like to tease

from her shoulder and moved back, letting go of her hands. Just as she thought he was finally listening to her, she found herself being turned around swiftly—only to face

inched closer to hers, his intense gaze locking onto her puzzled one.

right behind her. Both her hands instinctively gripped its edge as she leaned

I be serious with you?" he asked, his face moving even closer, his intense gaze shifting between her eyes and

look like he’s planning to kiss me? Nervously, she pressed her lower lip under her teeth, fearing what might