Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 853

Nicholas was still riding high on his good mood when his phone buzzed. It was Richard.

No one really knew what Richard was up to these days-he hadn't kept in touch with any of them lately. But that wasn't unusual. The Warren family was tied up with the government, and sometimes Richard's whereabouts were so hush-hush he couldn't tell anyone.

Feeling extra cheerful, Nicholas answered with a grin in his voice.

"Well, look who finally remembered my number. What's up, superstar? You calling to drag me out for drinks?"

Richard sat in his car for a moment, thinking. Then he just asked, "How's it going with you and Scarlette?"

Nicholas practically beamed through the phone. "Couldn't be better! She was so sweet last night-kissed me first, brought me water. Stuff I used to dream about, honestly. Colin, I think I want to marry her. I've even worked out how I'll tell my parents, how I'll tell the Greenard family-whatever it takes, as long as she's in."

"She brought you water? So you just slept in all day?"

Nicholas didn't catch anything weird in the question. He just laughed, still relaxed. "Yeah, what about it? We were both exhausted. I've been working late for ages, barely sleeping. Anyway, what's with the sudden phone call? You never call unless it's serious."

Richard rubbed his temples, thinking Nicholas was the kind of guy who'd help someone count money even if he was the one being sold.

"Nicholas, maybe you should get your IQ checked at the hospital."

Richard hung

phone, frowning, totally baffled by Richard's

to replay everything from last night, but nothing seemed off. Scarlette

mind to be with

to wait for

hour later, Scarlette

a little awkward-afternoon tea wasn't exactly his thing-but since she'd brought it, he tried a couple bites anyway, then started trailing after

busy lately? Didn't I say you need to answer every single one of my calls? Scarlette, come on, why are you ignoring me?

up some cake and popped it into his mouth, her eyes crinkling with a

from his tongue all the way to his chest. He couldn't help it—he pulled her in and kissed her, not wanting to let her go. Sometimes he wondered if he owed Scarlette

tilted her chin just as her phone rang.

need to sign a contract in a bit. Aren't you going

want

frowned. "No, you

to her job, she

face fell,

S his mouth-and the

on her neck—helped him