Chapter 11 I’ll Protect You From Now On

Morgan raised a brow. He wasn’t exactly surprised at Chloe’s answer since he had probably expected it. However, Howard seemed to be running out of patience. His eyes widened as he let out an awkward laugh. “Why are you turning it down, Chloe? It’d be a great opportunity for you to work as Mr. Dixon’s assistant.” How is she so oblivious? Chloe pursed her lips in response; it seemed like the chancellor wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she wouldn’t be able to refuse him. “It’s fine, Mr. Pearson. Don’t force it on her,” Morgan said kindly as he turned to Howard before turning to Chloe again. “I’ll talk to her about it.” Chloe caught his friendly gaze—his inky, deep set eyes were so profoundly attractive that just one look at them was enough to bewitch anyone. Hearing his reassurance, Howard stood up and left the room in a hurry; Chloe didn’t even notice as he scurried past them for she was already lost in Morgan’s beautiful eyes. The pleasant tenderness of his gaze was nothing like she had ever seen, for it was how she had always longed for someone to look at her. She couldn’t help but drown in his mesmerizing beauty. “What are you staring at?” The voice, which suddenly sounded a lot nearer, was deep and smooth. Suddenly, Chloe was snapped back to reality. Looking up again, she realized that he was now standing right before her—he was just one step away. Chloe jolted and instinctively took a few steps back, but the next moment, a strong arm came under her waist and hauled her in. Her thin, slender body came crashing into his broad shoulders and she felt both shocked and surprised. “You’re so skinny. Have you been eating? I noticed you didn’t eat much the other day.” Chloe’s heart fluttered; she felt like she could fall for him anytime, even more so after hearing his worried complaints for her which were out of concern. She didn’t realize that she was wearing a look of admiration on her face—before she knew it, her eyes oozed with infatuation. The lack of response made Morgan look straight into her eyes. As his eyes that were filled with worry shifted their attention to her face, he finally realized the look of captivation on her face. Her eyes were big and dark like a curious child; they shone brightly, as pure as a stream. He could see himself reflected clearly in her ebony black eyes. Morgan couldn’t help but chuckle, and a wicked urge to tease her rose in his chest as he leaned in closer and closer… Just as the tip of his nose touched hers, he stopped. His lips parted slightly and he spoke slowly, his tone filled with delicious enticement. “Have you fallen in love with me?” With that, his arm tightened its grip around her, pulling her body even closer. The sudden momentum returned Chloe to her senses, and she embarrassingly realized the state of daydream that she was in just a moment ago. She had actually lost her mind staring at a man, and the man was none other than her fiancé’s uncle! Chloe struggled violently at the realization of it, her hands clutching his arms while pinching and rocking them left and right. She forcefully wiggled her body which was practically pressed against his, trying all attempts to break free from his hold. However, she had no clue that her mindless ‘struggle’ was such a painful, deadly challenge for Morgan! He stared at the blushing face in front of him which belonged to the flustered woman who was furiously struggling in his arms. Her scent filled his nose, and his body was growing warm from the friction which made his blood boil! Yet, the perpetrator of such a crime was still oblivious and stirring up more trouble. The look in his eyes took a mischievous turn all of a sudden and he warned her softly, “Keep struggling if you think I’m a saint, but mind you, I have no intention of being one.” Chloe stopped and went still all at once. What he means is that… he’s just like any other man! In the meantime, her cheeks heated up tremendously as she felt a perilous danger looming over her, waiting for the chance to gobble her up the moment she made a mistake. The ominous feeling crept up her skin, keeping her still and wary! Since she was a grown adult, she naturally knew what he meant—after all, she wasn’t an idiot! Chloe’s thoughts made her heart race as it beat fiercely in her chest, and it seemed as though it could burst out of her throat at any second! Her heart had gone berserk and she couldn’t control it any longer. Chloe stood stiff as a rock, for she didn’t even have the courage to look at Morgan. Right now, her senses were heightened and she could feel his every breath as it warmed her cheeks in short, rhythmic pulses. “L-Let go of me first…” Damn it, why do I sound so weak and soft like a mosquito?! Since when have you become so wimpy, Chloe?! Dead silence filled the warm and moist air; the loud tension which came with it clawed at her heart like a restless cat. It was beyond agonizing; it was very torturing! “Don’t move for just a second…” The man’s deep voice rang raspily in Chloe’s ear before she felt his embrace tightening around her. He wrapped her in a bundle of warmth, and it slowly became hotter and hotter; soon enough, her skin itched with pain and she found it hard to breathe. Her nose was filled with the man’s refreshing scent, but right now, it seemed that it was also carrying a hint of fiery amorosity which tormented her heart. “Let me go…” To her surprise, her demanding tone became flirtatious and skittish as soon as the words left her mouth. Damn it! What was that?! Morgan hugged her tight and ignored her every word; he had to keep his composure and maintain his calm. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to control what he was about to do. That beauty of hers was much too captivating—he hadn’t felt this way in a long time. Ever since that day, he had been living a clean life just like a saint, but after meeting this woman, she could easily incite his deepest desires without lifting a finger, crushing his strong sense of self control. Eventually, Chloe felt her body going numb—her legs were going jelly! The pressure on her shoulders became lighter, for Morgan seemed to have shifted his weight. “You’re so skinny that you’re uncomfortable to hold…” At that moment, a surge of anger rushed through her veins. Without a thought, she snapped and said, “F*ck! Did I say you could hold me? You did it without my permission and now you’re blaming it on me?” “Hehe…” He did it again. His laugh sounded a little reluctant and pampering, but it contained a hint of gentleness at the same time. Chloe’s heart skipped a beat whenever he did that! “All right, all right, it’s all my fault. Nonetheless, you really need to eat more, Clo—you’re too skinny. If something like that happens again, it won’t end well for you.” Clo… The way he addressed her tickled her settled heart once again. Her heart raced and she was uncontrollably giddy with glee; she couldn’t quite put her finger on what power this man had over her that could drive her crazy again and again. “Sure, but I’ve practiced taekwondo, judo, and even boxing. Do you want to spar right now?” Chloe said instinctively. Morgan raised a brow in surprise. He never expected a frail and petite woman like her to be talented in all sorts of physical combat skills. Chloe scoffed to herself, knowing very well that a student like her—with no support from her parents or boyfriend—had to know self-defense tactics in one way or another. Otherwise, how was she going to protect herself? Her eyes flickered with hurt, and the fleeting moment was caught by Morgan’s sharp eyes. He felt a stab in his heart. “Be my assistant and let me protect you, Clo. Is that okay with you?”