Chapter 52

“I didn’t do it for you. Conrad has done a lot of things that are harmful to the company. There was no way I’d allow him to stay.”

Just when my heart was brimming with excitement, Michael’s words hit me like a bucket of cold water.

So he didn’t come because of me at all, but because he already had the intention to weed out the bad seeds in the company. I guess it was all my wishful thinking.

Feeling slightly downcast, I looked away and responded, “Oh, I see.”

Michael turned to peer at me but didn’t say anything else. My chest felt stuffy; it was an uneasy feeling.

Everything I initially planned to say to Michael died in my throat.

The silence stretched between us. Just when it reached the point of suffocation and I was contemplating whether to get down from the car, Michael spoke once again.

“You asked me out because of this?”

As usual, I couldn’t tell what was on his mind.

Upon hearing his question, I suppressed my disappointment and answered in a monotonous voice, feigning nonchalance. “Yeah. I wanted to thank you, but it seems like that’s not necessary after all.”

“Instead of thanking me verbally, you might as well thank me through your actions if you’re really grateful.”

Michael leaned his face closer to mine after saying this. I could vaguely feel his warm breath, causing my skin to tingle all over.

“What actions?”

I glanced sideways at his handsome face that was mere inches from mine, my heart fluttering madly in my chest as I somewhat guessed what he was referring to.

“Besides your body, do you think there’s anything else that interests me?” Michael’s gaze was fixated on my chest when he said this, and he used his index finger to hook my collar open a fraction in a very suggestive manner.

There was no way I didn’t catch his meaning right then. Is sex all he can think of when he sees me?

“Michael, is sex the only language between us?”

Although we were friends with benefits, at that moment, I hoped sex wouldn’t be the only reason we met up for.

It felt like whenever we were together, my only purpose was to satisfy his desires. The thought of that slightly upset me.

Michael looked at me with a dangerous gaze and countered, “Apart from sex, what else is there to talk about between us?”

His deep, inky eyes resembled whirlpools that were capable of sucking in my soul. My heart galloped as I gazed into his eyes, but upon realizing the meaning behind his words, my face instantly fell.

I hastily averted my gaze to conceal my emotions. Turning over Michael’s words in my head, I grew increasingly disheartened.

He’s right. We’ve been friends with benefits since the beginning. Other than sex, there’s nothing else between us.

“Do you want to try another place today?”

Michael’s deep voice pulled me out of my trance.

A blush crept up my cheeks upon hearing his sly innuendo. Why is this man so interested in my body?

“I’m fine with anywhere.”

I turned my head away, too embarrassed to look at Michael.

Michael studied me with mischief in his eyes, then swiftly put the car into drive.

The car drove toward the West instead of Michael’s house. I didn’t know which place he had in mind, but I didn’t care to ask him either because his purpose was to have sex. Thus, the location made no difference to me.

Several minutes later, I peeked at Michael, wondering if I should voice the question in my mind.

After a long time, I finally gathered the courage to face his handsome side profile and ask, albeit nervously, “Michael, can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?” As Michael was focused on the road, he replied without sparing me a glance.

“Do you… have many women around you?”

I was a bundle of nerves as I waited for his answer. My heart felt like it was about to fly out of my chest. For some reason, I was eager to know the answer to this question.

To my consternation, Michael abruptly slammed the brakes. Only after the car came to a complete stop did he turn to look at me. His brows were pulled into a deep frown, and his eyes were full of wariness.

“Why are you asking me this question all of a sudden?”

Michael’s face was devoid of emotions, but I could detect the slightest hint of annoyance in his tone. It seemed like he didn’t like me asking this question.

Faced with his gaze, I looked away in panic, unable to maintain eye contact.

“It’s nothing. I’m just curious. If you don’t feel like answering it, just pretend I never asked.”

I pursed my lips in frustration, wondering why I asked this question in the first place.

Whether or not he had other women didn’t concern me since I wasn’t his girlfriend. Even if he had many lovers, it was none of my business.

Michael trained his gaze on my face, and there was a hint of warning in his tone. “The two of us are only in a mutually beneficial relationship. There’s no need to understand each other too deeply. You need to get that into your head.”

Oddly, my heart sank to the pit of my stomach, especially when I sensed the animosity coming from him.

My chest constricted painfully, but I endured the discomfort and tried hard to maintain my composure.

“Got it. I’ll be mindful not to ask you such questions in the future,” I said expressionlessly.

“Our only relationship is in the bedroom. That’s it. Understand? And what I dislike most is when a woman thinks she’s entitled to pry into my personal life after sleeping with me a few times.”

As though he thought he wasn’t clear enough just now, Michael spoke again whilst staring into my eyes.

Noticing the warning glint in his gaze, my heart squeezed in my chest. he didn’t need to repeat himself. I understood him the first time. I’m not that dumb.

“I won’t ask anything about you again from now on. I know I’m only your partner in bed. As long as you need it, I’ll take off my pants and spread my legs for you.”

A sarcastic smile formed on my lips as I mocked myself for poking into Michael’s personal affairs. How could I ask him that question? I brought this upon myself.