Chapter 373: Step-By-Step

James and Justin returned to the drawing room after a long time, making the three women wonder what the two had been talking about for almost an hour.

Neither of the men gave anything away as they settled back normally on the sofa.

The three women looked at each other, silently asking who was going to speak up.

Natalie kept quiet—she didn’t dare ask in front of James. Caryn didn’t ask either, not wanting to show any interest in whatever James did, and to her, Justin was not yet relevant.

Julia sighed, realizing she was the only one left. But before she could ask, Justin said, "It’s getting late. We should leave."

"I was about to ask—"

"We can talk once we’re home," Justin said as he stood up. "Are you coming with us or staying here, Julia?"

"I won’t be a third wheel between the newlyweds. I’m coming with you," Julia said as she stood up.

The three left, leaving the two alone.

Caryn finally asked, "What were you talking with him about for so long? Is it about Natalie—"

"We can discuss that in bed," James said as he stood up. "Freshen up and get to bed first."

"Bed?" she shot him a glare.

He hummed, "We need something to talk about while we sleep, since we can’t do anything else yet due to your weak health."

"I don’t approve," she said, turning her wheelchair to go back to her room, warning, "Don’t you dare."

When Caryn was lying in bed, she heard the door unlock and a man stepping inside.

"I told you I don’t approve—"

"Alright, we won’t discuss what Justin and I talked about while we’re in bed," James said as he lay down on one side of the bed.

Caryn, who was lying in the center of the bed, immediately moved to the other side as if she couldn’t stop being close to him and said, "I mean, I don’t approve of you sleeping in my bed."

"You should have been clear about it," he said, making himself comfortable in the bed. "I thought you just wanted to sleep quietly with no talk between us."

Caryn knew he was playing with words.

she cursed in her mind. "Now that you know, get out of my bed."

"I’m already here, and I’m too sleepy to go back to my room," he said and closed his eyes. "Good night!"

"James..."

"Mrs. Harper, if you find it difficult to sleep away from me, you’re welcome in my arms," he cut her off.

Caryn frowned and glared at him. Giving up, she moved to the edge of the bed and lay down with her back to him.

Seeing her sleeping as far away as possible, he said, "You don’t have to be so scared. The doctor said step by step, so I’ll give you enough time to get used to my presence. When we’re to do anything, I’ll let you know in advance."

"Shut up!" she scolded.

James smirked lightly and closed his eyes once more, drifting into a sound sleep.

The next night, the same thing happened. James entered Caryn’s room to sleep.

"Why are you here?" she glared at him.

"Last night I slept really well here," he said and lay in the bed.

She quickly moved to the other side. "Stop making childish excuses and get out of my room."

He offered her a calm gaze. "Well then, my excuse is that I want to sleep next to you every single night of my life. And I’ll be doing that whether you approve of it or not, Mrs. Harper. And I see you’re getting used to my presence quite nicely—you didn’t catch any infections from me," his gaze turned a little intense as he asked, "Shall we try something more to check that fact?"

Caryn sank back into her place. "Stay away from me, you scoundrel."

"Then sleep quietly," he warned softly and lay in the bed. "If you won’t, then I’ll think you are provoking me intentionally so I could really do something with you. You will only make your intentions towards me obvious. But then, I can’t blame you. After spending that night with me, it’s impossible to resist a man like me."

Caryn felt like choking this man and stop him from speaking any more nonsense, but had no option but to sleep—just like the previous night.

She mumbled and closed her eyes.

The next night, once more, James entered her room. This time, she was sure he wouldn’t listen, so she chose silence and lay in her place, facing her back to him, not willing to talk anymore.

James got into the bed, and this time Caryn felt an arm circling her stomach and a man’s warm body pressing against her cold back.

"James..."

"Time for the second step," he said softly as he closed his eyes. "Sleep."

He said nothing more and slept while holding her.

Caryn felt her body freeze in place. Until last night, he had been sleeping on the other side of the bed. And tonight... he had moved closer. Where was this going?

When he was asleep, she tried to move his hand from around her, but she couldn’t. Even in his sleep, he wouldn’t let go.

Caryn gave up and closed her eyes.

For the next few nights, things continued the same way. He would only sleep while holding her, no words exchanged other than a simple One night, James didn’t show up, even when it was midnight. Caryn had gotten so used to his presence over the past few nights that she couldn’t help but look at the clock and wonder where he was.

When the clock struck twelve, the door to the room opened, and James entered while Caryn pretended to sleep, still facing her back to him.

Time passed, but James didn’t come close to her, making her even more confused. This sudden silence and change made her uncomfortable.

She finally spoke, without turning to face him, "Were you busy working?"

"Hmm."

"Anything major going on?" she asked.

"Are you finally willing to have some talk while we’re in bed?" she heard him ask instead of giving an answer.

She didn’t say yes, but replied, "What is it?"

"A matter related to the new global CEO of Harper Group," he answered. "That day, I was talking to Justin about the same. I need to tell you about it as well."

Caryn waited for him to continue, but he didn’t.

"What is it?" she asked again.

"I don’t want to discuss something important with your back turned to me."

Caryn quietly turned to face him, only to find him already facing her. She was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Only until we finish talking."

He hummed and started informing her about it, like a couple having an important family discussion.