Chapter 370 370 Naked
It was a battle between the love that propelled her forward without any semblance of control.
In the depths of her heart, she knew she had to find a balance. Her love for Zach was fierce, but it needed to be channeled, like a river guided by its banks. The challenge was to find that equilibrium, to let her love flow without overwhelming her, to be a part of her without consuming her entirely.
"I am thinking of expanding outside the city. It will give our family a chance to gain power explosively. Although it is slightly risky because we will be making enemies many times as fast, we need to go through it someday anyway. So why not now? What do you think? Am I being too hasty in my hurry to save Christina from the clutches of the royal family? Should I wait until the Smith family is strong enough to stand up on its own before venturing out of the city? What's your take on this? What would you do in my place?"
Zach's words acted like a comforting lullaby, gently coaxing her into a state of ease and tranquility. As he spoke, she found herself nodding in agreement, each gesture a rhythmic response to the cadence of his voice. It was as if she had been ensnared by an enchanting melody, lulled into a mesmerizing trance.
Her eyelids grew heavy, like the soft descent of curtains at the end of a play, and she surrendered to the soothing timbre of his words. The world around her began to blur, fading into a distant backdrop. His words echoed in her mind, each syllable like a note in a melodious tune, sending her deeper into a state of calm.
As Zach concluded his monologue, the absence of any response nudged him to glance upwards. There, he discovered Diana, her countenance softened by slumber, nestled against him. Perched upon the armrest of his chair, she had leaned into his frame, her form draped over his arm and shoulder.
A tender smile tugged at Zach's lips at the sight. The room, once filled with the buzz of thoughts and words, now held a hushed reverence.
Carefully, so as not to disturb her peaceful rest, he adjusted his posture, allowing her to find an even more comfortable position in his embrace.
Zach couldn't move around now that he had the beautiful girl sleeping against him. Therefore, he decidedly opted to end his work for the day.
It was only then that he realized how seductive Diana seemed. It was so different from her usual style that Zach was somewhat shocked. She had been a reserved girl for as far as he could remember.
But she had come to his office wearing such a thin layer of clothing; even a fool would be able to figure out what she had intended on doing.
And like the fool that he was, he had ignored her display of affection and her need for emotional security because he was too busy working. Instead of comforting and showering her with affection, he had bored her with unnecessary talk which led to her feeling sleepy while still on the mission.
Regret washed over Zach like an unforgiving tide. He felt an urge to shake himself, to jar his consciousness awake from its drowsy negligence. How could he have been so blind to Diana's feelings? How could he have missed the hints and signs that now seemed glaringly evident?
The thought of causing Diana any pain cut through him like a blade. He cared deeply for her, cherished her friendship, and the last thing he desired was to inflict hurt. He hoped fervently that he hadn't let things drift too far, that he could mend the situation before irreparable damage was done.
In the cocoon of the office, amidst the hush of Diana's sleep, he resolved to rectify this oversight. He'd seize the earliest opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with her. It was time to clear the air, to ensure that their friendship remained intact, untainted by misunderstandings and unspoken emotions.
With renewed determination, he gently rearranged Diana's position, ensuring she was comfortably settled, and then turned his focus to the impending tasks at hand.
The weight of responsibility and the need for careful navigation through this delicate situation propelled him into a state of heightened awareness. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when the equilibrium of their bond hung in the balance.
…
Opening her eyes, the next day, Diana found herself in an unfamiliar space, but she was too drowsy to register where she was. She stretched herself thoroughly like a cat and let out a long yawn before taking a good look at the ceiling. It was different from what she was used to, which meant that this wasn't her room.
This caused panic to rise within her. The feeling of unease only settled once she turned over to see that she wasn't alone. There was someone else in the bed as well.
It was Zach, deep in slumber, his features relaxed. Memories of the previous night flooded back, and Diana's mind raced to understand how they both ended up in this situation. She recalled the events of the previous night and Zach's words, her struggle to contain her emotions, and seeking solace in his office.
Though confusion and embarrassment loomed, there was a strange comfort in his presence. For a fleeting moment, Diana allowed herself to appreciate the tranquility of the morning, the soft sunlight filtering through the curtains, as she pondered the complex dynamics of her heart.
Despite Diana being in such a vulnerable state, her beauty was undeniable. Her figure, her grace; it was alluring, to say the least. The dim light in the room highlighted the curves and shadows that played across her features. Her breaths were soft and steady, adding to the tranquil ambiance.
No man could have resisted such a seductive sight, but Zach had somehow managed to go to sleep even when Diana was wearing nothing.
Diana felt a moment of confusion and disorientation. She tried to recollect what happened the previous night, but it was as if her memory had a gap. Panic set in as she realized her leotard was missing. She glanced around the room, her eyes widening in surprise and worry.
The realization struck her like a sudden wave crashing against her consciousness. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she frantically searched for her clothing, trying to piece together what had transpired in the hazy shadows of the night.
Diana's eyes narrowed, studying Zach closely. She tried to recall if he had seen her in such a vulnerable state. The concern that her privacy might have been breached added to the whirlwind of emotions already storming within her. Zach was still sound asleep, seemingly unaware of her distress.
She observed his peaceful slumber, a myriad of thoughts racing through her mind. Had he seen her undressed? Had something happened that she couldn't remember? Her mind raced to solve the puzzle while her heart was torn between anxiety and the trust she had in Zach.
She lifted the sheet that was wrapped around their bodies and took a peek at Zach's body.
One look and her face turned red like a tomato. Just like her, Zach was not wearing anything. There were no clothes sprawled around the room which could indicate that her wish had come true.
But Diana couldn't understand how she had come to be in this situation if nothing had happened between her and Zach. How could she explain her current condition then?
She didn't know whether to be excited or sad about it. Because Zach was sleeping with her naked but hadn't probably touched her all night. She wondered if it was because he wanted to respect her boundaries or because he just didn't find her attractive enough. The second case was so worrisome that Diana was close to crying but the hope that the first situation could also be true kept her from running away instantly.
She thought about her next move as it was a golden opportunity for her. Both of them were naked and ready to take the next step. She just had to carefully nudge him in the right direction, even a slight accidental brushing of their bodies could do the trick. But she didn't want to be so shameless.
A woman's heart was a complex puzzle. Even though she had worn a thin leotard to entice Zach, she still desired him to take the initiative, to be the one to approach her and not the other way around. It was a delicate dance of desire and expectations, a balance of longing and modesty.
Diana grappled with these conflicting emotions, unsure of how to proceed. The air in the room seemed charged with unspoken words, desires, and yet a sense of propriety held her back. It was a battle between her boldness and her reservations, a struggle that she had not anticipated.
She was now at a crossroads, uncertain of which path to take.
Hesitantly, she carefully lifted the bed cover off her slim but shapely body, cautious not to disturb Zach who was still lost in sleep. Each movement felt like an eternity, her every nerve alert, fearing even the slightest rustle might wake him. The fabric slid off smoothly, revealing her form.
Her feet gently met the cool floor, and she stood beside the bed, her heart beating like a hummingbird's wings. The room felt expansive, the air laden with a strange mix of vulnerability and excitement.
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