Chapter 6
648words
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Go back and change your clothes," he said, gently gripping my arm and pulling me into a secluded corner before lowering his voice.
"Katherine, you're two years older than Kimmy. Just let her have this one."
I pushed his hand away and laughed. "And what if I don't want to?"
Jasper was stunned for a second, then let out a low chuckle. "What makes you think you have the right to say no to me?"
"But I just don't want to."
"If you don't want to, then let's break up."
His handsome yet arrogant face gradually filled with anger and disdain, as if he was certain I'd be afraid of breaking up as if I wouldn't dare to.
"Fine, let's break up." I shoved his hand away. "As you wish."
Jasper suddenly laughed—a cold, mocking laugh. "Alright then, guess I was being too nice. Now get the hell out of here."
I didn't say a word. I simply turned around, opened the door, and walked out with big strides.
After leaving, I didn't go back to my room. Instead, I grabbed a bottle of red wine and headed to the little garden.
The cool evening breeze brushed against me as I sipped my second glass of wine. Feeling a bit tipsy, I sent Jonathan a message.
"Dr. Clayton."
He replied almost instantly as if he'd been waiting for my message.
"What's wrong?"
"My bosom still hurts."
He didn't reply right away. A few minutes later, he called.
I leaned back in the chair and listened to the cool mountain breeze. The nearby crabapple blossoms were still awake under the moonlight. I felt drunk, my vision blurred, and my senses dulled.
But Jonathan's voice in my ear was clear as day. "Katherine, where are you right now?"
"You call me Katie when you're kissing me, but after you're done, it's back to Katherine. Dr. Clayton, you really are cold and heartless."
There was a brief pause on the other end, then a faint, low chuckle.
When he spoke again, his voice was tinged with something softer, something tender.
"Katie, where are you?"
"In the garden. Dr. Clayton, are you coming over?"
…
Jonathan took me to his room. He wasn't staying in the same building as us but in a secluded villa nestled deep within a bamboo grove.
On the way there, I asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid someone might see us?"
Jonathan held my hand, gesturing for me to watch my step on the stone path.
When I looked down, I saw our shadows overlapping, stretched long and thin under the moonlight.
"This place belongs to the Claytons. You don't need to be afraid or worried."
"Who said I was afraid or worried?"
Jonathan turned his head slightly to glance at me. I stopped walking and looked at him directly.
"I broke up with Jasper. So, what's there to be afraid of?"
"When did you break up?"
"Half an hour ago. You were there."
Jonathan didn't say anything.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the shadows of the bamboo flickered across his handsome face.
Standing under the moonlight, he looked just like one of those slender, elegant bamboo stalks.
"Katherine." He tightened his grip on my hand, pulling me into his arms.
"You'd better be done with him for good. And don't even think about going back."
…
The villa had a large courtyard. But the moment we stepped through the gate, he pressed me against the door.
His hands cupped my face, and he kissed me deeply, fiercely, urgently.
In the brief pause when we came up for air, his face rested against my neck, his breath hot and ragged.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers threading through his thick hair.
"Dr. Clayton…"
"Hmm?"
