My Possessive CEO: Trembling in His Arms-Chapter 172: Is There a Reward Tonight?

When Jack Yates returned to the bathroom, Renee Winslow had already taken off her pants with one hand and was lying in the bathtub soaking.

"Why didn’t you wait for me?" Jack took down the bath sponge, squeezed some rose essential oil shower gel, and gently rubbed it on her body, "Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?"

Renee glanced at him, pouting, "How would I know when you’d finish your call?"

Jack chuckled, "You were in the bathroom, I wouldn’t talk for long, at most two minutes."

Renee pursed her lips and smiled, grabbing a handful of bubbles to blow at him.

Under the light, the bubbles appeared colorful.

Through the colorful bubbles, Jack looked at the playful and charming girl, and his heart suddenly itched, an itch that seeped into his bones.

He supported the bathtub with one hand, held her nape with the other, and leaned over to kiss her lips.

However, Renee avoided it, turning her left cheek to him.

Jack’s kiss landed on her cheek, so he playfully bit her soft white cheek as punishment.

Renee twisted her body and hit him, furiously asking, "Why did you bite me?"

Jack looked at her white cheek turning red from the bite, happily curling his lips, "Hmm, the flesh has grown back a bit."

Renee touched her cheek with the back of her hand, "Did I gain weight so quickly?"

Jack’s gaze traveled downward, focusing on the two floating in the water, "Indeed, getting plumper, round and tender."

Embarrassed, Renee kicked him, hitting Jack right in the chest.

Jack grabbed her slender white ankle, tugging it outward with a strong pull, his eyes like fire fixating on the tender beauty in front of him.

Feeling embarrassed by his gaze, Renee struggled with her leg, "Let go of my foot."

Jack squinted his eyes, "Didn’t you come already?" Before Renee could respond, he reached into the water, "Let me check."

Renee immediately bit her lower lip to prevent the lovely sound that even she couldn’t stand from escaping.

-

On the exam day, Northcity was covered with heavy snowfall.

Renee wore a hooded long white down jacket, fluffy short boots, a glove on her left hand, but none on her right because it was inconvenient for doing the questions.

Jack sent her to school, instructing Benjamin Lane and Henry Hayes to guard outside the exam hall.

Now, the whole school knows there’s someone powerful behind Renee, but nobody knows who exactly supports her.

When the exam ended, Jack picked her up and headed straight to the airport, he had business to attend to in Southea.

Renee’s arm wasn’t fully recovered yet, not suitable for long-distance travel, and Jack didn’t dare to take her out again, fearing any accidents.

Before leaving, Jack had Harvey Lancaster transfer a dozen people from the company to take turns guarding outside the villa day and night, and he reminded Benjamin Lane and Henry Hayes to ensure Renee’s safety.

Having learned from past mistakes, Renee didn’t dare to go out casually anymore.

She feared implicating others, and was also afraid of an untimely death.

Staying at home every day, Renee managed fine without being too bored.

Watching TV, reading books, browsing the internet, chatting with Shay, and walking the dog in the yard on good weather days, the days passed by.

Jack was away for over half a month before returning, and then after only a few days, he flew to Veridia, followed by Southedge, and then Riverbend.

After flying around in all directions, by the time he returned to Northcity, it was almost the end of the year.

At the year’s end, Jack was extremely busy, with invitations pouring in for various company annual meetings and charity galas.

Secretary Lowell selected a few important banquets for him to review, but Jack wanted to skip all of them, yet the world isn’t just about fighting; it’s also about social interactions, so he had to attend these engagements even if he didn’t like them.

Renee couldn’t accompany Jack to those engagements. Not to mention her arm had not fully recovered, even if it had, Jack wouldn’t want her appearing in the public eye.

And her current status wasn’t suitable for appearing alongside Jack in those settings.

Though knowing Jack intended well, Renee felt a slight discomfort in her heart — not blaming Jack, but it was another stark realization of the gap between them.

"Don’t overthink it," Jack comforted her before leaving, "Stay home and wait for me, I’ll try to come back early."

Renee smiled and nodded, "Alright."

What she could do now was just "wait obediently for him," nothing else.

After several rounds of socializing, Jack returned visibly tired.

That evening, he brought in a gust of wind and the smell of alcohol as he returned home, and Renee single-handedly brought him a bowl of hangover soup.

Jack pulled her into his arms, looking deeply at her, "Feed me."

Renee could only hold the bowl with one hand to his lips.

Jack: "Feed me with your mouth."

Renee placed the bowl on the table, "Drink if you want to."

Saying so, she tried to leave his embrace.

Jack tightened his grip around her waist, nuzzled her neck with his chin, speaking in a hoarse voice, "Renee, the day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve."

He didn’t need to say it for Renee to know, but when he did mention it, it made Renee realize one thing.

On New Year’s Eve, Jack would certainly return to The Yates Family’s ancestral home for the family reunion dinner.

And what about her?

"Hmm," she gently acknowledged with a smile, "I know."

Being stuck at home for a month, she passed the days by counting them, how could she not know New Year’s Eve was coming?

Jack turned her face and kissed her lips, "I’ll celebrate the New Year with you tomorrow night, alright?"

Renee smiled and nodded, "Okay."

What else could she say?

This was her choice, or rather, she never really had a choice.

Butler Pierce and Aunty Warren had already gone home this afternoon to celebrate the New Year with their families, leaving only Shana the housemaid at Thatcher Manor.

Though Shana could also cook, her skills were average, not much better than Renee’s.

The next morning, Jack called the manager of Kyoro Hotel and instructed, "Bring over a New Year’s Eve feast."

Renee hurriedly stopped him, "No need, it’s just the three of us, not that much trouble. Uncle Pierce and Aunty Warren left all the ingredients prepared for us before leaving — chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables. We can cook a few dishes ourselves, we won’t finish too much anyway."

Jack got up and walked into the kitchen.

Renee exclaimed, "Are you going to cook?"

Jack took out a floral apron and tied it around his waist, replying without lifting his head, "I’ll make you breakfast first so you can taste my cooking."

Leaning against the kitchen door, Renee looked at him tenderly, "Alright, I’ve never eaten your cooking before."

Jack chuckled, turning back to look at her, "I’ve never tasted yours either."

Renee raised her right hand slightly, "Then I’ll cook a dish later."

Jack raised his eyebrows, "Do it when your hand heals."

At eight in the evening, the New Year’s Eve dinner, prepared one day in advance, was ready.

Renee looked at the six delicious dishes on the table and clapped with praise, "Wow, you’re amazing!"

Jack wrapped his arms around her from behind with a smile, "Is there a reward for tonight?"