Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire-Chapter 356: Unspoken Understanding

Rain opened her mouth to protest, but his intense gaze froze her words. His eyes traveled over her, lingering on the elegant gown that hugged her curves, accentuating her figure. Her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny.

Alexander’s frown deepened as his gaze settled on her neckline. "I don’t like how other men were looking at you," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.

His hand moved to her waist, holding her closer as his lips brushed against the bare skin of her collarbone. "I’m your husband," he murmured, his lips trailing softly but possessively over her exposed skin. "And I should be the only one admiring this smooth, perfect skin."

Rain’s breath hitched as she placed her hands on his shoulders, torn between amusement and flustered disbelief. "Alexander, we’re in the car," she whispered, her voice shaky.

"And?" he countered, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Privacy is privacy, Rain."

His words left her speechless, her pulse racing as his actions and words reminded her of the fierce devotion that simmered beneath his composed exterior. Despite the loss of his memories, Alexander’s instincts to protect and claim her as his own were undeniable.

Rain couldn’t deny how much she liked the way Alexander was showering her with kisses. His lips, warm and insistent, sent shivers down her spine. She could feel his desire, a firm reminder pressing against her. Yet amidst the heated moment, a pang of frustration bubbled up.

"You ran away from me last night," she pointed out with a soft sigh, her voice a mix of longing and reproach. Her words trembled slightly as she tried to suppress the moan threatening to escape. The way he nipped at her skin made it nearly impossible to focus.

She wanted to be close to him, to bridge the gap between them, but something always seemed to hold him back.

Alexander froze at her words, his lips pausing against her neck. Slowly, he pulled back, his eyes locking onto hers. There was a flicker of something, guilt, perhaps, or hesitation.

"That... I didn’t mean to, Rain," he said, his voice low and apologetic. "I’m just... confused by everything I’m feeling."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as though trying to ease the tension. "I feel bad, like I’m taking advantage of you. If you only knew how much I’ve been controlling myself around you."

His confession hung in the air, raw and honest. He looked at her with a mixture of yearning and restraint, his voice softening further. "I don’t want to act on impulse, on lust alone. I know we’ve probably done this before, but... I want it to mean something. I want to do it when I’m sure of my feelings."

Rain bit her lower lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. She understood his words and the weight behind them, yet they still stung. How could she not feel heartache when the man she loved seemed unable to recognize his own feelings?

The car came to a sudden stop, jolting her from her thoughts. Without a word, Rain quickly slid off his lap and moved toward the door, refusing to meet his eyes. She stepped out before he could say anything and hurried toward their bedroom, her steps quick.

"Why can’t he see it?" she murmured to herself, her voice trembling as she wiped away the tears threatening to fall. "Can’t he recognize his own feelings for me?"

She reached the bedroom and leaned against the door, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breathing. The ache in her heart was undeniable, but so was the flicker of hope. Somewhere deep down, she knew Alexander was struggling, torn between what he couldn’t remember and what his heart was beginning to rediscover.

Rain hurriedly gathered her sleepwear and went through her nightly routine, washing away the tension of the evening as she prepared for bed. The quiet hum of water and the soft lighting of the bathroom provided a brief moment of peace. Yet, as she finished and stepped into the bedroom, her heart sank slightly when she saw Alexander still wasn’t there.

She bit her lower lip, her mind a whirl of thoughts. ’Where is he?’ Slowly, she made her way to the bed, sitting on the edge with her eyes fixed on the door.

Last night, she didn’t know if he had returned to their shared room. By the time she had fallen asleep, he was absent, and when she woke up, he was already gone. But there were subtle signs, his side of the bed had been slightly crumpled, a faint reminder that he might have been there.

"I should’ve asked him," she muttered softly, running a hand through her hair. Alexander’s belongings were still in their bedroom, most of his clothes and essentials. He’d only taken a few items to the other room, yet he still hesitated to make this space theirs.

Her eyes flicked to the wall clock. The hands showed it was already past ten. She let out a small sigh and began to shift toward the pillows, ready to settle in for the night. Just as she was about to lie down, the door creaked open. Her heart leaped in response, and before she could stop herself, a smile tugged at her lips.

Alexander stepped inside, he was already in his sleepwear, and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned, giving him a relaxed yet effortlessly handsome look. His gaze found hers immediately, and the corners of his lips quirked upward, softening his expression.

"You’re still awake?" he asked, his deep voice carrying a mix of surprise and warmth.

"I was waiting for you," she replied, her voice quieter than she intended but no less sincere.

"You didn’t have to."

Rain chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I wanted to."

Alexander stopped a few steps away, his eyes searching hers as if he had something to say but couldn’t quite find the words. Finally, he sighed, closing the gap between them to sit on the bed beside her.

"I’m sorry for taking so long," he murmured, his tone unusually tender.

Rain reached out, resting a hand lightly on his arm. "It’s okay. You’re here now."

For a moment, silence enveloped them, a comfortable, unspoken understanding passing between them. Rain felt the warmth of his presence and the unyielding weight of his emotions, even if he couldn’t fully voice them yet.