Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Do you want to check?
“Boss, did you hear that?”

Sean came running toward Kalix like an overexcited child who had just won a lottery. His grin stretched from ear to ear, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

But Kalix wasn’t fooled. He knew Sean too well; this wasn’t excitement. It was an act, a desperate attempt to convince him of something.

“Miss Winter wishes to see you home,” Sean announced, his voice full of expectation as he stared at Kalix, waiting for a reaction.

Silence.

Kalix didn’t even spare him a glance.

“Idiot,” Stanley muttered from a distance, shaking his head at his hopeless effort.

Sean had been whining non-stop ever since Kalix had ruined his lunch date with Gina. And as if that wasn’t enough, Kalix had dragged them to the base, deciding to spend his evening brooding in silence, drink in hand.

Both Sean and Stanley had expected things to change after Winter’s arrival in their boss’s life. Maybe he’d cut down on the late-night drinking. Maybe he’d stop sulking.

But clearly, nothing had changed.

If anything, he was worse.

Sean’s smile faltered slightly, his gaze darting toward Stanley for backup, but all he got was another resigned shake of the head.

‘This wasn’t going to be easy.’Sean mentally cried as his grand plan failed to charm his boss.

But just when they thought nothing would work on Kalix, he suddenly slammed his empty glass onto the table and stood up.

“I’m heading home.”

His words left both Sean and Stanley stunned.

Sean’s face instantly lit up with victory until Kalix stopped right next to him.

“And next time,” Kalix said coolly, “refrain from lying to me. Or else, I’ll make sure your love life never skyrockets.”

The smug grin vanished from Sean’s face in an instant as he watched Kalix walk away, his stomach twisting at the unspoken threat.

Meanwhile, Winter stood by the balcony, waiting for Kalix.

She had quickly figured out that Sean had likely pretended to speak to her just to lure Kalix home, and despite herself, she admired his thoughtfulness.

Another minute passed. Then the deep rumble of an engine filled the air.

Kalix’s car pulled through the gates, coming to a smooth stop beneath the shelter.

He was home.

Winter finally let out a quiet sigh of relief and stepped back into her room, her mind torn between whether or not to approach Kalix.

Despite Sean’s little stunt on the phone, she knew it would be awkward to face Kalix right away.

She lingered by the door, hesitating.

But then she reminded herself this wasn’t just about Sean’s words. This was about what they had discussed at the hospital.

She needed answers.

“I’ll just ask him about the attacker and leave.”

With her mind made up, Winter took a deep breath and swiftly opened the door.

“Ah!” Winter gaped, finding Kalix standing outside her room, his face devoid of any emotion.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, trying to calm her pounding heart.

She hadn’t expected Kalix to appear at her door instead of going to his own room. But the moment he opened his mouth to respond, everything made sense.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Winter pressed her lips together, realizing the reason for his presence. ‘He must’ve seen the lights on,’ she assumed. But then another thought struck her.

“Have you been drinking?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Hmm, a little,” he admitted with a shrug. “But don’t worry, I won’t bother you. I just came to see Star and then I’ll leave.”

Winter blinked as she watched Kalix walk past her and head to the bed. Leaning down, he pressed a quick kiss to Seren’s forehead before straightening up to leave.

Something about his actions unsettled her, and just as Kalix was about to walk out, Winter stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

“Are you avoiding me?” she asked, unable to ignore his indifference any longer.

She could’ve given it another name, found an excuse for it, but she didn’t want to. Because deep down, she knew the truth, and that was that he was ignoring her.

Kalix noticed how persistent Winter was at this moment, but he was too lazy to make it obvious when she was acting so clueless.

“Why would you think I’m avoiding you, Angel?” He asked, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed intently on her.

“Did you expect me to come to you when you so clearly drew a line of professionalism between us?” His tone was calm yet taunting.

Winter cleared her throat awkwardly as Kalix threw her own words from the storeroom back at her.

“But we’re not in the office anymore,” she muttered, sneaking a glance at him.

Kalix chuckled, slowly straightening up.

“You still haven’t answered me. Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked again, brushing past her remark entirely.

Winter opened and closed her mouth, hesitating. But the moment she noticed the exhaustion in his eyes, she swallowed her words and decided not to push it.

“I-I… I was…” She stuttered, quickly looking away from his intense gaze. “Waiting for you,” she finished in a mere whisper.

Kalix heard it clearly. And for the first time that night, the sadness in his eyes seemed to waver. His expression softened.

Without warning, he leaned closer, resting his head on her shoulder.

“I suddenly feel dizzy,” he murmured.

Winter stiffened, standing clueless.

The corners of his lips curled into a mischievous smile, but before she could catch on, the scent of alcohol hit her. He was drunk.

“L-let me help you to your room,” she said quickly, hauling him onto her shoulder and guiding him inside.

Kalix continued to pretend, shamelessly taking advantage of her kindness. But what else could he do when he was suddenly so happy hearing her words?

Earlier, he had thought Sean was exaggerating, lying, even about Winter’s call. But now that she had confirmed she had been waiting for him, his heart swelled with pride.

‘After all, she wasn’t entirely oblivious to me,’ he mused as she helped him settle on the bed.

Winter hesitated, watching him closely. Something felt off. Just moments ago, he had been perfectly fine intimidating her as usual and now, all of a sudden, he was dizzy?

‘Strange.’

Still, she didn’t dwell on it for long. Shaking off her suspicions, she quickly grabbed a glass of water from the side table.

“Here, drink some water. You’ll feel better,” she said, holding the glass out to him.

Kalix, however, made no effort to take it. Instead, he grinned lazily.

“Help me drink it,” he requested, a foolish smirk tugging at his lips.

Winter stared at him in disbelief. Was he really that helpless, or was he just playing with her?

A part of her wanted to call him out, but another part, perhaps guilt, made her go along with it. After all, she had pushed him away all day, keeping him at a distance. Maybe this was her way of making up for it.

Letting out a deep breath, she walked over and sat beside him on the bed.

“Here, open your mouth,” she instructed, bringing the glass to his lips.

Like a clumsy drunk, he slowly sipped the water, his gaze never leaving hers.

Then, as if snapping out of it, Winter narrowed her eyes.

“Are you sure you’re drunk and not just pretending?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Kalix stilled, his eyes locking onto hers, a knowing glint in them.

“You want to check?” he murmured, tilting his head slightly.

“Huh?”

Winter blinked, trying to decipher his words.

But before she could react, Kalix swiftly snatched the glass from her hands, setting it back on the side table. And in one smooth motion, he grabbed her, effortlessly pulling her onto his lap, her legs resting on either side of him.

Winter was still processing everything when his lips claimed hers, wiping away all her thoughts as he kissed her deeply, passionately.

Her breath hitched, and her eyes fluttered closed as his mouth moved against hers, tasting her like she was the sweetest indulgence he had ever known. But instead of satisfying her, it only made her crave him more.

Instinctively, Winter wrapped her arms around his neck, adjusting herself in his lap. She pressed closer, matching his urgency with her own, surrendering to the heat between them.

Kissing him had become second nature, like a habit she never questioned. And why would she? His taste was far more intoxicating than any dessert she had ever known.

When she parted her lips, he wasted no time, slipping his tongue inside, tangling with hers in a desperate, heated dance. They tasted and explored, devoured like two parched souls finally finding an oasis in a scorching desert.

The faint bitterness of alcohol lingered on his tongue, and for a fleeting moment, Winter felt a little dizzy herself.

‘So he wasn’t lying earlier,’ she mused hazily, but the thought barely registered before she was lost in him again, giving in without restraint.

Minutes passed before they finally broke apart, their breaths mingling, chests rising and falling in sync. But even then, Kalix refused to let her go.

“Do you believe me now?” He murmured, his voice thick and raspy against her lips.

Flustered, Winter buried her face in the crook of his neck, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“hmm”