Coaxing Her Back

Whenever I ate fondue, I always liked ordering some bone marrow as a side.

But Hansen said it looked disgusting, so I gradually stopped.

But I vaguely remembered that Landon had always been someone who enjoyed lighter foods.

"You don't have to go out of your way for me, Landon. I'm not picky with my food anymore," I said.

Landon explained, "I feel like having it too. I still remember that place in the cafeteria that made Cajun food at university. Their bone marrow was really nice."

Hearing him bring that up made me crave it even more. That place was really good.

I ate there for four years and never got sick of it.

"Alright then, fondue it is," I agreed.

Landon offered, "I'll go pick you up right now."

"Okay."

Landon took me to a fondue restaurant in Harbor City that had been around for years.

The place was quite old, and it wasn't that large either, but it seemed to do very well.

But with his full suit on, Landon seemed out of place in this setting.

I watched as he carefully wiped my chair with a napkin.

He seemed oddly practiced in handling these small tasks despite being a rich heir.

"Landon, your ex-girlfriend must have trained you well," I couldn't help but remark.

Unlike me, with seven years in an on-and-off relationship.

The only time I felt really cherished was when Hansen first started pursuing me.

After I graduated from university and moved in with him, I felt like a full-time caretaker.

Hansen had a weak stomach, so I learned how to cook and make nourishing soups.

I took care of everything for him like a devoted little wife.

But now I finally understood.

I loved him so much that I had lost myself. I even forgot the simplest rule in love, which was to love oneself first.

How could I have expected his feelings to last forever?

Landon put some food on my plate and glanced at me. "Who told you I had an ex-girlfriend?"

I was stunned for a moment. "Weren't you always with a girl during university? I think you two even grew up together."

Landon laughed. "Are you talking about Janice Lynn? We did grow up together, but we never dated. I don't even like her. At most, I just saw her as my younger sister."

I remarked, "Then you haven't dated anyone over the years?"

Landon slowly rolled up his sleeves. "I've had a few arranged dates and met up with them briefly. Then, I just ended things since we weren't suited for each other."

"Oh, so there was nothing after that?" I lowered my gaze as I recalled his behavior that night.

His words seemed a lot more believable now.

"Christine, it won't happen again next time," Landon said suddenly.

I was confused by his statement. "What won't happen again?"

He turned his face away and cleared his throat.

Maybe it was the heat from the fondue, but his ears were incredibly red. "You'll see later."

Landon scooped up some bone marrow and placed it on my plate. "Eat."

It wasn't until he sent me back to the hotel, until after I had showered, and until he carried me from the bathroom to the bed that I finally understood what he meant earlier.

But by then, I was completely exhausted.

"Landon…" I glared at him, but my eyes were rather misty, which just made it look attractive.

Even the way I called out this name didn't carry any anger to it at all.

Landon lowered his head and kissed me gently. "Christine, did you feel good?"

I shook my head, refusing to answer him.

He didn't get annoyed. He just kept tenderly kissing me again and again.

I couldn't take it anymore. My body was so overwhelmed that tears started to form. "Landon…"

My nails scratched his back as my voice started to choke up a bit.

"Christine, tell me now. Does it feel good?" Landon's eyes were incredibly red from holding back. The muscles in his arms were tense as his sweat dripped down my skin.

I finally broke down. "It does… It does feel good…"