Alexander Valentine felt his blood boiling.

Natalie Sullivan's soft body pressed against him, her intoxicating youthful fragrance filling his senses. His breathing grew heavier, muscles tensing beneath his skin.

"Alex~" Natalie tilted her face up, her glistening eyes locking onto his.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he rasped, "Don't tease me."

"Who's teasing?" She pouted, tracing circles on his chest. "I'm like this, and you can still hold back?"

Alexander inhaled sharply, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

In one swift motion, he scooped her up and carried her toward the sofa.

Natalie gasped, then giggled like a mischievous kitten.

Just as he set her down, his phone rang sharply.

"Ignore it," she murmured, looping her arms around his neck.

The ringing persisted.

Alexander fished out his phone—Victor Sullivan's name flashed on the screen, dousing him in cold reality.

"Your father."

Natalie rolled her eyes and reluctantly took the call.

"Dad!"

"Get home. Now!" Victor's voice vibrated through the speaker.

"I'm on a date!"

"What kind of date? That frail Alexander can't possibly satisfy you!"

Her cheeks flushed crimson. "He's perfectly capable! He could take down two of you!"

Two seconds of silence. Then a roar: "Natalie Sullivan!"

"Na-na-na~" She hung up, tossed the phone aside, and flung herself back into Alexander's arms. "Continue~"

The doorbell chimed.

Two black-suited bodyguards stood outside. "Mr. Sullivan sent us to retrieve you."

Alexander gave a wry smile, straightening Natalie's disheveled collar.

"Alex..." She clung to his sleeve.

"Be good. Go home first." He pressed a kiss to her hair.

Descending the stairs, Natalie suddenly whispered in his ear: "Once I steal the family register, we're eloping!"

His heart burned.

Crushing this sunshine-bright girl against him, his voice cracked. "Thank you...for not rejecting me."

"Silly." She poked his chest. "Who dares criticize the man I chose?"

The sunset stretched their intertwined shadows into one inseparable silhouette.