Being Dumped by My EX, I Marriied His Older Brother-Chapter 16: Spicing Things Up

Nina Thorne’s face turned so red it looked like it might bleed. She quickly snatched the box from him.

She kept her head down, not daring to look at him at all.

"I didn’t buy it."

Nina Thorne explained hastily as she tried to walk around Justin Kane.

He suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Justin gave her wrist a gentle tug, pulling her pliant body into his arms. His large hand settled naturally on her waist.

It was so slender, a perfect handful.

The fresh scent of her shower, mixed with her natural fragrance, wafted into his nostrils, an intoxicating spell.

Justin’s intense gaze locked onto her flushed cheeks. "Buying something to spice things up isn’t shameful. Are you afraid to admit it?"

"Or are you worried I won’t be up for it?"

Nina’s face grew even redder and hotter. She quickly wriggled free. "What are you thinking? It’s a wedding gift from Macy Lynch."

She backed away a couple of steps, putting some distance between them. Her heart hammered in her chest, as if he were some kind of dangerous beast.

Justin knew Macy Lynch was her best friend.

He hadn’t expected Nina to be so easy to fluster, which only piqued his interest more. "Since it’s a wedding gift, we can’t very well let her kind gesture go to waste, can we?"

’He wasn’t going to let this go.’

"She’s just joking around." The tips of Nina’s ears were burning. Without daring to look at Justin again, she fled.

A faint smile escaped Justin’s lips.

’Still a chicken, just like always.’

Justin took a shower and told her he was going to his study to work, suggesting she take an afternoon nap.

Nina was left alone in the master bedroom.

She sighed and called Macy Lynch. "Why would you buy something like that without telling me? Justin almost got the wrong idea."

Macy let out a wicked laugh. "It’s a great gift! It’s to help you newlyweds spice things up. You’re such a blockhead. I’d support you being prudish with Cole Kane, but a prime specimen like Justin? You’re telling me you can resist taking a bite?"

The heat that had just subsided came rushing back.

Nina blushed, thankful that Macy couldn’t see her. Otherwise, she’d be in for another round of teasing.

But then she remembered what Justin had said before—that he’d tell her when he found someone he loved. Her heart sank. "To be blunt, we’re just partners in this. We’ll get a divorce sooner or later."

Justin returned to the bedroom door. Just as he was about to open it, he heard what Nina said. The light in his eyes instantly dimmed, and his long, elegant hand froze in mid-air.

He lowered his gaze, pulled his hand back, and quickly turned to head downstairs.

Macy was incredulous. "You don’t like him? Justin is rich and handsome—he’s the dream of countless women! It’s a crime not to indulge. Don’t let such a perfect specimen go to waste."

’Like him?’

Nina couldn’t answer whether she liked him or not.

Compared to Cole Kane, she found herself preferring the Justin she had once feared. He seemed cold and sharp-tongued, but he was actually thoughtful and gentle with her.

He was like a big brother, protecting her.

"I don’t dislike him."

Nina answered honestly, "He’s considerate of my feelings. He’s a better fit than I expected."

Macy tutted. "Nina Thorne, you’re a goner. You’re falling for him."

Nina just dismissed it as her friend’s usual antics.

"Anyway, take my advice. Feelings can change in an instant. Instead of chasing after someone you love only to end up getting hurt, you’re better off finding someone handsome and kind. Even if you don’t love him, at least you’ll be comfortable."

Macy added with a sly grin, "Of course, he has to be good to look at *and* good to use."

The word "use," in this context, was clearly a verb.

The blush Nina had just managed to fight down came roaring back, and her ears began to burn again.

"Your mind is always in the gutter! I’m not talking to you anymore. I have to work on my draft." Nina hung up, unable to wait another second.

She took several deep breaths, but her face still felt scorching hot.

After a long while, the burning sensation finally cooled.

An unknown number was calling her phone.

She picked it up and glanced at the screen. She had a good idea who it was—it had to be Cole Kane.

She rejected the call, but they immediately called back. She rejected it again.

After that, they gave up and sent a text instead: "Nina Thorne, answer your phone!"

"You injured Serena! She had to get several stitches. What you did was completely out of line."

"After we get our marriage certificate tomorrow, you will give her a proper apology. Otherwise, our relationship won’t last."

The arrogance in his words practically oozed from the screen.

Nina could just imagine how ugly his expression must be, how furious he must have been when she rejected his calls.

Cole Kane had always been completely self-centered.

Especially since Nina had spent five years fawning over him.

Now that she suddenly wasn’t revolving around him, his ego couldn’t take it.

Nina didn’t reply. She put her phone down and went downstairs.

Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, another text arrived: "Ten o’clock tomorrow. I’ll be waiting for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau. I’m already taking the first step here, so you can stop throwing a tantrum."

...

As Nina came downstairs, she heard noises from the kitchen, accompanied by a fragrant aroma.

She turned to look and saw Justin, dressed in black trousers and a white shirt, stir-frying something at the stove.

He had an apron on, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. His figure was tall and straight. Though he was clearly a refined young master from a wealthy family, at this moment he gave off the distinct air of a husband.

The scene was so full of domestic warmth.

Nina wanted to take a picture but realized she’d left her phone upstairs. She had to give up on the idea. It was then she noticed how unusually quiet the house was.

"Where’s the staff?" Nina asked in surprise as she walked over.

"They took the day off." Justin’s eyes flickered as he spared her a glance. "Food’s ready. Go wash your hands and eat."

’They all took the day off at once?’

Nina found it strange, but she didn’t press the issue.

Justin had cooked four dishes and a soup—two meat and two vegetable—all simple, home-style fare. Among them was a fragrant dish of fish fillets in hot chili oil.

The sight alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

Without a word, Nina went to the washroom to wash her hands. When she came out, she looked at Justin with an astonished expression.

"You know how to cook Sichuan cuisine?"

The aroma made Nina’s mouth water uncontrollably.

If she recalled correctly, the Justin from three years ago had been such a "Crown Prince" that he even needed someone else to make his coffee for him.

"I learned from a friend during my three years abroad." Justin brought out bowls and chopsticks, dished up the rice, and then took out his phone to snap a picture.

’A cold, aloof person like him enjoys taking pictures to share?’ Nina wondered.

But Nina didn’t dwell on it. She wasn’t one to be coy, so she sat down and dug in.

Her table manners were perhaps a little unrefined.

When she had been in love with Cole, she had always tried to be as refined as possible in front of the Kane family—and that included Justin—to make a good impression.

At every Kane family dinner, she would pretend to be full after just a few bites, only to go home starving and quietly make herself some noodles.

Now, free from that psychological burden, she ate with genuine, carefree enjoyment.

The flavor of the fish in hot chili oil tantalized her taste buds, and she finished an entire bowl of rice.

It had been a long time since Nina had eaten such a satisfying meal.

Especially after the last few days of recovery in the hospital.

Justin hadn’t let her eat anything with strong flavors, and the bland diet had completely ruined her appetite.

She never expected him to actually cook for her personally.

’Anyone who didn’t know better would think he made this specially for my tastes.’

"This is delicious." Nina put down her chopsticks, her smiling eyes reflecting the image of Justin sitting across from her.

Justin took a napkin and reached across, gently wiping a speck of oil from the corner of her mouth.

His deep-set eyes gazed at her warmly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You little glutton. Why eat so fast? No one’s going to steal it from you."

The gesture was far too intimate for Nina’s comfort.

She froze for a second, then quickly took the napkin from him with an awkward laugh. She praised him sincerely, "You’re a really good cook. This is just as good as any restaurant."

A smile touched Justin’s eyes. "If you like it that much, how about a reward?"

A bad feeling suddenly washed over Nina. "What kind of reward do you want?"

Sure enough, a smirk spread across Justin’s lips, and a suggestive glint appeared in his teasing eyes. "It would be a shame to let your friend’s kind gesture go to waste. How about we..."