My First Love Died, Now My Step Uncle Wants Me-Chapter 54: What Does He Take Her For?

’How long has it been since I’ve seen a starry sky this beautiful?’

’Probably since four years ago, after Evan Chapman left. The stars seem to have vanished from the sky then.’

Before she could process it, she was lifted into the air. Caleb Rhodes picked her up, sat down on the lounge chair, and placed her on his lap.

His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her like a small cub. He pressed her entire body against his, leaving no space between them.

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t scared, and a lie to say she didn’t want to resist, but Nina Wynn had her own plans.

She didn’t struggle. She obediently pressed against him, trying her best not to tremble.

Caleb Rhodes seemed to be enjoying this position, holding her without moving for a long time.

They were both lightly dressed, and pressed so close together, Nina Wynn soon felt his body react. The searing heat made her heart pound wildly.

She was very uncomfortable, but he kept her pinned in his embrace. Finally, when Nina Wynn’s back began to ache, she squirmed, wanting to shift her position.

But the moment she moved, Caleb Rhodes pressed her head against his chest, then swiftly lifted her up, settling her astride his hips.

It was an intimate and humiliating position. Her entire body was plastered against his. She could not only hear his heartbeat but also feel the scorching temperature beneath the fabric.

She was panicked but forced herself to remain obediently pressed against his chest, her hands clutching his clothes, palms slick with sweat.

Caleb Rhodes circled one arm around her while his other hand grasped her ankle.

He caressed it for a moment before enveloping her entire foot in his palm.

Her feet, like her hands, were small and soft, with rounded toes. Just by touching it, he could imagine how adorable this little foot was.

And though small, it wasn’t bony at all when he squeezed it. Instead, it felt a little fleshy and plump.

As if addicted, Caleb Rhodes held just that one foot, kneading it repeatedly for what felt like an eternity.

Eventually, Nina Wynn couldn’t take it anymore. With her head resting against his chest, listening to the powerful rhythm of his heart, she unexpectedly fell asleep.

Before long, the butler’s voice came from outside.

"Third Lord Master, your older brother, your sister-in-law, and Miss Crystal Rhodes are here."

Although his voice was kept low, it was enough to wake Nina Wynn.

’Crystal Rhodes?’

As if startled, Nina Wynn was instantly wide awake. She looked up at Caleb Rhodes with her dark eyes, a gaze that was three parts panic and seven parts pleading.

Caleb Rhodes’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He raised his arm to pull Nina Wynn back into his embrace, and she tumbled back into his arms.

Nina Wynn’s voice was hoarse. "Uncle, they’re waiting for you outside."

Caleb Rhodes hummed in response, lying back down with her in his arms, showing no intention of getting up.

Just then, the butler’s voice sounded again. "Third Lord Master?"

Caleb Rhodes kept his voice low, but it was laced with a hint of anger. "Tell them to leave. Say I’m asleep."

At that moment, Crystal Rhodes’s voice came from outside. "Uncle, when did you find such a nice place to hide away? I had no idea!"

Her voice was crisp and carried a girlish charm, completely different from her usual bratty tone.

It was as if she became a different person in front of Caleb Rhodes.

At the sound of that voice, Nina Wynn’s body trembled involuntarily, and she clutched Caleb Rhodes’s clothes tighter.

"Uncle, if you don’t come out, I’m coming in! My dad is still waiting for you. Who takes a hot spring bath in the middle of the night? Are you hiding someone in there?"

After saying that, she actually knocked on the door.

She laughed as she knocked. "It can’t be Miss Lowell, I just saw her today. Uncle, since when did you learn to hide people? Hurry up and come out, my dad is still waiting."

Nina Wynn grew even more tense. She struggled, trying to get off of Caleb Rhodes.

Caleb Rhodes frowned, his voice cold with anger despite its low volume. "Crystal Rhodes, you’re getting more and more out of line!"

The glass room wasn’t soundproof, so Crystal Rhodes heard the chill in Caleb Rhodes’s voice loud and clear.

Knowing Caleb Rhodes had a bad temper, she didn’t dare to push her luck. "Uncle, just hurry out. Dad has something to discuss with you," she said.

With that, she left.

Caleb Rhodes stood up and got dressed. He carried Nina Wynn over to the lounge bed, lowered his head to kiss her forehead, and only then did he realize her bangs were damp with sweat, her palms drenched.

His gaze darkened. He took a tissue and gently wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead, then dried her fingers one by one.

"Nina Wynn, I didn’t know before..."

"Uncle!"

Nina Wynn suddenly cut him off, as if terrified of what he might say next. "I don’t want to talk about the past. Please, don’t let them know I’m here."

A profound look flickered in Caleb Rhodes’s eyes. His finger traced over her lips, and his voice was a little cold. "They’ll find out sooner or later."

Nina Wynn clenched her fists, then relaxed them. She looked at Caleb Rhodes. "Uncle, you and Rosalind Lowell... when are you getting engaged?"

Caleb Rhodes’s hand paused, then suddenly gripped Nina Wynn’s chin. "Nina Wynn, are you looking forward to that day?"

Nina Wynn didn’t speak, just lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

Caleb Rhodes narrowed his eyes, his tone frigid. "Nina Wynn, it’s useless for you to look forward to it."

Nina Wynn kept her head down, her voice soft. "I’m not."

The pressure from Caleb Rhodes’s hand lessened. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Just stay by my side obediently. I’ll give you whatever you want. But if you dare run off or get any funny ideas, I won’t let you off easy!"

The warning in his voice was unmistakable.

Nina Wynn kept her head lowered, not speaking or looking at him.

After a moment of stalemate, Caleb Rhodes released her.

Listening to his fading footsteps, Nina Wynn felt his words were disturbingly familiar.

Zyler Rhodes had said the same thing to her once.

’I’ll give you whatever you want, except for marriage.’

’So, what does Caleb Rhodes intend to keep me as?’

’His personal prize?’

’A plaything?’

Nina Wynn sat in the dim light for a long time before getting up to open the window a crack. She then pulled the sealed curtain aside just enough to create a small gap.

Even though it was late, the courtyard was still brightly lit.

At some point, they had set up a table and chairs in the courtyard. Leo Rhodes and Caleb Rhodes were talking, while Lana Shaw was peeling a pomegranate.

They weren’t too far away. Nina Wynn watched Lana Shaw peel the ruby-like pomegranate seeds, place them in a small, delicate white bowl, and pick out the white pith. Then, with a fawning expression, she held it out to Crystal Rhodes with both hands. "Crystal, have some pomegranate. It’s the soft-seed kind, very sweet."

Crystal Rhodes rolled her eyes and dodged Lana Shaw’s hand. "Will eating pomegranates help me have a son?"

Lana Shaw’s smile froze on her face. She quickly put down the small bowl and looked at the table full of expensive fruit. "Whatever you’d like to eat, I’ll peel it for you."

Crystal Rhodes sneered, then stood up and walked aside to make a phone call. Lana Shaw rubbed her stomach, muttered something under her breath, and tossed the bowl of pomegranate aside.

Nina Wynn stared at the peeled pomegranate for a moment, her gaze then shifting to Caleb Rhodes and Leo Rhodes.