The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife-Chapter 182: Kiss it off!

The food arrived not long after... a grilled chicken panini for Logan, along with a lavender latte he looked at suspiciously until Jean pushed it toward him.

"Try it. It’s weirdly comforting."

He took a sip.

Paused.

Nodded. "Tastes like tea had a baby with dessert." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

Hannah giggled. Martha looked triumphant.

And Jean... Jean smiled again.

They talked lightly as they ate. Nothing heavy. No pressure. Just Martha teasing Hannah about her dramatic makeup haul, Logan silently stealing a bite from Jean’s croissant earning a glare and a tiny kick under the table, and the occasional shared glance between Logan and Jean... quiet, full of things neither had said yet.

At one point, as Logan reached across to refill Jean’s water, his fingers brushed hers.

She didn’t pull away.

And when their eyes met again... steady and sure... something wordless passed between them.

He didn’t ask what had happened earlier with Darla.

He didn’t need to.

He was here now.

That was enough.

__________________________

The café had settled into a calm lull, soft music drifting in the background as lunch plates were cleared away and fresh lattes arrived.

"I need to touch up my lipstick," Martha said, standing and smoothing her blazer. "Hannah, come with me. You’re not walking around with that glitter gloss smudged halfway to your cheek."

Hannah groaned playfully but followed. "If I’m gone for more than ten minutes, assume your mother kidnapped me to test every shade in her purse."

Jean chuckled as they disappeared toward the restroom, and the booth fell into a rare, gentle silence.

Logan was still eating... relaxed now, halfway through his panini, sleeves rolled up, tie slightly loosened. He looked... almost boyish like this. Not the ruthless Kingsley CEO, not the guarded man she argued with behind glass doors. Just him.

And then it happened.

Jean’s eyes caught it... a small smear of gravy at the corner of his lips.

She leaned in a little, raising a brow.

"You’ve got something... right there."

Logan paused, chewing slowly.

"Where?"

She pointed lightly to the corner of her own mouth. "Right side. Little farther... no, other right."

He reached for the napkin, but then stopped mid-air.

His eyes lifted, slow and calculating. That familiar smirk curved across his lips.

"Actually..." he said, voice dropping into that teasing tone she was learning to both fear and secretly enjoy, "why don’t you kiss it off?"

Jean blinked.

Her pulse skipped.

"...What?"

Logan shrugged, perfectly casual. "It’s an efficient solution. Less wasteful. Very eco-friendly."

Her mouth parted in disbelief... somewhere between offended and dangerously amused.

"You’re unbelievable."

"True." He leaned an inch closer. "But you’re still thinking about it."

"I’m thinking about stabbing you with a fork."

"That’s fine. But you’ll have to get really close for that."

The moment stretched... delicious, stupid, reckless.

She hated how tempting he could be in moments like this. Not just because of how he looked, but the way he said things... shameless, flirty, and yet somehow gentle. Like if she leaned in even a little, he’d meet her halfway, and never cross a line she didn’t allow.

Jean narrowed her eyes. "You’re lucky we’re in public."

Logan tilted his head toward her, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Come on. Just kiss it off."

Jean stared at him, blinking. "You’re being ridiculous."

"Totally. And hungry. And still waiting."

She rolled her eyes, leaned forward and for a second, Logan stilled.

Her face was inches from his. Her breath ghosted against his jaw.

He smirked.

But just when he thought she was going to play along...

She grabbed a tissue and dabbed the corner of his lips.

"Oops," she said sweetly. "My lips forgot their job."

Logan laughed softly, but didn’t lean back. If anything, he moved closer to her lowering his voice.

"You’re no fun."

Jean shrugged. "Public space. People. Laws."

"But we’re married, darling. We should at least look like it," he murmured, brushing his fingers against hers under the table.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You just want to get your way."

"And you’re pretending you don’t want to kiss me."

Jean sighed... a long, drawn out, exaggerated sigh that said fine, just to shut you up.

Then, she leaned forward quickly and pressed a soft, dry peck on his lips.

Short. Precise. Over and done in less than a second.

"There," she said, sitting back. "Happy?"

Logan scoffed, lips still slightly parted. "That? That’s not a kiss. That’s barely a breeze."

Jean raised a brow. "That’s all I know. I’m not a pro like you."

And just like that... his playful look shifted.

Something flickered in Logan’s eyes.

A darker glint.

Softer, slower.

He leaned in again, this time without teasing.

"Then learn," he said, voice rough velvet, "from me."

His hand gently cupped her jaw... his fingers warm against her skin, thumb brushing against the corner of her mouth... and before she could react, he was kissing her.

Really kissing her.

It was slow and sure... a languid pull of lips that deepened before she could remember where they were. His other hand slid behind her neck, anchoring her as his mouth moved against hers... coaxing, guiding, teaching.

Jean forgot about the café.

Forgot about the soft music, the chatter, the latte cooling beside her.

She could only feel him.

The firmness of his mouth, the possessive pressure, the way he devoured her hesitation like it tasted sweeter than any dessert.

By the time he finally pulled back, Jean was breathless... eyes wide, heart pounding against her ribs like it wanted to escape.

Logan sat back slowly, watching her.

"Lesson one," he murmured, brushing his thumb across her flushed cheek. "You kiss with intent. Or not at all."

Jean blinked. "That was... unnecessary."

"Effective," he corrected.

Martha cleared her throat loudly from across the table, where she and Hannah had returned without either of them noticing.

Hannah’s jaw dropped. "OH MY GOD."

Jean turned scarlet, practically diving behind her latte.

Martha just smirked, sipping her coffee.

"Well," she said, eyes twinkling, "looks like this marriage might be real after all."

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on fre𝒆web(n)ovel.co(m)