Chapter 3 Good Girl

Karlee stared at the half-burned fish in the pan, feeling down and ready to start over when she heard a deep voice from behind. "Cooking something?"

Karlee couldn't bring herself to look at Brian. "I just wanted to do this to thank you for buying all that stuff. But it didn't quite work out..."

Brian laughed softly. "Looks alright to me."

Karlee's cheeks turned red. "Sorry, cooking isn't really my thing."

She remembered he had mentioned wanting a caring wife, but here she was, messing it up.

"No worries." Brian casually took off his jacket and handed it to her, rolling up his sleeves and revealing his toned arms. "I can cook. Let me do it."

Karlee was stunned. Who would have thought the big boss of the Olson Group could cook?

In no time, dinner was ready.

Brian pulled out a chair for Karlee and gestured for her to sit, then served her a bowl of clam chowder. "Try this."

Karlee took a spoonful and was surprised by how good it tasted.

Suddenly, she felt Brian's fingers on her cheek. She froze, locking eyes with him. Realizing she now smelled of cooking oil and smoke, she felt awkward. Was he going to...

As he moved closer, Karlee held her breath and instinctively closed her eyes.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and for a moment, time seemed to stop.

But what she had expected didn't happen.

Instead, she heard Brian's low chuckle. Then, she felt something gently wiping her cheek. Karlee opened her eyes to see him holding a damp tissue, wiping her face.

Brian hid the mockery in his eyes and gently cleaned her face, his voice soft. "How did you manage to get all this on you while cooking?"

Only then did Karlee realize what he was doing. She tried to pull away, but he gently held her chin.

"It's not all off yet. Why are you pulling away?" he said.

He didn't seem to mind.

"I..." Karlee's ears were hot, and she muttered, "I can do it myself."

She reached for the tissue, but Brian smiled. "It's done," he said.

Karlee didn't know what to say, and Brian playfully tapped her nose. "Alright, let's eat."

Brian sat across from her, his every move showing his grace. Karlee took another bite of the clam chowder. It was really good.

Today was their first day living together, and such an incident made Karlee feel pretty embarrassed. As they finished eating, she spoke up. "Mr. Olson, I..."

"What did you just call me?" Brian asked, wiping his mouth, his captivating gaze fixed on her. Karlee realized she couldn't call him Mr. Olson anymore.

"Bri..." she began.

Before she could finish, Brian had already stood up, stepping around the table to scoop her up into his arms and let her sit on his lap.

They were so close now, and since he had loosened a few buttons of his shirt while cooking, Karlee could see not only his bobbing Adam's apple but also his collarbone.

"I..." Karlee's breathing quickened. She wondered why such a captivating man had never married. Surely, if he wished, countless women would vie for his attention.

"Mrs. Olson." Brian's hand was warm on her waist, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Shouldn't you know how to address your husband?"

His face edged closer, his lips nearly brushing hers.

Karlee held her breath, her voice trembling. "Hon... Honey..."

She didn't realize her cheeks were already burning.

"Good girl." Brian seemed pleased, leaning in to seal his approval with a kiss, but he was interrupted by Dennis at the door. "Mr. Olson, there's urgent news from the Olson Mansion. Your grandmother isn't feeling well..."

Their tender moment was disrupted, leaving Karlee feeling a pang of disappointment. Brian ruffled her hair affectionately. "You should get some rest. No need to wait for me. I'll take you to meet my grandmother in a few days."

Karlee knew she couldn't interfere in the affairs of Brian's family.

She bit her lip and nodded, watching him leave.

In the back of a luxurious car, Brian scrutinized the surveillance footage, his brow furrowed. Dennis, seated beside him, said, "Mr. Olson, if Ms. Elliott is indeed a spy, she'll likely try to contact Laurence. Should we intercept their communications?"

Tension always simmered between Brian and Laurence, especially now, with Brian's grandmother's health in decline. Laurence seemed eager to stir up trouble.

Employing such a seductive woman was clearly designed to harm Brian.

Brian's expression was icy, devoid of any tenderness.

"No need," he stated coolly. He watched the screen, a chilling smile curving his lips. "It's more entertaining to play with the mouse than to kill it outright. This woman is intriguing. I'll entertain myself with her for a while."