CHAPTER 146: WHEN KISS BECOMES A WEAPON
James would've smiled at her statement on a normal occasion, but this wasn't a normal occasion. "Diana, I said you are not driving me. And that is final."
Diana flinched, her brows furrowing as she turned to Jared for support. But Jared only shook his head with pity in his eyes. She glanced at Grandma next, her head was bowed, pretending not to hear.
She turned back to James, eyes glinting.
"Well, just say you don't want me to see you off at the airport. You were never going to anyway. You were already ready to leave without telling me. I guess I'm the one just forcing this whole thing. And seeing that now, I think I was wrong."
She stood up, snatched her bags, and stormed toward the door.
"Diana, where are you going?"
"To work. Where I should be."
She yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind her, heels clacking furiously down the steps. But as she missed one of the stairs, her body tilted, only to be caught sharply by a strong arm. She gasped, heart thudding, before lifting her gaze and meeting James's furious face.
"Where do you think you're going in such a hurry? What if you had fallen?" he barked.
"Well, I didn't, did I?" she snapped, fire flashing in her eyes.
James clenched his jaw, the pulse in his temple ticking like a bomb. Without a word, he grabbed her waist, yanked her forward, and crashed his lips onto hers.
Diana gasped into his mouth, arms instinctively circling his neck. His lips devoured hers like punishment; deep, hard, and unapologetic. She moaned, parting her lips wider for him, giving in. Her hands fisted the back of his shirt, desperate to pull him closer. He tasted like control, heat, and danger and she wanted all of it.
But just when her knees began to weaken and her body started melting against his, he pulled away.
Her lips were swollen, breath unsteady, chest rising and falling with frustration. Her eyes searched his, questioning, needy.
James leaned in close, his voice a rough whisper in her ear. "Next time you slam a door on me, I'll remind you whose name you scream at night."
Then he stepped back, jaw tight, leaving her standing there; panting, shaking, and dying for more.
"I'm sorry you felt I was going to leave without telling you," James said, his tone softening as he stared into her eyes. "I was actually waiting for you to come down."
Diana's breath hitched, her gaze faltering for a second before returning to his face.
"Baby, my meeting was by six on the dot," he continued, "so if I wanted to leave, I'd have left since five. I've been awake since then... waiting for you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I even had to push the meeting to the afternoon. Angry investors cursing me out and all… but I didn't care. I just wanted to see you first."
"So you weren't really going to leave in an hour then?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"Babe, it's a private jet," he said with a half-smirk. "I can leave whenever I want. Perks of ruling the U.K. economy."
She blinked. "Then why did you say that?"
James sighed, brushing a hand over his head. "Because I didn't want you to come with me to the airport. I might've been forced to carry you into the plane and lock you beside me."
Diana's lips parted in surprise. "Really?"
"Partially," James said, his lips twitching into a soft grin. "I thought if I said that, you'd feel bad and just tell me to go. Who knew you'd get even more upset instead?"
Diana scoffed lightly but kept listening.
"It's not like I don't want you to come with me, Diana," he said, voice dropping lower. "But… one, I'm scared for you. There's been a threat on your life. I can handle myself, but you…" He exhaled sharply. "You can't....not when you're with me. And if something happens to you, and I can't protect you… I'll never forgive myself."
Her eyes softened as his words dug into her chest like a dagger wrapped in love.
"Second," James added, "I haven't allowed a woman drive me for as long as I can remember. After my last experience, I swore off it. I just... can't."
Diana nodded slowly in understanding, reaching for his hand. "Then take me into the car," she whispered. "Let Leo drive. Antonio can sit in the front."
James looked at her for a long moment, then simply nodded. He didn't say a word as he bent and scooped her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest like she was the most precious jewel he owned.
Antonio already had the car door open. James placed her gently inside, kissed her forehead, whispered something quick to Antonio, then got into the car beside her—one arm still wrapped around her waist.
Diana closed the dashboard softly and curled into his arms, resting her head on his chest. She looked up at him with a small, knowing smile.
"Baby, I'm not worried about you not protecting me," she said gently. "Because I know you always find a way. Your shadows are around me."
James furrowed his brows slightly, but she continued.
"Don't think I haven't noticed the way you tripled my security... or the extra three men like Antonio that follow me around now."
His brows shot up in clear surprise just as the car started to move. "How did you know about that?"
Diana smirked proudly. "Well, Mr. Alfred, your wife is not stupid."
James let out a proud laugh, eyes filled with affection as he stared at her.
"Oh! And I'm here," she added softly, "whenever you want to talk about that incident you mentioned earlier."
"Okay," James said, still smiling. But that wasn't what was on his mind. What he was really thinking about... was how lucky he was to have married a woman like her.
Before he could say anything more, Diana spoke again.
"Or maybe I could go to my parents' place so—"
"No." James cut her off suddenly, his voice firm.
"Babe, hear me out first," she said, placing a hand on his chest. "I'll tell my mom I came for a short holiday—since my husband traveled and I didn't want to feel lonely, staying with just the helpers. Plus, my parents will be happy to have me around. And I want to go with Grandma too, so she can get used to my family."
James paused, weighing her words. Then he gave a slight nod. "Mhm... it's not a bad idea. At least that way, I know you're secure."
"Okay, let's do that then."
Diana beamed and leaned up to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Thanks, hubby," she murmured against his mouth.