EL

idn't I ask you not to come?" Lan

woman's head resting on his chest? Was this supposed to be nor

ce snapped me out of my spiralin

g girl hurried over and wrapped her a

What was I even thinking? How could I suspect there was

cheeks as embarra

re you feeling?" I asked, inh

eel nauseous. My whole body aches. My joints..." Nora's lis

eeded someone by her side constantly. Maybe we could m

omise you," I said softly,

replied, her voice so inno

u not to bother about it," Lance said

wasn't feeling..." I began, but the d

he docto

Doctor Hansel greeted

, managing a polite

She needs more rest. It seems she engages in rigorous activities a lot..

curious glan

at all," Lance explained quickly. "We even have a maid w

a live-in maid for h

hat, and Lance was already making

offered, not wanting t

y, okay?" Lance said, planting a kiss on

ut

sigh, "how do you intend to take the s

ugh. "Oh... I didn't consider that. Alright. I'll

my tone. "Nora... I'll see you during

feeling twisting in my stomach a

my thoughts like a velvet caress, deep and rich, w

my best efforts. The way he spoke, with that smooth, controlled ca

ing the unwelcome flutter i

with you," he said, ges

my heart pounding harde

s piercing gaze. My eyes darted everywhere bu

I speak to you as a friend or as your docto

on his lips sent a

n't soun

office, the scent of his cologne-a rich blend of cedarwood

as, the warm hues of mahogany and gold creating

, Hansel?" I asked, t

p up with being so nervous around him. H

ho made heads turn and h

gth and something a bit darker, Hansel moved around with a

ision that mirrored his personality-neat and contro

, his deep green eyes-eyes that never betrayed any emo

en make time to take care of her and attend to her needs?" he asked

these things. He prefers to do them by himself..." I explai

-an imperfection that somehow made him even more irresistible-twitched as he smi

la. Letting your husband all alone with a woman who is carr

ou insinuating?"

sband do it all by himself. Do this and thank me later." That damned black spot twitched again w

a brief

s locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. His gaze was magnetic, almost

know, and I'd like it to remain that way." I rolled

sn't know I was the

at was all in the past! We were senseless teenagers who knew nothing! If this

a flicker of something softer, though no less intense. His perfectly pr

out over my shoulder, my voice trembling slig