Chapter 154

Perhaps it was the intimate atmosphere of the evening, or perhaps it was the dawning realization that he wasn't entirely without his charms. The self-control he usually maintained began to crumble, and his true nature started to emerge.

A cool night breeze drifted in from the third-floor balcony, chilling his still-damp hair and sending a shiver down his spine. The cold shock of it brought George back to his senses. His arms tensed against the sofa.

What was he saying? He must have scared her.

Not daring to look at her expression, his heart pounded in his chest.

The loud hum of the hairdryer filled the air. The man's pleasant voice had been muffled by the noise, making it hard to hear clearly.

Marguerite frowned and switched off the hairdryer. The world instantly fell silent.

She leaned down and asked, "What did you just say?"

So she hadn't heard him.

George's heart, which had been in his throat, settled back down. His tense arms relaxed. Thank God she didn't hear.

His pale, sexy Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "I said, you don't have to dry it anymore. It's fine."

Back in her own bedroom, Marguerite threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in the covers, half-wishing she could suffocate herself.

Look at what a mess she had become! She had actually thought he was asking if she wanted to touch his abs, when all he'd said was that she could stop drying his hair. A refined, aloof man like George would never say something like that.

She was losing it. Now she was hearing things.

Gasping for air, Marguerite flipped over onto her back, her red lips parted as she took a deep breath. She couldn't be blamed for this! While waiting outside the bathroom, she had been scrolling through Tik Tok and saw a video of a doctor claiming that looking at abs could prolong a woman's life. What was wrong with wanting to live longer?

Alright, she admitted it. She was also a bit of a lech. The gold of gold, the silver of silver, and the beauty of a handsome man those were her favorite colors.

It was getting very late. Remembering Aaron's words, Marguerite sent George a message.

[The anesthetic is going to wear off, and it will hurt. If you can't sleep because of the pain, you can wake me up. I'll talk with you.]

George replied almost instantly: [Okay. Good night.]

A wave of drowsiness washed over her. Marguerite yawned, wriggled her way up to

her pillow, closed her eyes, and was dead to the world.

In the middle of the night, the anesthetic did indeed wear off. A sharp, stinging pain radiated from his arm, as if a thousand needles were pricking him. But George didn't wake Marguerite.

In the darkness, illuminated by the faint moonlight, he gazed adoringly at the girl sleeping in a cute, messy tangle on the bed. She had Kicked the blanket aside and was clutching her, Devon Rex stuffed animal. How could he possibly bear to wake her?

He reached out with his good hand and gently pulled the blanket back over her. His eyes fell on her delicate, pale feet, which seemed to glow in the moonlight. A dark, possessive urge crept into his eyes.

I want to kiss them...

The pain in his arm was more intense than he had anticipated. Sweat beaded on his forehead. The agony was starting to overwhelm his reason and his legs buckled forcing him to his knees beside the bed. The girl's scent, intoxicating and sweet, filled his senses.

He placed one hand on the mattress and leaned in closer. But at the very last moment, he stood up, turned, and left the room.

Sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains. The sleepy girl on the bed rolled over and drifted back to sleep.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Her phone vibrated. She fumbled for it and glanced at the screen. It was a message from Northpine Wraith.

[Maggie, I'll be at the villa soon. The vice principal at Westside High was promoted to principal, so we can get Aaron's transfer paperwork done todayaf we're quick, we can get him enrolled at Pinecrest High this afternoon.]

She looked at the time. It was already ten in the morning. So late!

Marguerite shot up from the bed like a spring and hurried to the bathroom to get

ready. After dressing, she went downstairs and was surprised to see George in the kitchen again.

Her eyes widened, and she rushed over. "George, your arm!"

...