Chapter 104
Being the prey under a hunter's gaze tightened Layla's scalp, her skin prickling with numbness.
She dodged his intense gaze helplessly, her face flushed with the blush that rose from her skin like scorching lava, "I..."
To him, her shyness and unease were tantalizing.
Before he met her, not even a woman dancing on his lap could stir him.
But after... everything became uncontrollable.
His arms imprisoned her, his body leaned down, kissing her forehead, her brow...
"No, this isn't right, I..." Layla pushed against his chest, her eyes wide with panic.
Samuel chuckled lowly, his kisses trailing down her cheek, murmuring in a seductive tone, "Don't be nervous..."
"I... mmm."
He didn't give her a chance to speak any further.
...
When it was all over, Layla's cheeks were flushed enough to bleed.
What had just happened to her?
Samuel's dark eyes shone unusually bright, teasing by her ear, "Did you enjoy that?"
Staring blankly, she accused, "You, you took advantage of me." Her voice, attempting severity, came out more like a pout.
She swung at his face, but Samuel effortlessly caught her hand and kissed it tenderly, his eyes adoring, "Just a moment ago, all was fine. What happened, turning your back on me so quick?"
"I didn't..." Layla's protest was feeble.
Avoiding his gaze, Layla's eyes inadvertently fell to his towel-wrapped waist, the defined v-lines, the even abs...
"Can you just stop talking?"
"Selfish girl," Samuel kissed her lips, holding her in his arms, cooing, "Alright, go to sleep."
"I can't sleep with you holding me. Your arms and chest are too firm." Like stone.
Samuel's embrace relaxed slightly, but he still held her. The woman in his arms was supple, her skin soft and smooth. The contrast between their bodies was stark; he wanted to shield her from the world with his masculine frame, to protect her gently.
Once she grew accustomed, Layla found Samuel's muscles, though firm, provided a sense of security. His heartbeat was steady, as if it could never deceive her.
So comforting.
Even in her deepest love with Vincent, his embrace never made her feel this secure.
Vincent's frame was too slender, while Samuel embodied the stature of a real man.
Strong, able to offer a woman security.
Still, a small worry lingered.
He doted on her now, shielding her from storms, keeping her safe. But what if his affection faded, or the novelty wore off...
What if another woman caught his interest and she had already brought their child into the world? What would she do?
Layla, just seconds ago filled with security, was now beset by worries.
Beyond her concerns, she felt a hint of jealousy.
Would she be jealous if Samuel fancied another woman?
Impossible.
She couldn't even claim to like him.
"You keep tempting me like this, and I won't be able to play nice," the man's husky voice floated down from above.
"What?" Layla, distracted and a bit annoyed, absently hummed, only to realize that in her irritation she had been pinching Samuel's waist. She quickly withdrew her hand, her gaze flustered.
"Behave," Samuel grabbed her hand back, resting it on his firm torso. He relished the feeling of their mutual and comforting embrace.
Warm embraces, the warm intimacies shared between people.
It felt as if... not only had she found a lover, but also a secure and comforting home.
She had cured his deep-seated aversion to closeness, turning him into someone who yearned for and embraced warmth.
"I can't sleep."
About five minutes passed before a muffled voice sounded from his chest.
Samuel, already cultivating a sense of sleepiness with eyes closed, murmured, "Are you thinking of doing something fun?"
"Goodnight."
The man's lips curled into a faint smile, "Goodnight."
Inside the hospital room, Alice lay in silence.
Little did she know, outside the room, Nora's heart was in turmoil.
She had been standing there for five whole hours, until one in the morning, and Samuel hadn't left the room once.
Was this the so-called subordinate relationship Layla mentioned?
Hah.
A women's intuition is indeed formidable;; even Isabel could see there was something off between them. How could Nora possibly not notice? She was just forcing herself not to think about it.
But reality delivered a harsh awakening.
It was her...
Nora had not ordered an investigation, but that didn't mean she hadn't made guesses. So Samuel's woman wasn't some heiress, a beautiful actress, or a seductive hostess from a club - it was Layla, an ordinary woman.
That explained why she always seemed to dodge her.
Even so, Layla was a woman without shame, acting nonchalant in her presence, reducing Nora to a foolish enabler.
Nora couldn't help but sneer.
Most women would make a scene, but Nora grew even more stoic.
Despite the bubbling rage of deceit, her rationality took control - causing a scene would only make Samuel despise her.
She clutched her purse tightly.
She wouldn't lose.
"Miss, you've been standing here a while; is something the matter? Are you visiting someone?" the nurse, after encountering her several times, couldn't help but ask.
"It's fine," Nora smiled and shook her head, then her expression darkened as she turned away.
Every step she took was like walking on a blade, her heart bleeding, growing colder...