Chapter 160
160 Too Close for Comfort
Chapter 160 Too Close for Comfort
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Anneliese let go of Jonathan’s arm and hurried off to fetch the first–aid kit. Jonathan, however, still took off his sneakers at the entryway and walked into the living room in just his socks.
Though she had been upstairs to his apartment more than once, this was the first time Jonathan had ever stepped into her home. He sat down on the couch, his gaze polite as it swept the room. Meatloaf padded over, shoving its big head into Jonathan’s hand, and Jonathan rubbed it gently.
When Anneliese turned back with the medicine, she found the man and the dog already in perfect harmony. Meatloaf was curled at Jonathan’s feet, head resting on his thigh, eyes shut in bliss, looking ready to drift off under the steady strokes of Jonathan’s hand.
“I swear, she’s your dog,” she muttered.
And in truth, Meatloaf had been his once–the smartest pup from Azuki’s litter, raised by Jonathan until three months old before being sent to Anneliese’s side.
Jonathan’s eyes lowered at the thought of Zacharias‘ earlier words. The light in them dimmed. He wasn’t as calm and certain as he appeared. If she ever learned the truth about the past— about who he really was–would she still let him stay close?
“What are you staring at? Lower your head.” Anneliese stood before him with a bottle of bruise spray in hand, but he kept his gaze down.
Her voice tugged him back. Jonathan raised his head at last. Anneliese shook the bottle. “This is the same one you gave me last time. Works pretty well. Close your eyes, I’ll spray some on the bruise and rub it in p>
She remembered the auction night, when Zacharias and Selina had hurt her wrist. Jonathan had used this same spray to treat her, and by the next day, the mark had nearly disappeared.
“All right,” Jonathan said softly, tilting his head back and closing his eyes.
Anneliese leaned in, testing the angle with a couple of false starts. The problem was, with him. sitting there, eyes shut, his sharp, commanding face relaxed in quiet submission–it put unexpected pressure on her nerves.
“Maybe I should cover your eye,” she murmured. “If the spray hits your lashes, it’ll sting p>
His injury was far too close to his eye. Out of courtesy, perhaps, Jonathan suddenly opened his
eyes.
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Chapter 160 Too Close for Comfort
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She hadn’t expected it. Bending near, she froze as their gazes collided at close range. She could see every strand of his long lashes, could see her own startled reflection mirrored in the depths of his dark eyes.
Her breath caught. A loose strand of hair slipped free, brushing against his throat before fluttering away, leaving behind a trail of tingling heat that ran down her spine.
Jonathan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he rasped, “Do whatever you want.” Then he closed his again.
eyes
His skin was pale and flawless, glowing like polished jade. Even with a bruise marring his cheek, his face looked almost more compelling, like a battle–worn beauty that made him seem all the more striking. Sitting there with his head tilted back, eyes shut, he almost looked obedient, like someone waiting to be claimed.
Anneliese bit her lip, pushing away the strange stirrings in her chest. She lifted her hand at last, covered his eye with her palm, and sprayed twice before gently rubbing the medicine in. “Does it hurt?” she asked.
The bruise darkened under the treatment, standing out even more against the perfection of his features.
“Yeah, it hurts,” Jonathan admitted without holding back, brows drawn, hissing in pain.
Guilt and worry pinched her heart. Without thinking, she bent closer and blew gently on the wound, her warm breath carrying a faint sweetness. It drifted across his senses, intoxicating, like a hidden perfume. The urge to lean in and kiss her swelled suddenly.
She went to blow again, but Jonathan suddenly caught the hand shielding his eyes and pulled it down. With his other hand, he clamped over her mouth.
His eyes snapped open, sharp and dark. “Don’t blow like that p>
His reaction startled her. Wide, clear eyes blinked up at him in confusion, her body gone rigid.
Nervously, she ran her tongue over her lips–but in doing so, she brushed against his palm. The soft, damp touch seared into him, and his breath quickened. That single spot in his hand burned as if set on fire.
How could it be that soft …
That delicate little tongue had once kissed him, slipped past his lips without rhythm, demanding sweetly. The memory surged back too fast.
Before Jonathan could gather himself, Anneliese jerked away as if shocked, pushing him off
Chapter 160 Too Close for Comfort
and stumbling back two steps.
9:36 Thu, Sep