CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: ARE YOUR LEGS OKAY?

His elbow rested beside her.

Sweat trickled from his chin, dripping onto her neck already damp with a fine sheen of perspiration.

He was covered in sweat, his sun-kissed skin gleaming with it, radiating pure sexual tension.

Her delicate hand still hung around his neck.

The jade-like foot that had been looped around his waist slowly slipped away, drained of strength.

"My little enchantress..."

He felt her heartbeat.

Looked at the flush spread across her cheeks.

Tempting, delicious.

"You did so well." He bent down, pressing a scorching, shaky kiss to her lips.

Sophia didn’t say anything, her throat felt utterly hoarse.

Zane was far from gentle.

Just like he was in daily life, cold as ice, a hard edge to his every move.

It made it nearly impossible for anyone to get close.

She hadn’t expected that he was even rougher in bed.

If she hadn’t gotten that marriage certificate with him, calling him a beast wouldn’t have been an exaggeration.

——

After the shower.

He was busy at his computer, Sophia sat on the sofa opposite, sketching.

"Zane."

"Hm?"

Sophia pursed her lips, working up the courage to ask, "Is your leg... okay?"

"Good enough to serve you." He flashed a wicked grin, glancing sidelong at her.

She blushed, swallowing hard and ducking her head, not daring to ask further.

It was true, like he said—he really was skilled...

She’d stolen a look at his leg while they showered just now.

There was a bullet-sized scar, but it didn’t look like there were any other wounds.

Three years on, his leg must’ve healed pretty well by now.

"I might be home late tomorrow night. Don’t wait up." he said.

"Oh."

Sophia finally breathed easy, she could finally get some actual rest.

If they kept going like this, even tonic pills couldn’t keep up.

Zane lifted his gaze slightly, noticing the sly curve to her lips, couldn’t help smirking, "You’re very happy?"

"Ah? No, not really..."

All her little secrets were already in plain sight for him.

"I’m meeting some old buddies. Want to come?"

"Nah, you guys go ahead, I’m not really used to that stuff."

A gang of men getting together, eating, drinking...

And odds were they’d invite some women too. Her showing up would just spoil the fun.

As a big boss, he probably went to those kinds of events all the time. If she tagged along, it’d look like she was keeping him on a tight leash.

Best to let things be, not meddle too much.

"Mm." He nodded, not pressing the issue.

He honestly wished Sophia got out with him more, met his friends.

Year end was near, Zoe Walsh said the hospital’s doors were almost getting stomped flat by guests.

They’d announced they were married, but without a banquet or bringing her to meet family, everyone still assumed it was just an excuse to avoid entertaining guests.

Zoe Walsh was just about ready to tape the marriage certificate to the door.

Sophia snuck a look at his expression. Seeing nothing unusual, she logged into her alt account on her laptop and sent him a file of her drafts.

She heard his desktop make a notification sound.

Zane opened WhatsApp and saw the file from "Scatterbrain", so he clicked to accept it.

[Any chance I could buy Ms. Lowell dinner?] Zane.

[I don’t dine with married men, thanks.]

He frowned.

[Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Lowell.]

[Mr. Sterling, inviting me out at night—you’re not afraid your wife will find out?]

[My wife is right next to me.]

Sophia kept sketching, giggling to herself, remembering how Hugh Irving had suggested whether she should try online dating with her alt account.

Men just can’t pass up the temptation.

Sophia didn’t want to make life messier for herself.

Before she really grew too fond of him, better not to place too much hope in him.

She reminded herself, even if they were married, some boundaries were better untouched.

Three parts enthusiasm for him, seven parts love for herself.

Couldn’t make the same mistakes again.

She exited her alt, sprawled back on the sofa, and got back to sketching.

——

He stood by the sofa, watching her sleep.

The tablet screen was dark, pen fallen to the side, golden hair draping over the sofa edge.

He sat down slowly, causing the sofa to sink beneath him.

"Sophia."

"...Hm."

She was always a light sleeper—unless she was drunk, one call from him and she’d usually respond.

Zane stroked her hair, carefully scooped her into his arms.

"..."

She fluttered her eyes open and saw his striking face.

Her traitorous cheeks flared bright red on the spot.

His burning body heat scorched her, making her freeze up.

She pressed her ear to his blazing chest, clearly hearing the thump-thump of his heart.

His gait was steady, placing her gently on the bed.

Sophia squeezed her eyes shut, deathly afraid he’d want more.

She’d already gone through two rounds tonight; if not for the international call and his unfinished papers, he might have taken her another time.

Lights off.

He didn’t press her further.

But...

He gripped her hand, guiding it to hold him...

Middle of the night—was he afraid someone would steal it or something?

She was so embarrassed she buried her head in the crook of his arm.

"Ms. Lowell, what’s your visual estimate of length?" he still wouldn’t drop it.

Sophia didn’t dare reply.

"Next time you brag, make sure you get the numbers right—it’s twenty, not eighteen."

"..."

She could feel her ears were ripe as cherries.

This man was just... impossible.

Help him out, and he still turns it around to tease her.

If she ever had to handle another one of his admirers, she’d just let him rot next time. Rot to the bone.

Zane pinched her cheek, pressed a hot, damp kiss to her forehead.

His husky voice poured into her ear, "Want you..."

She wasn’t stupid—the feel in her hand was growing thicker and heavier, and she knew she wasn’t escaping.

He curled his hand over hers, pressing them together.

Her heart was racing wildly, for the first time caught in that blazing intensity.

She quickly pulled her hand away, only to get a little sticky, cool residue on her fingers.

Zane rolled over immediately, pressing down on her, pleading: "Can I?"

Her breath was heavy, both hands pinned on either side by him.

"..."

——

Next morning.

He was up at his usual hour; when Sophia woke, he was already gone.

He’d left breakfast for her in the kitchen.

She crawled out of bed gingerly, body weak all over.

He was supposed to be the strong one, but somehow she’d always end up as the first casualty.

How did he get so damn strong?

She glanced at the lemon water he’d set by the nightstand, and drained it all at once.

——

From the underground garage, Sophia stepped into the elevator.

She held her tablet close, a yellow wool coat slung over her arm.

White blouse, black pencil skirt just above the knees, knee-high heeled boots—her five-foot-five frame looked even taller.

She pressed for the 28th floor.

The elevator opened at the first floor.

She nearly jumped!

A crowd of black suits and one white-shirted figure stepped inside.

She retreated a step.

Zane, in his white shirt, entered and wrapped his arm around Sophia’s slender waist.

She tried to wriggle free, afraid someone would see.

But Zane’s big hand only tightened, leaving her no room for hesitation.

The six crew-cut men who entered behind them, all in dark suits, stood flanking them.

The scene looked exactly like bodyguards guarding two VIPs.

Zane’s lips curled with a playful smile, kneading Sophia’s waist, gentle yet assertive—just like last night.

The elevator doors closed.

"Morning, Sister-in-law."

The men greeted her in unison.

Sophia swallowed nervously, her ears blooming hot red.

She managed an "Mm", nodding shyly.

Ding---

28th floor at last.

Zane reluctantly let go of her.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Sophia hastily fled outside.

"Wow—"

A few staff outside, about to deliver documents, caught sight of the scene and snuck photos for the group chat.

Luckily she ran fast, or she’d have ended up on camera too.

[Going to work feels like strolling through the red-light district—damn, our boss is hot! Even his entourage is smoking hot! [pic]]

[So many men! All men...]

[When do they leave? I want to sneak a peek too!]

...