?Chapter 516:

    “What could you possibly have left to say?”

    Her patience was wearing thin, convinced he still wasn’t telling her the full truth.

    “Alright, the wound’s fine. It never split open, but it did hurt earlier. Marc didn’t hold back. I do have an old injury, but it’s not so bad right now.”

    Listening to his exnation, the doubt in her eyes began to fade. “So, you’re really alright?”

    Hearing her concern brought a surge of happiness to William’s chest. Even in anger, her first instinct was to worry about him.

    He moved behind her and gently lowered his chin to her shoulder, careful not to brush her neck, but close enough that it felt personal.

    His voice came softly, right by her ear. “Moving around makes it ache. Could you help me sit down? I don’t have much strength left.”

    Seeing him so vulnerable was a rare sight for her.

    With a resigned sigh, Ste turned and ced a steady hand at his waist.

    “Come on, let’s get you settled down safely.”

    Once Ste helped William settle down, she said, “Let me grab a bottle of herbal ointment for you. That should help the bruises fade.”

    Without waiting, she reached for her phone and ced the order right away.

    It didn’t take long before the delivery showed up at the door.

    Grabbing the package, she held up the ointment and reassured, “Go ahead and take your shirt off.”

    William let his thoughts wander for a moment. The woman currently in his shirt nowmanded him to shed garments…

    He smirked, then lifted his arms, slipping out of his shirt. Muscles stood out across his chest.

    A blush crept across Ste’s face, and she quickly looked away, her nerves suddenly on edge.

    For a moment, she avoided making eye contact, too flustered to nce his way.

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    William moved a bit closer, the mischief clear in his tone. “Ste, if you keep turning away, how do you n on using that ointment?”

    Ste’s hands nearly fumbled with the bottle, but she held on tight and responded, “If you want this done, then sit still. Otherwise, I can’t do it properly.” She found herself feeling both irritated and embarrassed, half-certain he was doing this on purpose.

    That teasing grin on William’s lips made him look both dangerous and captivating.

    Deciding not to acknowledge his antics, she concentrated on his midsection and dabbed the ointment with careful, light strokes.

    Watching her move so cautiously, William couldn’t help but let out a gentleugh. “You act like this is your first time giving someone a massage.”

    Ste’s eyebrow shot up. “Are you trying to say I don’t know what I’m doing?”

    William let out a quiet sigh and reached for her hand.

    A jolt of surprise ran through Ste as his palm, warm and just a little rough, guided hers straight to his abdomen.

    He began to move her hand in slow circles across his stomach, showing her exactly what he meant.

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