CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: SEXY AS HELL

Seraphina Thorne almost couldn’t control herself, her throat itching as she nearly made a sound.

The culprit, Ethan Sterling, suddenly stopped and released her.

Seraphina let out a quiet sigh of relief.

But her ears caught the man’s slightly hoarse voice, full of teasing, sounding by her side.

"If you don’t drink your milk soon, it’s going to get cold."

Seraphina clutched the blanket, continuing to play dead.

She was asleep.

She couldn’t hear anything!

The man finally stood up and walked to the door.

"I know you’re not asleep."

His voice carried a hint of laughter.

Click—

The door.

It closed.

Bastard, he did it on purpose!

Seraphina sat up, grabbing a pillow in her hand.

She raised her hand to throw it, thought better of it, and withdrew her hand.

She punched the pillow a few times with force, then pulled the blanket over her flushed face.

...

...

After such an awkward night, Seraphina really didn’t want to face Ethan.

Early the next morning, she crawled out of bed.

After dressing and packing her belongings, she quietly slipped out of the guest room with her violin.

But unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

She was early, Ethan was even earlier.

As she exited the guest room, Ethan was standing in front of the bar’s mini fridge, taking out a bottle of sports drink.

The man was in full black athletic gear, with a long-sleeve jacket casually looped over his arm, wearing just a short-sleeve sports T-shirt on his upper body.

In the morning light, there was a thin layer of sweat on the man’s forehead and neck, clearly just returned from a morning run.

The black athletic wear outlined his muscular lines perfectly.

The man had broad shoulders and long legs, with not a trace of excess fat around his waist.

Compared to the usual Vexler Street elite in tailored suits, the Ethan Sterling before her now seemed younger and more energetic.

The movement of swallowing water, the protruding Adam’s apple, gliding up and down.

From head to toe, he exuded a full-on masculine allure.

Even Seraphina had to admit.

At this moment, Ethan Sterling was irresistibly sexy.

Watching the man in front of her, Seraphina naturally recalled the time in school.

Back then, Ethan was an ace in sports.

Transferred to Jadeston First High in the first year, and within two months, he was recruited to the school basketball team as a forward.

On the basketball court, he was always the leading scorer.

He once helped First High win the city championship twice, and even made it to the national games.

If not for that fight with Adrian Chamberlain, he might have won the MVP title that year and could have gotten into Jadeston University just based on his basketball skills.

Whenever Ethan played basketball on the playground, there was always a crowd of girls watching, from high school seniors to junior students.

Even Seraphina caught a glimpse of him playing during breaks from practicing her violin in the arts building.

Back then, Ethan was young and spirited.

Even with his rebellious attitude, fighting and skipping classes, earning the nickname "Little Devil," he was still the crush of countless girls at school.

Holding a half-empty bottle of sports drink, Ethan rested his elbow on the bar, casting a sidelong glance at Seraphina.

"Is your husband that good-looking?"

Narcissist!

Seraphina covered up with a cough, "The orchestra has a performance, I have to get to school early for rehearsal, I need to go ahead."

Ethan reached out to stop her, "I don’t like eating alone, stay and have breakfast with me before you leave."

"It’s too late, the subway will be crowded."

"I’ll take you."

Seraphina wasn’t skilled at lying, she really couldn’t think of another excuse.

"Then... I’ll make breakfast!"

She ducked under his arm and escaped into the kitchen.

Heated the milk, and stuffed the bread slices into the toaster.

Tied on the apron, and washed her hands clean.

Taking eggs from the fridge, she poured oil into the pan and cracked the eggs inside.

Since childhood, Seraphina had been cherished by her parents and brother like a jewel, forbidden from entering the kitchen to protect her hands for playing the violin.

Her cooking skills extended to making coffee and heating milk.

Accidentally, water from her hands splashed into the pan of oil.

In an instant, it sizzled and splattered everywhere.

She hastily grabbed the lid to cover the pan, only opening it when the pan calmed down, finding the egg whites completely burnt black.

"Stupid, you might as well drop dead!"

Muttering a curse, Seraphina picked up the pan and dumped the burnt eggs into the trash.

After cleaning the pan, she put it back on the stove, picking up the oil bottle.

Quick footsteps could be heard, as Ethan reached over from behind, grasping the hand holding the oil bottle.

"When pouring oil, there mustn’t be any water in the pan, or it’ll explode."

Pulling Seraphina aside, Ethan casually took her apron off and tied it around himself.

Poured oil, cracked eggs...

The man’s actions flowed seamlessly.

Even flipping the eggs with the pan playfully, flipping the cooked eggs over.

Seraphina watched, stunned, "You can cook?"

"I’m not like you." Ethan smirked self-deprecatingly, "I learned to cook in middle school."

Seraphina was taken aback.

Ethan had transferred to Jadeston First High in his first year.

She had only heard he studied abroad, knowing very little about his past.

Learning to cook in middle school didn’t seem typical for someone like him.

After plating the eggs, Ethan grabbed the ketchup, squeezing out a pretty heart shape.

"Mrs. Sterling, aren’t you getting the utensils?"

Seraphina opened the drawer and took out the utensils, as Ethan also set the breakfast on the table.

Sitting face to face, Seraphina used a knife to cut the eggs.

The soft yolk, her favorite medium doneness, savored as she forked up a piece, bringing it to her lips, lips curving in enjoyment.

"Delicious."

It had been a long time since she had a breakfast to her liking.

Ethan smiled faintly, "Not a bad trade marrying me, huh?"

Seraphina chewed the eggs, silently.

Food should be enjoyed silently, so she didn’t have to answer.

Ethan didn’t wait for her response, "I have a major acquisition over in Country M. They’re sending me on a business trip for a few days, should be back in around a week."

A week?

So she could be free for another week.

Great!

He should just be on business trips constantly, never coming home at night.

"Then..." Seraphina worked to suppress her delighted expression, "Safe travels, and good luck with the acquisition."

Ethan glanced at her lips, barely containing excitement.

"You’ll be coming with me."

Gasp!

Seraphina almost choked on her milk, hastily grabbing a napkin to dab her lips, speaking quickly.

"I really can’t this time, my dad has medical consultations, and the orchestra is performing. We rehearse daily, I’m the lead violinist, can’t be absent. Next time, next time... alright?"

Ethan raised a brow, "Next time?"

"Next time, I promise I’ll go with you, no backing out."

"Well then..." Ethan lowered his lashes, hiding a smile, "Alright."

Seraphina was relieved, continuing to eat.

"Remember, keep your phone on 24/7, I need to reach you anytime."

Reaching across the table with his right hand, he placed it on top of her head, meeting her eyes.

"Come home at night, send me photos for check-ins, don’t go drinking or clubbing with random folks. I don’t want to be calling lawyers to bail you out in the middle of the night."

Seraphina dutifully nodded like a pecking chick.

"I promise."

As long as he didn’t demand bedroom company, she’d agree to anything.

Wiping the milk from her chin with his fingers, Ethan withdrew his hand.

Glancing at her empty plate, he passed her his eggs.

"I’m cutting fat, this is too greasy."

With a body like that, cutting fat?

Narcissist!

Seraphina inwardly cursed, not hesitating to fork up the eggs and eat them.

She hadn’t had enough yet!

After breakfast, they went downstairs together, Sean Hale and the driver already waiting.

Ethan took her to the school gate, as Seraphina attempted to leave the car with her violin, but he grabbed her wrist.

"Mrs. Sterling, did you forget something?"

Seraphina turned to him, realizing.

Reaching over, she hugged his neck, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Hubby, safe travels and wish you success on the acquisition."

Ethan smiled, raising his right hand, handing her the bag with sheet music.

"I meant your bag."

Outside the car, Sean Hale chuckled quietly.

She should’ve known not to kiss him!

Seraphina snatched the bag, face flushed as she ran into the school.