Chapter 230 Where Feelings Begin

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    Chapter 230 Where Feelings Begin

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    Sloane heard the horn and looked up to see a familiar ck sedan parked at the gate. The window slowly rolled down, revealing Lucas‘ cool, sharp–featured face. He stared in her direction, his gaze calm, but with a faint trace of displeasure beneath the surface.

    She paused in surprise–she hadn’t expected Lucas to show up. She walked over quickly and asked, a little taken aback, “Lucas, what are you doing here?”

    Lucas nced briefly at the team captain standing on the steps and replied, “I’m your coach for this tournament, I should be there to supervise. Get in. Ride with me.”

    Sloane looked back at the bus where the rest of her teammates were already boarding. She hesitated. “But everyone else is taking the team bus…”

    Lucas didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He stepped out and opened the passenger door. “It’s a long drive. If you ride with me, you’ll get to rest a bit.”

    Sloane had been busytely researching herb cultivation and was, in truth, pretty exhausted.

    Lucas gently guided her into the front seat before she could react. Then he leaned in and pulled the seatbelt across her, buckling it with natural ease.

    Their proximity closed in an instant. Sloane caught the clean scent on him–cedar mixed with a hint of mint, cool and grounded.

    She looked up at his chiseled profile, and her heart began to race, her ears warming without warning. Lucas finished securing the belt, straightened up, shut the door, and circled back to the driver’s side.

    He started the engine, eyes focused on the road ahead. “Close your eyes and rest. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

    Sloane stole a nce at him. She picked up on something off about his mood. He seemed calm on the outside, but his eyes held a quiet edge of coldness.

    She opened her mouth, wanting to ask if he was upset, but in the end, she just nodded softly. “Okay.”

    Leaning back against the seat, she closed her eyes and tried to rx. The car moved smoothly down the road; Lucas‘ driving was steady andposed, making it easy to forget they were

    even in motion.

    Sloane had thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but maybe she really was too tired. Before

    Chapter 230 Where Feelings Begin

    long, her mind drifted and she slipped into a light sleep.

    Lucas nced at her. Her breathing was soft and even–she was out.

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    His gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds, his expression gradually softening. He reached over and raised the temperature on the aircond, then lowered the music volume, careful not to disturb her.

    The car was quiet, filled only with gentle music and the sound of Sloane’s steady breathing.

    Sunlight spilled through the window onto her face, outlining the soft curve of her features. Lucas looked at her again, his eyes full of warmth and affection.

    He thought about the way he’d felt earlier, and gave a self–deprecating smile. iUnbelievable/i… I’m iactually /iijealous /iiof /iisome /iikid /iibarely /iiout /iiof /iischool/i.

    The car pulled up slowly to the hotel entrance. Lucas turned to look at her still–sleeping figure and said gently, “Sloane, we’re here.”

    She stirred, blinking her eyes open. Her voice came out soft and groggy. “We’re here?”

    Lucas looked at her just–woken expression and felt something melt inside. His voice instinctively softened. “Yeah, we’re here. Take a second to wake up.”

    He opened the passenger door. “The others are already inside. I’ll take you to get your room key.”

    The hotel lobby was tastefully decorated, filled with a faint, pleasant scent.

    Lucas approached the front desk and said a few brief words. The receptionist smiled and handed over two keycards.

    “Here are your room keys, your room is on the top floor. Enjoy your stay.”

    Lucas turned and handed one to Sloane. “Come on, I’ll take you up.”

    The moment Sloane opened the door to the room, she was stunned. The space was bright and spacious, with floor–to–ceiling windows looking out over an endless blue sea. Sunlight poured in, bathing the room in warm, golden light.

    The interior was sleek yet luxurious. A fresh bouquet of lilies sat by the bed, releasing a gentle fragrance into the air.

    Standing behind her, Lucas said in an even tone, “Get some rest today. The tournament starts tomorrow.” He pointed next door. “I’m staying right beside you. If you need anything, just

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    Chapter 230 Where Feelings Begin

    knock.”

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    Sloane knew immediately that this wasn’t the standard room her teammates got. Lucas had clearly arranged it specially for her.

    She answered softly, “Okay.”

    Lucas felt a small warmth stir in his chest. “Unpack, take it easy.” With that, he turned to leave.

    But just as he reached the door, Sloane called out to him. “Lucas…”

    He paused, turned back, and looked at her with concern. “What is it?”

    She shook her head. “Nothing. Just thank you.”

    Lucas looked at her for a moment, and his gaze softened even more. “You don’t have to thank me. Rest for a bit–I’lle get you for dinnerter.”

    Sloane nodded and watched him go.

    Her eyes

    She couldn’t pretend she didn’t notice how Lucas treated her differently.

    After being rescued by her mentor from her adoptive parents, Sloane had lived in the mountains, studying medicine. When she found out the truth about her identity, she’d run off to Stonebridge to find the Rivers family–only for them to throw her into a mental institution.

    Love had never really existed in Sloane’s world. She didn’t know what it felt like to truly like

    someone.

    When she first picked up on the way Lucas treated her, she’d suggested ending their engagement. And when Lucas agreed without hesitation, she assumed she’d overthought it. Maybe he was just being considerate because they were business partners. Maybe the way he peeled shrimp for her meant he saw her as a little sister.

    She looked around the luxurious room again. Today, he’d personally driven her to the tournament. He’d reserved the best suite. iMaybe /iit iwas /iijust /ia teacher ilooking /iout ifor /iihis /iistudent/i?

    She flopped down on the bed, folding her hands behind her head.

    But her mind instantly reyed the moment he leaned in to buckle her seatbelt–the way he had been iso /iclose, close enough for her to see every detail on his face, his straight nose, the firm line of his lips, and those deep–set eyes filled with emotions she couldn’t decipher.

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    His breath had brushed against her ear, cool and clean, tinged with that signature scent of his and it made her heart race uncontrobly, her ears burning.

    She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow, trying to calm herself down.

    But the more she tried to forget, the clearer the image became. She could almost feel his long fingers pulling the seatbelt across her, gentle and natural, like it was the most ordinary thing in the world.

    Suddenly irritated, Sloane flipped again and muttered under her breath, “Lucas, what a

    menace.”