Chapter 9 Kael, Have You Slept With Sloane
The man’s tone was distant. “No need.“]
Hearing that, Nova had no more to say. She watched him leave, then headed off.[]
She didn’t have her phone, so she could only stand by the roadside hailing a taxi, planning to pay the driver once she got home.[]
Cars streamed by not far away.[]
Through the windshield, Jax Ford spotted Nova in the distance. He couldn’t help speaking up, “Mr. Thorne, that looks like the lady from earlier. Should we give her a ride?”
Jax glanced at the rearview mirror, his heart racing. He was trying to get Corin to interact more with women–after all, his family had been pressing hard for him to get married.
“Are you that free?”
Corin lifted his eyes, giving him a cold glare.[]
Jax fell silent, but couldn’t hold back adding, “This bar’s surrounded by drunks, and it’s rush hour now. She’ll never get a taxi anytime soon. What if something happens to her?”
Corin frowned, glancing up–and there, by the road, Nova’s outfit was indeed eye–catching. Before long, a man went over to pester her.[]
His eyes darkened. He set aside the tablet on his lap and said calmly, “Go ask where she lives. If it’s on the way, give her a ride.“]
—0
Nova was worried when a car pulled up beside her.
II was a Maybach.
She froze for a second.[]
Next, the window rolled down, revealing Jax’s face. “Hi, we met at the bar earlier. It’s rush hour–you won’t get a taxi anytime soon. Where are you heading? If it’s on the way, we can give you a lift.”
Nova recognized Jax. She glanced inside, where a man sat gracefully in the back seat, reading emails.]]
She already felt bad about using his money earlier. “No trouble, thanks. I’ll wait a bit longer.”
Jax said, “This roadside is full of drunks. It’s not safe for a girl like you alone. We’re heading to Bradley Road soon–if that’s on your way, we can drop you off.“[]
Bradley Road was on her way. And there really were too many drunks around–unsafe at night. But…
Corin suddenly spoke up. “Get in. A ride won’t be a hassle.”
Hearing that, Nova glanced around. Evening rush hour was chaotic–how long would she have to wait for a taxi?]
Screw IL]
She apologized with a thank you, then got into the back seat. She didn’t notice someone taking a photo of her getting into a stranger’s car.[]
The car drove down the road. Nova sat trembling in the corner, trying her best to make herself invisible–but that crisp woody scent still made her heart race, like he was right there beside herff
Just as the car neared the villa area, a suit jacket fanded on her lap
“Fix this.” The man’s voice was slightly hoarse []
Nova froze for a few seconds, confused–until she shifted her legs and realized what was wrong, She’d gotten her period.[]
Has he noticed earlier? What about the seat?]
Suddenly, her cheeks flushed bright red. She grabbed the suit jacket on her lap, quickly taking wet wipes from her bag to wipe the seat
Chapter 9 Kael, Have You Slept With Sloane
Blushing, she said, “I’m so sorry–I’ll wash this and return it, or… if you give me a contact later, I can send you money for it.“[]
“No need.” In the darkness, the man’s expression was unreadable, his voice low and deep.[]
Nova bit her lip in embarrassment. She figured they’d never run into each other again anyway–and his tone made it sound like he didn’t care about the jacket at all, just a random favor.[]
Seeing her still wiping nonstop, the man turned to look at her, his voice firm. “Stop wiping. It’s fine.“[]
Now, Nova wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor.[]
Was she having a streak of bad luck lately?
-0
The car pulled over by the roadside. Nova thanked him again, taking the suit jacket from her lap and tucking it around her waist.[]
She wiped the seat once more, her cheeks burning.]
Jax fell a twinge of regret–but Corin wasn’t interested, and they hadn’t even exchanged contacts. There was nothing more he could say.[]
No one noticed, though–Corin hadn’t finished the five–line email on his laptop the entire drive.[]
Nova dragged her tired body home, tapping her forehead in frustration. The suit jacket wrapped around her waist was a constant reminder of what had just happened.]]
All she knew was that people called him Mr. Thorne–she had no idea what his full name was.]]
Otherwise, she could have looked him up and properly thanked him later.[]
Nova sighed, stepping through the front door. As soon as she entered, she smelled a strong whiff of cigarette smoke.]
Kael was sitting on the sofa smoking, his face gloomy.[]
When he saw her come in–with a man’s suit jacket tied around her waist–his brows furrowed tightly.[]
He stood up and walked over, his voice laced with accusation.[]
“Whose jacket is that? Who were you with just now? Why are you back so late?”
Three questions hit her at once. Nova couldn’t help but want to laugh. What right did he have to question her?]
She looked up at him, meeting his eyes. “Kael, weren’t you having fun at the club? Why can’t I go out?“]
Ather words, a flash of panic crossed Kael’s face. The flood of accusations he’d been holding back died on his lips.[]
He grabbed her shoulders, forcing a laugh.
“Nova, dont joke around. Trent and the guys kept me there–I couldn’t leave earlier. Don’t you trust me?
“But what about you? It’s so late–where did you go alone? Who sent you back? And whose jacket is this?” Kael’s tone turned serious, his grip on her shoulders tightening anxiously
Nova curled her hips into a smile. Compared to his panic, she found the whole thing ridiculous.[]
Men were always like this–fooling around outside, yet demanding women stay home and be faithful to them
She looked at him amusedly. “Kael, you took my phone. That’s why I couldn’t get a taxi back.“[]
That one sentence left Kael tongue tied. Parc was written all over his face. “Your phone?“]
Nova let out a soft laugh. She had no energy to play games with him, let alone invite more trouble. Besides, she’d be leaving soon anyway [
She pushed his hand away, lying casually. “It’s Silas jacket. I got my period on my pants, so I borrowed it. He drove me back too.“[]
Silas Cole was her childhood friend–even if Kael went to check, he wouldn’t slip up. It would hold []
Sure enough, Kael relaxed, no longer so on edge []
He caught up to her, slinging an arm around her shoulders
Chapter 9 Kael Have You Slept With Sloane
He hurried to explain, “Nova, I really had no idea about your phone. You must have left it on the club sofa–I only found it after I got back. I thought you’d already gone home; I had no idea this would happen. I’m sorry.“[]
He looked at her with a tender expression. If Nova hadn’t seen him hugging and kissing Sloane with her own eyes–hadn’t watched them flirting–she might have actually believed him.]
Nova stopped, looking at him with a faint smile. “It’s fine. I want to take a shower now–don’t come in.“[]
With that, she pushed him away and walked straight into the bedroom. Kael stood frozen in place, rubbing his face in remorse.[]
The easier Nova made it sound like she’d forgiven him, the more his heart raced.[]
In the bathroom, Nova washed the suit jacket clean, then put it in a bag and stored it away.
When she came out again, her eyes immediately fell on the milk and the late–night snack on the nightstand.[]
The room lights had also been switched to a warm tone, just how she liked it.[]
It was clearly all Kael’s doing…[]
Her hand, which had been drying her hair, paused. A dense, bitter feeling spread through her chest.
When they were together, Kael had always taken meticulous care of her. Back in the day, during their fights, he’d sneak her a nice meal or a box of apple pie–and she’d forgive him every time.]]
But this time? He’d cheated. It was a matter of principle. She couldn’t forgive that.[]
Nova sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the things on the nightstand…]]
Just then, her phone–charging nearby–started vibrating nonstop.[]
She was worried about missing work messages, so she wiped the tears and hurried to check it.[]
As her gaze landed on the notification popping up on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.[]
