11:12 Wed, Jan 7
The flee Powerlouses Who Match the Unwilling fulls
Chapter 31 Shameless
He stepped even closer. Ava immediately lifted a band to her chest, slipping into a defensive stance – Mr. Caswell, cornering a lady like this is hardly chivalrous.”
Laurent tugged at the corner of his mouth, silent and amused. “This counts as cornering? Then, how about this”
One hand came down on the armrest of Ava’s chair. Heat rolled off him, invading her space and swallowing what tiny territory she had left.
Laurent stopped only inches from her face. After studying her for a moment, he reached up and brushed her hair aside. Leaning in close to her car, he said quietly, “Ms. Morren, do you know that interfering in a military marriage is a crime? It goes straight to a military tribunal, especially when it involves someone like me–a soldier fighting on the front lines.
“Disrupting morale makes it even worse. So, tell me, Ms. Morren. Are you still determined to end this relationship?”
He was far too close. Ava could feel his breath, hot and unmistakable. It took only seconds before her ears burned red.
This man is worse than those two brothers. Much worse. I underestimate him. I think he is the polite, easygoing type. I forget that, at his core, he is a soldier who charges straight into battle.
Laurent noticed the delicate curve of her ear, once fair as porcelain, now flushed as if it might bleed. His throat tightened. It took real effort to look away. His gaze drifted downward instead, catching the slender line of her neck, now stained pink as if it had been brushed with rouge.
He let out a low laugh.
“Ms. Morren, looks like you’re being affected by me.”
He stopped teasing her then. Standing up, he moved to the chair beside her and poured more coffee into her cup. “Have another.”
Ava grabbed the cup and downed it in one gulp. She drank like it was his blood, as if only that could ease the fury boiling inside her.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” he continued. “Do you still want to sever our relationship?”
“You are shameless,” she snapped.
“You call this shameless?” Laurent shot back. “Then, what do you call your actions earlier? We were forcibly matched. Then, the moment it suited you, you ran back to the Morrens and cut me loose like nothing ever happened. What am I to you?”
When he got to that point, a faint edge of hatred crept into his eyes. He did not want her to see it, so he turned away. “I am not an object. I am not something people pick up when they want it and toss aside when they are done.”
Ava was angry.
1/3
She was angry that Laurem had pushed her so hard.
Yet the momem he mentioned the forced march, guilt followed close behind. She really did one bu much. Tm kry” she apologized sincerely
One wrong erp led to another
I’very mistake traced back to her decision to go to the March Bureau in the first place. Since the hard triate that choice, she had no one else to blame for the consequences.
Since you’re apologizing.” Laurent responded. ‘Til let it go. After a pause, he added. “Your coming–of–age party is coming up soon. I’ll try to stay until after that before I head back to the army
Ava no longer had the energy to respond. Her head throbbed, the pressure building until she was dizzy
Out of nowhere, rain poured from the sky. It was sudden and heavy, drenching them in seconds.
The fat raindrops stung when they hit her skin.
Ava sucked in a sharp breath, wincing. What awful weather. It starts raining whenever it feels like it and never gives anyone a chance to prepare.
Laurent grabbed Ava’s hand, and in the next second, pulled her straight into his arms. Her forehead pressed against his chest, and she could hear his heartbeat pounding hard and fast.
In the blink of an eye, they were back inside.
He set her down and turned to grab a towel.
Ava frowned. “Couldn’t you at least warn me first? It’s not like I can’t run on my own.”
Laurent shot her a look. “With those short legs of yours? You wanted to make sure you were drenched to the bone?
She glanced down.
Her clothes were soaked and glued to her body. Whatever she had been about to say died in her throat.
He looked her over–from her hair still dripping water down to the fabric clinging to her skin.
She was soaked through and through.
“Go take a shower,” he said. “Don’t catch a cold. Give me your clothes. I’ll dry them for you.”
Am I supposed to take a shower in a stranger’s house? Ava shook her head. “No. I’ll dry off right away.”
“Ava, what are you so worried about?” Laurent looked at her. “I’m not that desperate. Get inside. Or do you want me to carry you in myself?”
He grabbed a clean shirt and tossed it to her. “First room on the right down the hall.”
Ava took a few steps. Then, she turned back to look at him. “What about you?”
2/3
“Cu first. Don’t worry about me
In the study. Liam and Jonathan were in the middle of a chess game. The faint clinking sounds from outside drifted in as rain began to fall.
Jonathan held a black piece and pressed it down onto the board. “See? You lost again.”
You really outplayed me.” Liam said with a laugh. “Impressive as always.
Ava pushed the door open.
Floor–to–ceiling windows stretched across the room.
The floor was laid with rosewood, its rich grain spreading outward in endless rings.
The spacious sitting area felt almost bare, with no decorations at all. Against the minimalist gray wall hung a single bow, stark and solitary.
A hallway opened to the left, leading inward. At a glance, she could tell it was a bathroom.
She flicked her eyes toward it, and a quiet guess formed in her mind as she frowned. The room feels cold and
sparse, yet it still carries traces of its owner. I can’t understand how he could be so casual about letting me into his own
room.
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