Chapter 150 Touch
She didn’t need him to say it. Her skin was burning, fire crawling across her cheeks.
It wasn’t just her face. Her whole head felt like it was melting, thoughts dissolving into mush.
Her lashes fluttered, and Anneliese quickly turned, dodging the warmth of his hand. She covered it with a hasty excuse.
“That’s how I get when I have a fever. My cheeks heat up. It happens. I’ll take another pill.”
She spun on her heel, ready to retreat to her room.
Before she could move, his hand caught her arm.
She turned back.
Jonathan smiled calmly. “Of course it happens. But you’re hungry, aren’t you? You should eat something before you take the meds.”
He let go and walked toward the dining room.
As he moved away, the air around her finally felt lighter.
She raised her hands, fanning her burning cheeks, and hurried after him.
The hotel had prepared a simple, nutritious meal. The flavors were light but satisfying. Anneliese ate until she felt full.
When they finished, Jessica walked in with Monroe,
Rory had tied them up, leaving Gaston to guard them.
Jonathan’s team hadn’t reached them until late at night. Mountain roads slowed them down, and they only returned by sunrise.
Jessica circled Anneliese, inspecting her carefully. Only when she saw that
Anneliese was fine did she relax.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe I call myself your protector,” she said, voice thick with guilt.
The trip had been almost pointless.
She knew Anneliese trusted her and Monroe‘ combat skills, which was why she had agreed to go with Rory.
Monroe looked equally embarrassed. “Guess all those years hunting these people down came back to bite me in the *rse.”
Anneliese smiled faintly. “What matters is that we’re safe. Besides, who would have thought Rory would give up revenge just for money?”
Monroe wasn’t meant to be a bodyguard. His expertise was tracking and investigation.
He scratched the back of his head. “Lucky Mr. Fullbuster was there. We owe him.”
Jonathan only nodded from the couch.
Zion led Monroe out to rest while Jessica pulled Anneliese into the bedroom.
“Spill it. Did anything happen with Mr. Fullbuster? Come on, don’t hide it. The whole hero–saves–the–damsel moment–tell me everything.”
Anneliese’s eyes darted nervously.
“Nothing happened! By the time he found me, I looked like a drowned body. No dramatic moment can happen in a situation like that.”
Her denial came too quickly, guilt shadowing her features.
The steamy bathroom scene flashed unbidden in her mind.
Jessica saw it all.
Secrets always meant something.
She knew that.
:
She stopped questioning, but her lips were curling into a knowing smile.
“Annie, you’re gorgeous. Even if you’re dead, you’d still be… drop dead gorgeous. Mr. Fullbuster is a lucky man.”
No one knew what advantage Jonathan had taken, but it was enough to leave Anneliese, normally composed, flustered and guilty.
A soft knock broke the air.
Anneliese stood quickly, eager to escape Jessica’s piercing gaze, and ran to the door.
She thought it was Zion.
Instead, Jonathan stood there. He was composed and poised, tall and commanding in the doorway.
Seeing him triggered all the memories from earlier. And the lewd thoughts she was having did not help at all.
His soaked pants, and his drenched upper body…
The half–transparent shirt that clung to his skin and wrapped around his abs. The loosened tie and open collar…
And even the beauty mark on his Adam’s apple that turned just a shade darker from the moisture in the air…
She felt like she wasn’t sick. She was just losing her mind.
A lust–fueled mind.
She nearly slapped herself for thinking it. Her voice came out scratchy. “W–What is it?”
Jonathan studied her quietly, then said, “Zacharias is at the station. He reported that he can’t find you. Do you want to see him?”
Her mind cleared instantly. She frowned and shook her head.
“No. Forget it. Jess and I were just about to head to the airport and get a flight back to Oceaton.”
Rory had shut off her phone and tossed it aside back in the village.
Jessica had brought it back, but it was still charging and dead.
Zacharias couldn’t reach her, so he went to the police. She doubted he was genuinely worried.
Most likely, he noticed Rory had gone missing and panicked. He feared they had teamed up against him.
Let him sweat, Anneliese thought.
“Good. We’re heading back too. We can do it together,” Jonathan replied with a nod.
Anneliese hadn’t answered, but Jessica bounced over excitedly, ready to leave.
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