Chapter 14 Tangled Breaths, Swelling Heat
“Sh*u”
to die tonishe
“Who the hell wants to die tonight?!”
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The tattooed man and his crew were furious. Whoever was outside had clearly ruined their mood. Their expressions darkened in unison as they turned to the door like a pack of cornered beasts ready to pounce and tear apart their prey.
Lily didn’t let the opportunity slip
Taking advantage of their distraction, she bit down on her tongue again, drawing blood–and with it, a sliver of strength.
She didn’t hesitate. She scrambled up and made a desperate dash toward the window.
The second floor wasn’t too high, but it wasn’t low either.
Jumping might hurt–possibly a lot if she landed wrong
But if the people at the door were part of the same crew, her nightmare would only get worse. t
This was her one chance. She couldn’t hesitate.
She shoved the window open and launched herself out!
Bang!
The door burst open just as Simon stormed into the room–just in time to see Lily leap out the window into the night.
“Lily!”
The sight made Simon’s heart lurch.
He didn’t waste a second. He barked orders for his men to handle the situation inside while he bolted down the stairs.
Funny how fate worked. He had just happened to be passing through that commercial street tonight..
As he and his men were leaving the area, he spotted Lily in the distance–being shoved into the back of a van.
He wasn’t known for being kindhearted
In fact, he hated meddling in other people’s business–especially Lily’s
But for some reason, the image of that van door slamming shut left him with an uncomfortable feeling. After hesitating for just a second, he ordered his driver to follow them.
“Lily, are you insane?!
He caught up with her in the alley and found her limping, one hand bracing against the wall as she tried to escape.
The more he looked at her staggering figure, the more irritated he became.
He shot her a glare of disgust, then strode forward and tossed her effortlessly into his car.
“Simon”
Lily didn’t expect to see him here.
Thanks to her dance background, she was agile and had managed to land from the second–floor jump without breaking any bones–but she’d twisted her ankle badly and couldn’t move fast.
She knew that at her current pace, she’d be caught again soon.
And worse, the burning heat in her body was growing by the second. If she were dragged back into that motel room, the
Chapter 14 Tangled Breaths, Swelling Heat
drugs would overwhelm her and make her do something she’d never be able to forgive herself for.
J
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Simon hated her guts. There was no chance he’d ever want to touch her. In a strange way, being with him now was probably the safest option.
So she didn’t protest. Her voice raspy, she said, “Can you take me to the nearest police station? I need to report this”
Simon didn’t respond. He just gave her a cold glance and floored the gas
Lily assumed he was taking her to the station and stayed quiet. leaning against the back seat, trying to steady her breathing.
She rolled down the window, hoping the cold air would help her shake off the feverish heat.
But the chill didn’t help. Her head was spinning more and more.
She hated Simon. He always took Elsa’s side, never once giving her the benefit of the doubt. She couldn’t stand the guy.
And yet, under the drug’s influence, she couldn’t stop thinking–he looked kind of tempting.
Lily pinched herself hard, trying to stay grounded.
But they had forced an entire bottle of pills down her throat. Her reason had long slipped away.
She clenched her eyes shut and kept repeating to herself: There’s no man here. Just a dog. Just a dog.
I can’t even lower myself to touch a dog.
Simon wasn’t taking her to the police station.
His men could handle the thugs. He didn’t need to show up in person.
He
had no respect for Lily. None. He even found John’s taste in women ridiculous.
But while driving, he kept stealing glances at her through the rearview mirror.
Her face was flushed with an unnatural redness, her torn collar gaping wide, revealing the graceful line of her neck and delicate collarbones. Her skin was soft and pale, glowing faintly pink like petals in bloom.
Clearly, someone had drugged her.
He watched her with her eyes squeezed shut, long lashes trembling lips flushed and parted. His throat tightened. involuntarily.
“So damn hot”
He could barely catch her whisper, breathy and pained.
That faint sweetness on her skin–light, almost imperceptible–drifted through the air like a spell, teasing his senses and making his mouth dry.
“Lily, shut up!”
Her voice was getting under his skin, so he snapped at her.
Lily didn’t even hear him clearly. She was losing the ability to fool herself.
The one in the carwasn’t a dog–it was a man.
God, she wanted one so badly right now,
Her self–control was crumbling. She didn’t even care if the guy was ugly, if he charged money, or had a horrible body- anything to make this heat stop.
Simon had originally planned to drop her off at a hotel and let her deal with herself.
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Chapter 14 Tangled Breaths, Swelling Heat
But seeing her like this, alone in a room, he couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t do something reckless.
What if she jumped?
That hotel room was on the 16th floor–not the second.
He paused, then decided to take her to his villa instead.
After all, Capital City’s top hotel belonged to the Bale family. He didn’t want a scandal on their property.
Yes. That’s the only reason.
*Lily_”
His car pulled up to the villa, stopping in front of the main building.
He was about to tell her to get out when she suddenly leaned forward and grabbed the back of his seat.
Her face was so close, just inches from his.
When he turned, her lips were nearly touching his. Their breath mingled in the narrow space, thick with tension.
She reached out and teasingly pinched his chin.
Simon’s whole body stiffened.
For once, the usually smug and carefree man blushed.
Was she… trying to kiss him?
The memory of her soft lips brushing against the corner of his mouth that night in the hotel room came rushing back, making his heart beat faster.
He couldn’t stand this useless woman.
But tonight, she’d been drugged. She needed a man
If she really wanted to kiss him, maybe he could… make an exception.
“Lily, you shameless woman. How thick is your skin?”
Her lips drew closer, and Simon’s pulse surged.
He sat upright, cold and gruff. “We’re still in the car. If you’re that desperate wait until we’re inside-”
Then she cupped his face with both hands.
It was the first time a woman had ever touched him like that. His entire body tensed like stone.
It felt reckless to do anything in the car. But she seemed urgent…
He was debating whether to give in or carry her inside when her hands suddenly slid away,
“You’re that weirdo Simon… Ugh, I really am starving.”
When people were pushed to the edge, their standards could fall frighteningly low.
But even with her sanity dangling by a thread. Lily didn’t want to do something she’d regret for the rest of her life.
There was a shallow pool in front of Simon’s villa.
Catching sight of it through the car window, Lily flung the door open, ran to it–and jumped in without hesitation!
“Lily!”
Chapter 14 Tangled Breaths, Swelling Heat
The air was freezing
Simon watched, stunned, as Lily threw herself into the water just to cool down and stay sane–rather than touch him.
His face turned dark.
He’d actually thought she wanted to kiss him….
Was he really less appealing than a pool full of ice!
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