Chapter 96
“Did they beat you?” Hera’s voice trembled as she looked at Nash, panic flickering in her eyes. Tears welled up in them, betraying her fear.
Nash gave a faint smile, trying to reassure her. “I’m fine. It’s their blood, not mine.”
“I don’t believe you,” Hera said, her concern evident. “Show me.”
Before Nash could react, she reached for his shirt, her hands trembling as she tried to lift it. But he caught her wrist gently, stopping her.
“Men and women shouldn’t touch each other so freely,” he said with a teasing grin. “You’re playing with fire.”
If Hera saw his scars, she might tell Lauren about them, and then his secret would be exposed. Though Lauren had her suspicions, she was still uncertain whether Nash was the Smiling Grim Reaper.
“Please, you’re my fiancé. Don’t I even have the right to see your body?” Hera challenged, her eyes narrowing. “I just want to check if you’re really alright. Are you that shy, big man?”
Nash rubbed the back of his neck, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. “Am I not human just because I’m a man? Why don’t you show me your upper body then?” he teased.
Hera’s face flushed a deep red, her teeth gritting. “Fine. You want to look? Then look.” Without another word, she unzipped her dress, her face burning as she did.
Nash’s eyes widened. “No, no!” he stammered. “Let me take a shower first. I’ll show you afterward.” In a swift motion, he rushed to the bathroom.
Hera stood frozen for a moment, a mix of frustration and amusement in her gaze. She grabbed her phone and called Skadi, eager for news about the night’s events.
“Is he really not hurt?” Hera asked once Skadi answered.
“He’s fine, I swear,” Skadi reassured her.
“That’s good,” Hera murmured, her doubts lingering. “Thanks.” She ended the call, still puzzled.
A few moments later, Nash emerged from the bathroom, wearing nothing but a pair of beach shorts, flip-flops, and a towel draped around his neck. His muscular abdomen was on full display, and there was not a single scratch or bruise on him.
Hera felt her breath catch as she stared. He inhaled deeply as he dried his hair, causing his abs to flex even more. She could hardly tear her eyes away.
“See? I wasn’t lying,” Nash said with a grin. “The blood was from the bad guys, not me.”
Hera didn’t seem to hear him. Her gaze remained fixed on his torso, her cheeks a bright shade of red. Nash watched her, shaking his head in amusement. “Women are into this sort of thing too, huh?”
Hera blinked, her mind catching up to reality. “Ah… So you’re not hurt. That’s good then!” Her voice stumbled as she quickly turned away. “I-I’m going to shower too!”
She hurried to grab her pajamas and disappeared into the bathroom, still flustered. Nash chuckled quietly to himself and grabbed his own pajamas from the closet, putting them on. He sank into the sofa, absently scrolling through his phone as he continued to dry his hair.
In the bathroom, Hera stood before the mirror, frowning as she examined her face. She didn’t have a single scratch. She had been kicked, sent flying—how could she not have bruises or swelling?
Then it hit her. The injuries she should have had, Nash must have healed them. She recalled the way he had massaged her earlier, his hands gentle but firm, his presence oddly soothing. If he could treat her grandfather’s cancer with dry needling, then healing small injuries like this was nothing for him.
Once she finished her shower, she returned to the living room in her pajamas. She smiled when she saw Nash lying on the sofa, looking so relaxed.
“Do you sleep on the sofa when I’m not around?” she teased.
“Why would I sleep on the sofa when there’s a perfectly good bed?” Nash replied, not looking up from his phone. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”
Hera smirked, crossing her arms. “Then why aren’t you sleeping on the bed tonight?”
Nash paused, glancing at her. “You want to share the bed with me?”
She wrinkled her nose, her smile playful. “No. I think you should stay on the sofa.”
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head, then returned to scrolling through his videos.
As Hera grabbed the hairdryer to dry her hair, her mind kept drifting back to the image of Nash’s six-pack abs.