Chapter 99
Hera felt her heart racing in her chest, her breath coming in short bursts. The tension between them was palpable, and it was as though the world outside had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in that small, intimate space. She felt suffocated, her thoughts a tangled mess.
It wasn’t until the light from her phone screen dimmed that she was able to take a shaky breath.
[Are you asleep?] Skadi’s message illuminated the screen once more, breaking the spell.
Hera’s gaze drifted to Nash’s face, which was mere inches from hers. The distance between them felt impossibly small, and Nash, too, seemed aware of it. A faint blush had crept onto his face, his breath mingling with hers, carrying the lingering scent of her shower gel and shampoo. Her soft skin, flushed with a deep shade of red, made him want to reach out, to pull her closer.
A thunderclap rumbled outside, and Hera squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shut out the world around her.
Slowly, Nash reached out and pulled her into his chest, his voice soft and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
His words, deep and gentle, did much to calm her racing heart. She pressed her hands against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palms. She was only wearing her nightdress, and the thin fabric did nothing to shield her from the heat of his body.
Nash, however, was careful not to breathe in her scent too deeply. The temptation was almost unbearable. He closed his eyes and held his breath, willing his mind to focus. His body, however, had other ideas, and the energy below his navel began to stir, restless and wild. He quickly reined it in, reminding himself of his master’s advice.
His master had once spoken about how emotions, especially love, could hinder one’s cultivation. Nash wondered now if that had been the reason his master had chosen to sever ties with his own lover.
Hera, for her part, was trying to steady her own heartbeat. She finally looked up at Nash and asked, “Are you sleepy?”
“I’m fine…” Nash murmured, but the weariness in his voice was unmistakable.
“I… I’m a little sleepy,” Hera admitted, her words barely a whisper.
“Then sleep,” Nash said, his tone soft but insistent.
“I can’t sleep when you’re hugging me,” Hera replied, her voice tinged with frustration.
Nash smiled faintly and slowly released her. He turned onto his side, preparing to sleep, but moments later, he felt small hands wrapping around him from behind. The warmth of her front pressed against his back through her nightdress.
This time, it was Nash’s turn to tense up.
Hera pouted. “I usually sleep with Snow in my arms. Since you’re here, I’ll just treat you like Snow.”
With that, she closed her eyes and soon drifted into a peaceful slumber.
Nash, though, struggled to calm the turmoil in his body. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress the restless fire inside him. Hera, oblivious to his internal struggle, quickly succumbed to sleep, her soft breathing mingling with the sound of the storm outside.
The next morning, the sunlight streaming through the window gently woke Nash. He blinked, the warmth on his face pulling him from his dreams.
He froze when he saw Hera, no longer in the position she had been in the night before. She had somehow shifted in her sleep, and now her legs were wrapped around his waist. The thin fabric of her nightdress had ridden up, exposing her smooth, fair skin. Her legs, long and slender, looked almost ethereal in the soft morning light.
Nash’s breath hitched. He looked up, unable to tear his eyes away from her exposed skin. His gaze fell to the lace of her white underwear, barely visible beneath the fabric, and his pulse quickened.
“Hmm…”
Hera stretched lazily, her legs straightening, and Nash’s mouth went dry. Blood rushed to his head, and before he knew it, he felt his nose start to bleed.
He cursed under his breath and pinched his nose with one hand, using the other to quickly pull the blanket over her to cover her exposed midriff.
He couldn’t believe it. He’d always prided himself on his self-control, but this… This was a new level of temptation.
Hera stirred, rubbing her sleepy eyes. “Nash, what time is it?”
Nash glanced at the clock. “It’s ten minutes to nine.”
“I’m going to go…” Hera sat up abruptly, only to realize her nightdress had ridden up. Quickly, she smoothed it back down, but then noticed Nash pinching his nose.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked, concerned.
“I’m having a fever,” Nash lied smoothly, hoping she wouldn’t press further.
Hera didn’t seem suspicious. She walked toward the bathroom, calling over her shoulder, “There are some fever meds in the drawer. Take two pills later.”
After changing into her work clothes and putting on some light makeup, Hera hurried off to the company. Nash followed her to Baroque Group’s headquarters, where they were greeted by an unexpected sight.
Harrison, their colleague, was in the office, looking battered and bruised.
“Dad, what happened to you?” Hera exclaimed, rushing over to him.
Before Harrison could answer, Lauren appeared, her face full of frustration. “We thought you were up to no good again, so we started looking for you when the headache started,” she said, obviously irritated.
Hera’s mind raced, trying to process everything happening around her. The sudden chaotic atmosphere was unsettling.
As they continued through the office, discussions turned to Helena’s birthday party, which had been planned for the same day as Hera’s. It was clear that some strategic maneuvering was in play, and Hera found herself caught in the middle.
“The problem is,” Lauren sighed, “if both birthdays are on the same day, it’s going to be awkward.”
Nash, seemingly indifferent to the drama, spoke up unexpectedly. “You should celebrate it at the Chateau Hotel.”
Hera shivered at the mention of the luxurious venue. “I don’t… It’s no use even thinking about it,” she said, shaking her head.
The Chateau Hotel was part of the Skye family’s massive fortune in Capiton, and even the wealthiest families struggled to gain access. The idea of holding a birthday party there felt like an unattainable fantasy to Hera.
Nash’s words lingered in the air, leaving Hera with a feeling of uncertainty.