Chapter 465
Susanna lowered her head, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“Sorry,” she mumbled in a small voice, just like Stella had taught her. “I didn’t mean to.”
No matter what Hull thought–whether he was furious enough to want to strangle her or just mildly annoyed–an apology seemed like the safest bet.
When Stella got back, Susanna planned to pack her bags and leave. Even if Star suggested they move to the Quinn family house, she’d go. Anything was better than staying here, alone with this man. Living under the same roof with a guy was awkward enough without the added drama of tonight’s little incident.
From the top of the stairs, Hull watched her standing downstairs like a nervous rabbit, unable to see her face clearly but noting the repentant way she held herself.
His lips curled into an amused smile. “What are you sorry for?”
Susanna hesitated, “For, uh, pulling off your towel.”
Hull’s face went blank at her blunt honesty, and the room went silent.
Susanna’s mind raced.
Oh no! Stella had told her never to mention that, just apologize and be done with it.
Hull’s presence was overwhelming, making it impossible for Susanna to ignore.
“I–I didn’t mean it like that,” she stammered.
Hull raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then what did you mean?”
“I swear, it wasn’t on purpose,” she insisted, her voice small.
The sound of his footsteps heading toward her was like thunder in her ears.
Hull stopped before her, his long fingers lifting her chin to meet his gaze.
Susanna’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.
“Mr. Miguel, would you like some water?” she offered nervously, holding out a half–empty glass.
Images of the mortifying earlier scene flashed in her mind, and she wished she could just dig a hole and hide forever. How could she have been so clumsy?
Hull didn’t take the glass. Instead, he
tightened his grip on her chin slightly. “What did you see earlier?”
Susanna’s eyes widened. She’d seen… everything.
“Uh, that,” she blurted before catching herself. Wait, she couldn’t say that out loud! She shook her head vigorously. “I didn’t see anything.”
As if that weren’t enough, she added under his sharp gaze, “Really, nothing at all.”
In truth, she had seen it. Thinking of the rumors about Hull, Susanna thought he seemed perfectly capable, which was not what she had heard.
Her thoughts were cut short as Hull released her chin, grabbed the water glass, and headed back upstairs without another word.
Only after the door closed did Susanna let out a breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Oh my God! Dealing with a man like Hull required nerves of steel, and she wasn’t sure her heart was up to the
task.
Just as she was about to sneak back to her room, the phone downstairs rang.
21:11
Sighing, Susanna turned to answer it. “Hello?”
“Susanna, it’s Silas,” came the voice on the other end.
Susanna rolled her eyes, annoyed. She wasn’t Hull’s girlfriend, and she wished everyone would stop assuming
she was.
“Tonight, you need to watch over Hull,” Silas continued. “Ensure he doesn’t take a shower.”
Susanna blinked. “Um, he already did.”
“What?” Silas’s voice rose in alarm, nearly deafening her.
“Geez!” she exclaimed, pulling the phone away from her ear.
“Listen, you might need to stay with him tonight,” Silas urged. “He’s probably going to come down with a fever
now.”
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