Chapter 23 

She lay on her side with her back to Finnien, close to the edge of the bed but not so close that she might easily fw off it was deberete, almost like she was consciously maintaining that perfect balance. 

Everything about her was impeccably composed, not a hair out of place, which only made Finniar’s curiosity ich even more. it was like she was wrapped in layers, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was just as perfect underneath 

Finnien stond by the bed, watching Amers for a long moment before he finally lay down himself. But that itch of curiosity only grew stronger, and his body felt unusually heated. 

He pushed the covers down to his weist, still feeling stified, and loosened a couple of buttons on his shirt, contemplating whether to turn down the air conditioning. 

Then, a tingling sensation spread through him, and he froze, eyes snapping open. Though he’d never been in such a situation before, being a normal man, he knew exactly what his body was telling him. 

With a swift motion, he threw the covers off and sat up, startling Amara awake. 

“What’s wrong?” she asked, turning her head to look at him, her voice thick with sleep. 

It was then that Finnian noticed the subtle redness at the corners of her eyes. Her gaze was dewy, her voice delicate. Beneath the covers, her legs were clearly pressed tightly together, a clear sign she was enduring something similar. 

She was in the same boat as him, yet she held onto her composure without a word, without even a twitch. She was so “put together, it was like she was cut out from a mold. 

Seeing her like this, Finnian couldn’t help but chuckle. In the dim light, his pale skin took on a slight flush, his sharp features softened by the moisture in his eyes. He looked charming and enticing. 

His black silk pajamas hung open at the top, revealing a hint of his collarbone and firm chest, like the seductive men described in novels, 

Amara clutched the covers tightly, feeling that tingling sensation intensify. She was so thirsty, desperate for a drink of water. And she was hot, burning up, wanting to shed her clothing entirely. 

This strange feeling had started a few minutes ago, and seeing Finnian seemed to amplify it. Even though her gaze flickered nervously, Finnian caught the hint. He dove onto the covers, his eyes locking with Amara’s. “You want to do it too?” 

Her face turned crimson almost instantly, and she shook her head frantically. “No, I don’t, I don’t want to!” 

Finnían laughed, even behind her mask he could tell her face was flushed with embarrassment. She didn’t seem so “put–together” now, revealing a more vulnerable side. 

His heart felt like it was being tickled, eager to continue, to see where this would lead. He even entertained a bizarre thought–if she were to take off her mask right now and reveal a scarred face, he might just find those scars endearing. 

He lifted his eyes, tracing the delicate line of her neck, up to her captivating eyes, breathing in the faint scent she wore. 

Normally, she was like a coconut with a tough outer shell that needed cracking to get to the inside, or it’d be difficult to see from the outside. But right now, she was a ripe, juicy peach, exuding a sweet fragrance that made him want to take a bite. 

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