Zarek didn’t budge.
His dark, captivating eyes studied her silently.
Charlotte couldn’t handle direct eye contact, quickly looking away whenever their gazes threatened to meet
He watched her face.
She fixed her attention on his collarbone.
Their eyes playing an awkward game of tag.
Seconds crawled by in the silent room as she waited for him to make a move.
Her discomfort mounted with each passing moment.
He couldn’t seriously expect her to undress him… could he?
Charlotte glanced up, opened her mouth, then closed it, wanting to ask but not knowing how. Finally, unable to bear the tension another second, she blurted, “Fine, I’ll just do it myself!”
It was only taking off a robe to treat a wound!
Better to rip off the Band–Aid than drag this out!
Without waiting for permission, she reached forward toward his chest.
Her subtle perfume drifted over him.
Her slender fingers pressed lightly against his chest.
Time stood still.
Thump–thump…
The unexpected strength of his heartbeat made her eyes widen.
Her mind went blank.
Her hands froze in place.
She’d planned to start with the slightly parted front of his robe and work backward, but the moment her fingertips connected with his warm, firm chest and she glimpsed the contours of muscle beneath the silk fabric, she completely short–circuited.
“What exactly… do you think you’re doing?”
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Chapter 54
His low voice, caught between confusion and suspicion, rumbled right by her ear, his warm breath ghosting across her check
It sent a shiver down her spine.
Making something inside her turn liquid.
Charlotte yanked her hand back like she’d touched fire. “I need to–different angle.”
Zarek raised an eyebrow, “You need a different angle?”
Charlotte wanted to crawl under the bed and die.“…That came out wrong… I just meant I need to get your robe off!”
That sounded even worse!
A hint of amusement crossed Zarek’s face. “Maybe take a breath. You seem… enthusiastic.”
She was NOT enthusiastic!
Her face burned so hot she could probably fry an egg on it.
Zarek’s expression–halfway between resignation and amusement–seemed to confirm her supposedly inappropriate intentions.
Charlotte started to explain, then realized any explanation would only dig her deeper. Instead, she simply moved around to his back.
When she’d said “different angle,” she’d meant positioning herself behind him!
To help him undress from behind… God, even in her head it sounded bad!
After a moment of silent panic, she forced her brain back into professional mode.
This was about treating a wound!
Changing bandages!
A completely innocent medical task!!!
“Creeping behind me like that–planning my murder, M
Whitmore?”
Zarek’s voice held a teasing lilt..
Charlotte forced an awkward laugh, then without further hesitation, reached for his neck. She slipped her hands inside his collar, trying desperately not to touch his skin, though inevitably making contact with his neck, collarbone, shoulders, and arms… It wasn’t intentional, just unavoidable.
The robe slid from his upper body, revealing a vast landscape of smooth, pale skin.
His shoulders were impossibly broad, tapering to a narrow waist, and from her side view, she could see the defined
The Tobidden Pa
muscle line running from his abs down toward his hips… The proportions were almost umreal, like a classical statue come to life, power evident even at rest.
The man should come with a warning label–her brain helpfully supplied.
Now that she was behind him where he couldn’t see her face, Charlotte felt less self–conscious, even finding herself appreciating the view that had entered her field of vision.
Looking was one thing, but she didn’t allow herself to stare. The task at hand took priority.
Kneeling on the bed, she carefully unwrapped the bandage around his waist.
Taking the medication, she meticulously applied it with a cotton swab. The ointment was wet and tacky, so she instinctively blew on it to speed up the drying process….
Zarek went completely still.
Every muscle in his back visibly tensed.
Once the medication looked dry enough, Charlotte took fresh bandages and began wrapping them around him, her hands circling his waist repeatedly….
“Stop. That’s enough.”
The words came out sharp and sudden.
His voice sounded like he’d swallowed gravel.
The veins in his neck and arms stood out prominently.
Charlotte froze mid–motion, confused, still holding the loose end of the bandage. I’m almost finished… Did I hurt you?”
Zarek’s expression was unreadable but intense.
He didn’t answer her question. Instead, he pushed her hands away. “Just–go. I’ll finish this myself.”
His voice was ice–cold.
His breathing noticeably uneven.
Charlotte felt a spark of anger ignite.
She had been so careful and considerate. She’d used the gentlest touch possible. What was his problem?
This man was absolutely impossible!
Being his assistant was a nightmare!
Zarek seemed to register his harshness. He turned slightly, his tone softening. “Go make something to eat. I’m
13.35
hungry”
Charlotte had a resignation letter mentally drafted but pioned the wonder they contage
better
She climbed off the bed
Her knees had gone numb from keeting so long When her fear hir the foce, besed, and the troppet her knees with a soft thud.
leg
Zarek’s head whipped around in alarm. Looking down at her wing with both hands head in the floor he asked, “What’s this? Begging for a promotion?”
Charlotte glared up at him “My legs fell asleep, gend
She sat back on the carpet rubbing circulation back into her knees before standing and stalking our
Zarek remained motionless for a long moment.
Slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth
In the kitchen.
Charlotte yanked open the refrigerator, seething with frustration
Any “Thero who saved my life” filter had completely shattered tonight
Figuring that even if the prepared a five–star meal, that imposible man would find something to criticize she spotted some fresh pasta and decided on the simplest option possible.
She grabbed some garlic cloves and a wedge of Parmesan, throwing together a basic Garlic Parmesan Pasta with minimal effort
When she carried it out, she found Zarek had emerged from his bedroom and was sitting in the living room.
“Eating here?”
Charlotte brought the pasta over.
Zarek stood up. “In the dining room.”
Charlotte mentally screamed: Then why were you sitting HERE?
She bit her tongue and carried the pasta to the dining table, setting it down with slightly more force than necessary.
Zarek sat down and stared at the simple pasta with garlic and cheese. After a long pause, he nodded. “Not bad.”
“Thrilled you approve,” Charlotte responded with artificial sweetness.
Her smile couldn’t have been more fake if it was plastic, while mentally she was rolling her eyes so hard they might get stuck.
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Being sarcastic, was he?
Whatever.
Eat it or wear it. I couldn’t care less.
Zarek glanced up. “This is too much for one person. Get ander bond and you me
“I’m not hungry.
Charlotte’s refusal was immediate and firm.
The last thing she wanted was to share a meal with him!
She had come here genuinely concerned about his health, only to be mocked for supposedly having an inflated ego.
She had carefully tended his wound, only to be dismissed for being too rough
Now she’d cooked for him, and predictably, he was finding fault again. Did he think she was a doormat?
Her harely contained frustration was dearly visible. Zarek watched her for a moment, then said quiedy. T’m sorry.”
Charlotte blinked in surprise
That was unexpected.
Her anger cooled slightly. “If you can’t finish it, just leave it.”
“I meant about earlier.”
“Hm?”
Earlier? Which “earlier” exactly?
But Zarek didn’t elaborate, just lowered his head and continued eating
Charlotte watched as he methodically finished the entire plate of pasta without another word. When he was done, he dabbed his mouth with a napkin and looked up. “It was good. Really”
…Whatever.
Charlotte had given up trying to decode him. “If that’s all, I’ll head back downstairs.”
She waited for his dismissal.
Instead, Zarek studied her for a long moment, making her wonder if she had sauce on her face or something
Just as she was about to break the silence, he finally spoke. “In the future, no matter where I am or who I’m with, don’t stay away. If you want to come in, come in.” His eyes held hers with unexpected intensity. “And for the record… even if there was something between us, I wouldn’t let it become gossip fodder.”
Chapter 94
His expression was completely serious, his gaze so penetrating it seemed to see right through her.
