The collar of his shirt was loosely open, revealing a section of his smooth, impossibly fair collarbone.
Just above it was his prominent Adam's apple.
Such fairness.
So exquisitely sensual.
It was perfect for...
Leaving a mark upon.
Serena's mouth suddenly felt dry, the close-up view a powerful assault on her
senses.
Her cool, refined face was tinged with a faint blush.
She averted her gaze.
She didn't see the man's long, dark lashes lower slightly, or the profound,
captivating meaning that bloomed in his almond-shaped eyes, which reflected her image completely.
The seatbelt clicked into place.
The man started the engine. "Hold on."
The black Maybach quickly pulled into traffic.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a 24-hour pharmacy.
Serena had never cared about such minor injuries. "There's no need. Let's just hurry..."
"Are you sure you want to go back like this?" Nicholas's gaze fell on the alarming wound on the back of her hand. "What will your parents think when they see it?"
Serena fell silent instantly.
If her parents saw this...
They would probably tear the Lancaster estate apart.
They would also force her to rest in bed until her hand was completely healed.
"Wait for me." Seeing her silence, Nicholas thought her lowered head looked surprisingly obedient.
His thin lips curved into a smile.
Nicholas went into the pharmacy and returned quickly.
Serena reached for the bag from the pharmacy.
But Nicholas held out his hand to her. "Give me your hand."
Serena glanced at him, then complied, placing her hand in his palm.
Nicholas's movements were very gentle. He carefully held her hand, bringing it to the space between them.
The car's interior light was soft.
He took out the medical supplies and, with his head bowed, began to clean the wound on the back of her hand with meticulous care.
His movements were so gentle, as if he were handling a priceless treasure.
Serena blinked, staring at the man's
lowered dark lashes, at his man's face, which lookoller
captivating face okede
almost reverent with i reverent with intense foc
He was so close that she could even feel his warm breath ghosting over the back of
her hand, making it tickle.
The antiseptic was cool, making the
man's hand, which occasionally
brushed against her skin, feel
scorching hot in contrast, sending a tingling, electric sensation through her
Serena's heart fluttered again, as if faint ripples were spreading across it.
She hissed softly.
In the past, Serena wouldn't have flinched even if a knife had cut to the bone.
But now, perhaps under the influence of the man's intense concern, she found it a little hard to bear.
Her fingertips trembled.
"Just hold on," Nicholas's voice was gentle. He lifted her hand, brought his lips close, and blew on the wound.
The warm breath washed over her.
It was an intensely tender and affectionate gesture.
Serena pressed her lips together, feeling strangely... that this childish action actually seemed to lessen the slight stinging pain.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt," his voice was gentle, with a coaxing tone.
He carefully applied the bandage to the wound, his fingertips soft, his movements
slow.
Serena wasn't in pain anymore.
All that was left was an itch.
That kind of itch...
It made her heart itch as well.
The layer of frost over her heart seemed to have melted in a corner.
She averted her gaze, looking out the car window.
In the darkness, the window clearly reflected the man's deep, intense emotions.
The air inside the entire car seemed to have become more tender.
A very faint blush spread to the tips of her ears...