Nicholas took in her reaction.
His thin lips curled into a slight smile, and his movements became even more gentle.
Whether it was intentional or not, as he applied the antiseptic, the man's long,
slender fingers would occasionally brush against hers, sending a jolt of heat through her.
It was a simple matter of cleaning the wound, applying ointment, and putting on a bandage, something that should have taken only three to five minutes.
But to Serena, it felt...
As if time was crawling by.
The blush that had started at her ears had now spread across her entire face.
"All done." The man withdrew his hand at just the right moment and put away the medical supplies. "This is all we can do for now. I'll bring you some more medicine tomorrow."
Serena pulled her hand back. "You don't have to. I'm a doctor myself."
She could prepare any medicine she needed and treat it herself.
"You're the patient. Be good and listen," Nicholas said, his gaze falling on the back of her hand. "If you aggravate the injury, your hand will swell up, and you'll have a hard time explaining it to your family."
Serena considered it and didn't refuse again.
Nicholas started the car and began driving toward the Lancaster estate. "By the way," he said, "my grandfather wants to see you."
Serena was looking down, staring at the perfectly treated wound on the back of her hand.
The bandage on her hand was pink and adorned with a cartoon Hello Kitty.
This man... actually had a taste for this kind of style?
Quite a unique preference.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard what Nicholas said.
Her long, dark lashes fluttered up as her clear eyes met his sharp profile.
She was confused.
His grandfather?
Wants to see her?
"You're the reason Brianna was able to come back from death's door and recover so well, able to live like a normal person," Nicholas explained in his low, magnetic voice. "Grandfather wants to thank his granddaughter's savior in person."
Serena was about to say it wasn't necessary.
But the man's low, lazy voice spoke again. "Besides... our families have always been on good terms, and there's the matter of our childhood engagement. Now that his future granddaughter-in-law is back, my grandfather also wants to meet you and talk about the engagement in person."
Serena was speechless.
That last part was completely unnecessary!
This man was a perfect embodiment of "shameless" and "give him an inch, he'll take
a mile"!
The car slowly pulled into the Lancaster family estate.
Serena was about to unbuckle her seatbelt to get out.
But the man had already leaned over, his slender, elegant fingers unfastening it for her.
That sexy collarbone once again assaulted Serena's senses.
He was as flamboyant as a peacock displaying its feathers.
Then, Nicholas got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, opened the
door for Serena, and held out his hand. "Let me help you."
Serena was at a loss for words.
She had only scraped the back of her hand; she wasn't disabled.
But it was obvious this man, who was clearly addicted to playing the knight in
shining armor, had no intention of backing down.
Serena glanced at the brightly lit main house. It was clear someone was waiting for her in the hall.
She placed her hand in Nicholas's palm.
The man's large hand was scorching hot, easily enveloping hers completely.
He shielded her head as he helped her out of the car.
Still, he showed no sign of letting go.
Serena shot him a look.
Nicholas was unfazed. "I'm just worried you'll bump your hand and hurt it again."
Serena fell silent. Yeah, right. You sly fox, you're up to no good.
Behind a floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor of the main house, a fluttering curtain concealed a pair of eyes burring with a jealousy so fierce they could have spit fire
Isabella watched the careful way, Nicholas protected Serena, watched the gentle, focused expression on his face as he spoke to her ang Watched as he held her hand refusing to let go.