[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-415":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},415,67,"Chapter 67: The Half-Loosened Towel","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell King gave a soft hum. \"I think I must have brushed against something when I was washing my face earlier.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just how hard would he have to scrub to end up with a mark like that? Arianna Stone didn't quite get it, but she nodded anyway, playing the part of the understanding companion. \"Try to be gentler next time. Or just use a face cloth.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell chuckled. \"Right. I’ll keep that in mind.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For reasons she couldn't explain, simply hearing his voice made the lingering gloom in her heart evaporate into nothingness. Maxwell let out a long, slow breath, lowering his gaze to look at her intently. \"What was it you said earlier? About sleeping?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That was when Arianna remembered why she had knocked on the door in the first place. \"Oh, right. It’s getting late.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Getting late?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s lips curled, his eyes glinting with a teasing, playful light. He was shamelessly feigning ignorance. Arianna held her ground, doing her absolute best to control the pace at which her ears were turning red. She repeated the statement with a flat, stoic expression.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her tone was perfectly level, yet to Maxwell, it sounded like music. He looked visibly pleased. With a soft laugh, he took Arianna by the hand and led her toward the bedroom, his voice trailing off in an amused lilt. \"Come on, then. It’s time to sleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had just washed his hands, and his fingertips were cool to the touch. Arianna felt her heart skip an uncoordinated beat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The night deepened. The room was cast in dim, dusky shadows, with only a small bedside lamp left glowing. The curtains were drawn tight, sealing the world away. The only sound in the suffocating silence was the steady, mechanical hum of the air conditioner.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, that faint drone wasn't enough to mask everything else. Arianna lay on her side, the soft, rhythmic sound of Maxwell’s breathing right beside her. In this quiet, it sounded amplified a thousand times over, and her heart began to race in response. She kept her eyes squeezed shut, faking sleep. Only when his breathing finally smoothed out, signaling he had drifted off, did she dare to peek at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next second, she found herself trapped in the depths of his intense, watchful gaze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell let out a light laugh. Propping himself up on one elbow, he tilted his head toward her with a lazy, languid air. \"What’s wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was still shirtless, with nothing but a bath towel wrapped loosely around his waist—it was hanging so low, so precariously, it looked like it could slide off at the slightest movement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna grasped for something to say. \"Did you... did you forget to pack pajamas for this trip?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I brought them,\" Maxwell replied, perfectly composed. \"They're back at the hotel where I'm staying. I didn't think to bring them over.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the surface, Arianna remained as calm as a frozen lake, but internally, she was spiraling. Was this even appropriate? What if she lost control of herself in her sleep and accidentally latched onto him? Would that count as harassment?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With that thought, she inched silently to the very edge of the bed, putting a \"safety zone\" between them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A low, amused voice drifted from behind her. \"Arianna.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna kept half her face buried in the pillow, but she gave a muffled hum in response. Her voice sounded small and soft, enough to make any man’s resolve crumble.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was quiet for a long moment before asking, \"Is your stomach still hurting?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A little.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Another stretch of silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you want me to rub it for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nearly choked on her own breath. \"N-no, no, that's fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She scrambled to follow up, her words tumbling over one another in a panic. \"I mean, I don't want to trouble you. You should get some rest, you have work tomorrow, we both need to sleep...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her voice cut off abruptly. Maxwell had reached out from behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder as he gently rolled her over until she was lying flat on her back. His movements were tender, yet carried a rare, underlying authority.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It's alright,\" he murmured, his voice as gentle and intoxicating as ever. \"It won't take long.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna tried to protest, but his palm had already settled over her lower abdomen, moving in slow, rhythmic circles. She went completely still.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Through the thin fabric of her clothes, the contact felt searingly obvious. His palm was warm and soft, his technique so steady that the last traces of her cramping began to vanish, replaced by a deep, radiating heat. She could feel the outline of his fingers—long, elegant, and defined by the subtle, prominent veins on the back of his hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, the tension in Arianna's brow smoothed out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They were so close that Maxwell’s lips were almost brushing against her ear. His voice dropped to a whisper. \"How’s that? Feeling any better?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Much better,\" Arianna said, feeling awkward. \"That’s enough, you can stop now. Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She spoke with frantic speed, her long lashes fluttering, her panic written all over her face. Maxwell didn't stop; he kept up the steady motion, asking, \"Are you still going into the office tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s brow furrowed. \"You’re in this much pain and you’re still going?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I have to,\" Arianna said earnestly. \"Tomorrow is the final day. There’s a meeting to summarize the progress of the past few days, and we have to go over the logistics for the new project. If I don't go, I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up with the team.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you even know if you're going to be on this project?\" Maxwell asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m not sure yet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Miranda Green hadn't given her a clear answer. But Arianna always maintained a positive outlook. \"Even if I don't end up on the project team, it’s good to listen and learn.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stared at her, his dark eyes swirling with something unreadable. She had always been this way. Aside from the occasional insecurities rooted in her upbringing, she was more often like a little sun—earnest, hardworking, and perpetually pushing forward. She never missed an opportunity, just as she never missed a sunrise or a sunset.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then get some sleep,\" Maxwell said, his voice softening. \"You have to be up early tomorrow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna realized they had been going in circles for ages and still hadn't reached the point. \"You should get some sleep, too,\" she whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Stop rubbing it.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could finish the thought, Maxwell said, \"You sleep first.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmm?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'll stop once you're asleep,\" Maxwell coaxed, his tone brooking no argument.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna opened her mouth to argue, but Maxwell gently silenced her. \"Don't talk. Just sleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't give her an inch of space to reply. Arianna could only fall silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under his rhythmic touch, the pain had truly subsided, but sleep was the last thing on her mind. The presence of the man beside her was overwhelming. Occasionally, his hand would drift upward, minding her stomach as well. Every time he did, Arianna’s heart would jump into her throat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a while, she cracked one eye open to sneak a look at him in the dim light.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His dark hair was neat, his features sharp and cold. He was lying on his side, supporting his head with one hand, his posture lazy and carefree—he looked exactly like one of those idle, aristocratic princes from an ancient scroll. The soft light etched out the sharp, high bridge of his nose and the perfect, thin curve of his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His breathing was steady. He must have fallen asleep. Yet, his fingers were still moving, unconsciously continuing to soothe her abdomen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna couldn't find the words to describe what she was feeling. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind a tangled mess of yarn. So many things had veered off course, and she had no idea how to convince herself to face it all with a calm head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She lay there, wide-eyed, until she finally let out a slow breath and tried to shift her stiff arm. She had been tucking it underneath her the whole time to avoid accidentally brushing against his bare skin. It was completely numb now.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What's wrong? Can't sleep?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sudden voice gave Arianna such a jolt she nearly jumped. She turned to find Maxwell’s eyes wide open, watching her in the quiet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had nearly screamed out loud. Once she realized it was just him, she pressed a hand to her chest and exhaled, shaking her head. \"No, nothing. My arm is just asleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't respond immediately, as if he were deep in thought.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with a careful, tentative hesitation. \"Then... would you like to put your hand on me instead?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"???\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What, exactly, did you just say?\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272908074]