?


    "The bathroom is slippery. What if you fall again?" Damon asked.


    "I''ll be careful," N promised.


    Damon shook his head. "No. I''m running the bath. You''re using the bathtub today."


    As he turned to leave, N quickly grabbed his arm. "Then ask Lydia to help me instead."


    Damon nced back at her, raising an eyebrow. "Lydia is busy making dinner. Besides, I''m your boyfriend. Do you not trust me?"


    N felt her cheeks heat up, unable to meet his gaze. It took her a moment to find her voice.


    "Men and women are different," was all she managed to say.


    "Why are you worried? I''ve seen all of you," Damon replied.


    N was at a loss for words. How could he say something so embarrassing in such a calm tone?!


    She red at him. "Damon, don''t push it!"


    What she didn''t realize was that her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were wide and wet-unintentionally captivating.


    Damon''s gaze darkened, like mes igniting in the darkness, ready to burn everything in its path.


    Realizing the danger, N instinctively moved back, her back hitting the couch.


    Damon leaned in closer, towering over her. "N, are you afraid of what I might do to you?"


    N bit her lip and didn''t respond, but her wary eyes spoke volumes.


    Her once pale lips were now crimson from her bite, looking like a perfectly ripened fruit, tempting one to pluck.


    Damon lowered his head, kissing her lips. They tasted just as sweet as he''d imagined.


    N''s eyes widened as electricity coursed through her, sending waves of warmth throughout her body and loosening her tense body. Seeing that she wasn''t resisting, Damon cradled the back of her neck and deepened the kiss.


    Time seemed to stretch.


    Just as N felt she might pass out, Damon finally pulled away.


    However, he didn''t retreat. Instead, he gently kissed her earlobe and spoke in a low, teasing voice. "N, that''s my reward for helping you with your bath."


    N pushed him away and looked up at him. "You wanted to help me. I gave you that opportunity. Shouldn''t I be asking you for a reward instead?" Damon chuckled. "Alright, then. You can kiss me back."


    Seeing him lean in closer, N quickly covered his mouth with her hand. "Stop it! You have a meeting at 8:00 p.m.!"


    Damon''s eyes crinkled as he took in her flushed cheeks, but he relented. "Fine."


    As he spoke, his lips brushed lightly against N''s hand, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.


    N quickly withdrew her hand, her face even redder now.


    Damon seemed oblivious to her difort and stood up, heading toward the bathroom.


    Before long, the sound of running water filled the air.


    Damon soon reappeared. "Where''s your change of clothes? I''ll go get them for you."


    "Just grab the towel from the leftmost cab," N answered.


    "Got it," Damon replied.


    He opened the leftmost cab, where he found the towel right at eye level. The top towel was a pink one with a strawberry bear print, the cute bear beaming up at him


    He took the towel, closed the cab, and ced it on the rack in the bathroom. Just then, the bathtub was nearly full. He turned off the faucet and carried N in from the bedroom.


    To make it easier for her to wash up, Damon even brought in a chair. After setting her down on it, he leaned over, supported himself on the armrests, and gazed down at her.


    UMS


    "Are you sure you don''t need my help?" he asked.