novelxo Chapter 66
Chapter 66
“No, obviously,” Stella said with a wicked grin. “You can’t have crayfish while you’re recovering, so this
whole plate is for me
She beamed as she held up a freshly peeled crayfish before him, gloating. “I can eat this and you can’t! It’s
delicious and sweet and succulent!
Brian couldn’t
it stand seeing her gloat, so he gripped her by the wrist and brought the crayfish to his mouth.
When he devoured it whole, the tip of his tongue brushed against Stella’s fingertips.
Stella felt like she had just been jolted by an electric current. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at Brian incredulously
He flashed her a devilish smile. “Delicious, indeed.”
Stella blushed. She couldn’t help pointing out, “You’re usually particular about being hand–fed. Aren’t you
worned that you might get the runs after eating crayfish that I peeled?”
*I’ll just settle the score with you if I do get the runs,” Brian said.
Rendered speechless, Stella grumbled, “I’d watch what I eat if I were you, Mr. Fussy Stomach. Stick to
your ravioli
‘I won’t be there to hold you upright on the toilet if you get the runs, you know.”
Brian paused before countering, “Whose fault is it that I broke my leg?”
Feeling guilty, Stella looked down and dared not retort..
His gaze fell on her lips. He was suddenly reminded of how she had looked that morning when she lay on
his torso, her face flushed.
She was as beautiful and tempting as a rose in bloom. Yes, a woman like her befitted all the praise one
might render a rose.
Brian stared at her for a moment and said, “I think we have some unfinished business before Joseph and
Bernard interrupted us this morning
Blood rushed to Stella’s cheeks, her stomach tightening at the thought of the heated scene this morning.
“Shall we pick up where we left off? Brian asked suggestively.
Her eyelashes fluttered as her gaze flickered to his face. “What?”
“Shouldn’t you make it up to me after you had my leg put in braces?” Brian asked, his gaze darkening as
he looked at her
Stella’s heart skipped a beat. “How should I make it up to you?”
“The usual way. Come over here and kiss me,” he said.
I don’t think that’s a good idea. Stella was admittedly flustered by his suggestion. With their relationship on the brink of falling apart, she doubted kissing him was appropriate.
Brian coaxed, “Just one kiss. Come on, try it.”
Stella didn’t look too convinced.
Sensing her reluctance, Brian said, “It’s the least you could do after you knocked me down on the slope
and broke my leg.”
At this point, Stella’s face had turned an alarming shade of crimson.
The air crackled with tension as silence fell between them.
Brian suddenly held out a hand. “Come here.”
“Why?” Stella dared ask.
“Come sit by me,” he said.
“You’re hurt.” She made a point of looking at his injured leg
“You’ll just have to be careful.” Brian patted the bed, beckoning her over silently as he stared at her
reddened face.
Just like that, they embraced
Stella was bashful, but she also wanted to get this over with. She looked at him and asked, “What do I do
now?”
‘Put your face closer and kiss me,” Brian ordered.
She had to rack her brains to remember how they used to kiss. She sorted through her memories.
She looked shamefaced when she realized that Brian was the one who usually pulled her into his arms
and kissed her.
At the thought of that, Stella glanced at Brian and found him staring at her. His eyes were dark and
fathomless, like a beautiful void that called out for her,
When she noticed he had no intention of moving, she mustered her courage and craned her neck to kiss
him.
Their lips touched.
Brian’s eyes widened fractionally. As his gaze darkened, he put an arm around her waist and pulled her
closer.
Stella was finding it hard to breathe as Brian kissed her back.
She was scared, but she couldn’t bring herself to shove him away. Her hands clutched the front of his
dressing robe, her knuckles pressing against his warm torso.
She was getting nervous.
Brian noticed this and cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
Stella melted into the kiss, feeling her mind slip.
His lips were hot against hers, and she wasn’t sure if she was burning up or if the room was getting warm,
Blushing, Stella whispered, “I think that’s enough, Brian
Brian did not plan on letting her go this easily. Emotions flickered in his gaze as he pulled her hands off
the front of his robe and kissed her again.
He grazed his teeth along the curve of her lips, demanding more.
Stella felt like her mind had imploded.
He told her they were just trying things out, but the kiss lasted a little too long for this to be a sampling
session.
She was surprised her face hadn’t set itself alight as she shoved Brian away. “Okay, stop!”
Brian didn’t press her for more this time. He was hurt and in recovery, so his movements were limited.
He just couldn’t stop himself from wanting more after that first kiss. Her lips were too addictive.
Brian took a deep breath and said, “We’ll try again after I’ve recovered.”
“No way,” Stella ground out, her face still hot
“You must take responsibility, he insisted.
Stella was so exasperated that she got out of bed and stormed out of the room.
She had only just flung the door open when she saw Sharon and Jessica standing outside the study.
They had come together, it seemed.
Jessica was smiling as she said, “Mrs. Foley heard about Brian’s injury and wanted to visit him.”
Startled, Stella quickly combed her hair into submission “Sharon,” she greeted the older woman.
Sharon looked grim, but she said nothing about Stella’s disheveled state as she asked, “How’s Brian?”
“He just ate.” Stella answered.
Sharon eyed her from head to toe. A beat later, she said, “Go downstairs.”
Jessica led Sharon into the study, beaming as she greeted the man inside. “Brian, Mrs. Foley heard your
were unwell and decided to visit you!”
Brian snapped, “Why’d you have to blab?”
Jessica faltered. She dared not utter another word.
Sharon patted her hand comfortingly. She turned her gaze on Brian and chided, “Don’t blame Jessica. I
came here because I heard you were injured.
1 wanted to see how you were doing. Are you all right? Does your leg hurt?”
Stella stood outside the study and listened to the trio’s conversation through the gap in the door.
She couldn’t help thinking how much they looked like a family; she was merely an outsider.
Looking away from the scene in the study, Stella made her way downstairs despondently.
She liked taking walks when she was upset. It calmed her mind and soothed her emotions
After an hour, she stopped in her tracks and gazed up at the mulberry tree.
When Jessica and Sharon had concluded their visit, they left through the front door of Yolvencrest Estate. They stopped when they saw Stella gazing up at the mulberry tree in the yard.
“It’s Stella,” Jessica remarked.
Sharon glanced at Stella, who had her back to them and scowled. “Jessica, wait here while I have a few.
words with Stella ”
“All right. Jessica nodded obediently, a smug smile tugging on her lips as she watched Sharon approach.
Stella.
‘Stella, Sharon called.
Stella turned around and saw Sharon. She also noticed Jessica standing not too far away
“Sharon,” Stella greeted softly.
“What were you doing upstairs with Brian?” Sharon demanded, pinning her shrewd gaze on Stella. “Are
you so desperate that you’d seduce him even when he’s injured?”