She was burning up all over, not just her breath and forehead.
Something was definitely off with her.
Seeing her like this, Stuart was shocked and thought, 'It's almost like she's taken something.'
He didn't want to think too much about it and tried to get out of the car.
But Josephine clung to him, refusing to let go, like they had never been apart.
Stuart's heart softened.
It took a lot of effort to pry Josephine's hands from around his neck.
"Be good," he said in a low, hoarse voice, trying to keep it together. "I'll be quick, wait for me."
Josephine was pressed against the seatback, her eyes misty and alluring.
Stuart closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself, and then resolutely got out of the car without looking back.
As the car door opened, a cool breeze came in, and Josephine had a moment of clarity.
But soon, she was overwhelmed by desire again.
After a while, the driver's door opened.
Stuart bent down and carefully carried her out.
Josephine clung to him like a a parched soul finding water, her delicate lips lingering on Stuart's neck.
Stuart carried her upstairs, soothing her softly along the way.
He didn't take Josephine home but directly into his neighboring house.
Josephine clung to him like an octopus, and Stuart felt like he was losing control of his desires.
Sweat was already forming on his forehead as he struggled to place Josephine on the bed and finally removed her arms from around his neck.
He reached for his phone, took a deep breath, and dialed a number.
Steven picked up the call, somewhat surprised, "Rare to hear from you, Mr. Haustia?"
Steven was the kind of person who could get along with Rex.
Their personalities were somewhat similar, both carrying a bit of casual dominance.
For Steven, the only person who could soften him was Laura.
Everyone else was the same in his eyes.
Stuart spoke in a restrained voice, "Mr. Bailey, I need a favor."
Steven was quite surprised, "Help from me? What on earth could Mr. Haustia need help with?"
"Are you with Laura?" Stuart asked.
Steven replied, "No, she went to get her nails done."
Speaking of which, Steven felt a bit aggrieved.
Laura wasn't working now, but she was busier than him every day.
Steven had things to do too, and when he was done and wanted to be close to her, he couldn't find her.
Laura wanted to get her nails done, and Steven wanted to go with her, but Laura dismissed him, saying, "It's all girls there, what are you going to do?"
"I'll wait for you nearby," he insisted.
At least he could see her, pinch her cheek, and hold her hand.
Laura adamantly refused to let him accompany her, leaving Steven to wait at home.
Receiving Stuart's call, he was genuinely surprised.
He asked, "What's going on?"
Stuart said, "Please tell Laura that Josephine won't be coming back tonight and ask her to take care of Jeffery."
Steven immediately objected, "Why don't you tell her yourself? Are you with Josephine? Wait, have you two reconciled?"
If that were the case, Steven would be even more upset.
Why should Stuart be with Josephine while Laura helped them take care of the child, and he had to sleep alone?
Of course, he knew Laura was Jeffery's godmother and was happy to take care of him.
Steven had also told her, if she liked kids so much, they should have one.
But Laura completely ignored him.
When he said it too much, Laura got annoyed, "If you like having kids so much, have one yourself!"
Steven was exasperated, "I'd have to be able to give birth for that to happen."
"Then let someone else have one for you!" Laura glanced at him, "There are plenty of women who would want to have your child."
Steven wanted to strangle her, "Do you really want someone else to have my child?"
They were in bed at the time, and Laura kicked him.
Steven grabbed her ankle and pressed down on her, "I only want you to have my child."
"Get lost!" Laura glared at him, "I'm not having one!"
Steven's hand slipped under her shirt, and he whispered, "Not now."
"Not ever!" Laura insisted.
Steven wasn't angry anymore, his hot kisses falling on every corner of her body.
He pressed down, his voice low and sexy, "All my energy is wasted."
Laura understood his implication and chuckled, "Then don't waste it on me."
Steven kissed the corner of her lips, "No, I only give it to you."
"Whether you give it or not is your business," Laura said, "Whether I accept it is up to me."
"You won't accept it?" Steven clenched his teeth in frustration and intensified their intimacy. "Then I'm out of here."
Laura had her legs wrapped around his waist, but hearing this, she immediately let go and pushed him away, "Go then!" she retorted.
Steven, unwilling to leave, thrust even deeper into her. "No way! Can you really let me go?"
Laura said, "Well, I might miss it a bit, it feels pretty good. So finish this..."
She didn't finish her sentence before Steven angrily covered her mouth.
He was really stuck on Laura.
He couldn't hit or scold her, and even when he was so angry, he had to coax her.
He really owed her.
"I have a situation here," Stuart's voice brought Steven back to reality, "So please help me."
Steven said, "Why should I help you?"
He'd rather help Rex; at least Rex was his brother.
Stuart said, "If I get back with Josephine, I'll ask her to put in a good word for you with Laura."
Steven got angry, "Do I need you to put in a good word? Besides, will she listen to you just because you ask her to?"
Stuart said, "Just tell me if you'll help or not."
Steven gritted his teeth, "I can help you, but I won't hide it from Laura."
"Thanks."
Steven ended the call, contemplating how to disclose this to Laura.
He didn't want to meddle and end up being blamed later on.
Stuart didn't even have time to put his phone aside; he just threw it and grabbed Josephine's hand.
She had been tearing at her clothes, struggling with the high-necked top, which was hard to take off. She had already lifted it, revealing her smooth, tight abdomen.
Stuart's desire boiled over just looking at her.
In just that moment, she had already clung to him, her hands around his waist, her cheek pressed against his clothes, craving the coolness of his body.
Stuart thought, 'Is this her way of deliberately tempting me?'
Josephine's condition was clearly due to something she had ingested, but he didn't know who was responsible.
Right now, Stuart could only suspect Alfonso.
But finding the culprit wasn't the issue now; the problem was, faced with such a passionate Josephine, what should he do?
He pushed Josephine away a bit and spoke with difficulty, "Josephine."