Chapter 85 Irresistible Touch

Chapter 85 Irresistible Touch

Isabella's POV

The door handle clicked and started slowly pressing down.

I jolted awake from my dream, my heart instantly tightening.

"Oh, sorry babe," Maurice's slurred mumbling came from outside the door, reeking of alcohol. "My head's killing me. I'm gonna crash on the couch for a bit."

I turned my head.

On that narrow single bed, I was alone.

Terrence was gone.

When did he leave? Was it the moment Maurice opened the door, or earlier?

Last night's memories came flooding back.

The humiliation at the party, the man in the alley, the shocking bruises on my wrist.

Then Terrence.

He held me in his arms in the darkness.

His strong arm locked tightly around my waist.

And his cock, hard and burning hot, pressed firmly against the inside of my thigh through the rough fabric of his jeans. I could even clearly recall that sensation—it pressed insistently against my most sensitive spot, so hot it made my whole body go weak.

And his heavy breathing, from trying so hard to hold back, fell on the top of my head.

And I actually kissed his scar.

He rolled over and pinned me underneath him, his solid thigh forcefully pushing between my legs.

I was crazy.

I was really crazy.

That was Maurice's own brother!

How could I have that kind of reaction to my boyfriend's brother?

In that moment, I even wanted him to tear open my nightgown, wanted those rough, big hands to touch my body directly.

Intense guilt and secret excitement twisted together, making me so ashamed I almost cried.

I heard the sound of the bathroom shower from the bathroom.

He was taking a shower.

I couldn't keep lying in this bed overthinking.

I climbed out of bed and randomly pulled on an old pair of gray sweatpants.

My eyes fell on his black hoodie at the corner of the bed.

I bit my lip and put it on.

The clothes were too big—the hem reached my thighs, and the sleeves were so long they hid my hands.

Barefoot, I pushed open the bedroom door.

In the living room, Maurice was sprawled on the couch, snoring like thunder.

He was still wearing last night's clothes that reeked of alcohol, shoes still on, one leg dangling on the floor.

Looking at him completely wasted like that, I surprisingly felt nothing, only deep exhaustion.

The shower sound stopped.

Terrence walked out.

He had just finished showering.

His hair was wet, still dripping water.

Water droplets slid down his sharp jawline, dripped onto his broad collarbone, then disappeared into the depths of his collar.

He wore a pure black V-neck T-shirt.

The fabric was dampened by moisture, clinging tightly to his body, perfectly outlining two full, hard pecs and the clear definition of his eight-pack abs.

His lower half wore loose black sweatpants, the drawstring tied casually, sitting loosely on his hips.

My gaze moved down uncontrollably, landing on the obvious bulge between his legs.

That burning, maddening sensation from last night surged back into my mind.

I quickly looked away, my face burning like it was on fire.

"Morning."

His voice carried the huskiness from just showering, sounding very sexy.

"Morning..." I stammered in reply.

He walked next to me and took a glass from the shelf, pouring himself some water.

Too close.

The fresh scent of body wash mixed with his own dangerous smell, filling my nostrils.

"Rehearsal starts next week?" He tilted his head back to drink, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

"Yeah, Monday morning at nine."

He put down the glass and turned to look at me.

"Tonight I'm having dinner with some buddies from my old unit," he suddenly said.

I froze.

He had mentioned this before going out last night. I thought he was just mentioning it casually.

"Reveille and his fiancée will both be there. You're coming with me."

"What?"

"Come to dinner together," he repeated.

"But... that's your military reunion, why would I go?"

"Reveille's fiancée is a civilian too." He put one hand in his sweatpants pocket. "She's always complaining that when we old soldiers get together, we only talk about guns and missions. You can go keep her company and chat."

He was inviting me.

Using the most legitimate reason to invite me to meet his life-and-death comrades.

This was something Maurice had never done.

Maurice would only abandon me in corners at those messy parties, letting other men harass me.

But Terrence wanted to bring me into his most private circle.

"I..." I hesitated.

I knew I shouldn't go. I should stay away from him, I should maintain my role as his brother's girlfriend.

"Don't want to go?" He raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes growing cold.

"I'll go!" I blurted out.

As soon as I said it, I regretted it—it sounded too eager.

I quickly lowered my head. "I mean... if she needs company, I can go."

"Six o'clock tonight, I'll call you."

Just then, my phone suddenly vibrated violently.

Mia's name showed on the screen.

I quickly put down my glass, wiped my hands, and answered the call.

"Isabella!" Mia's voice was so loud it almost pierced my eardrum.

"I'm almost at your building! Put your shoes on and wait for me at the door—we agreed to go shopping downtown today!"

I was stunned.

When did we agree to that?

"Mia, what are you talking about? I just—"

"Right! That new mall! I'll be there in five minutes!" she cut me off urgently.

Then I heard a strange male voice on the other end of the line, thick with nasal congestion and sleepiness.

"Babe, where are you going? Stay and sleep with me a bit longer..."

Mia gasped on the phone.

Her voice instantly became incredibly serious.

"Oh my God! My friend Isabella has an emergency! I have to go right now! Sorry, I've got to go!"

"Wait, let me drive you..." The male voice was still trying to keep her.

"No need! She already called a car for me! Bye!"

The call ended with a click.

I held my phone, standing there in a daze.

Two seconds later, I finally realized what had happened.

Mia had obviously gone home with someone from the party last night and was now desperately trying to escape from that strange man's bed. And I had become her perfect excuse.

I couldn't help it—I laughed. Then I laughed louder and louder, until I was bent over, my shoulders shaking.

Terrence leaned against the counter, holding his glass, quietly watching me.

I laughed until tears almost came out.

He didn't even ask me what I was laughing about.