Chapter 126
Christopher massaged skillfully for quite a while until he felt the skin under his palm getting slightly warm, and the swelling seemed to have reduced a bit. Only then did he ease up on the pressure.
He looked up at Olivia, fine beads of sweat forming at his temples from the effort. "How do you feel? Does it still hurt badly?"
Olivia tried moving her ankle. Though still somewhat uncomfortable, the sharp, stabbing pain had indeed lessened considerably. She shook her head gently. "Much better, not so painful anymore."
Only then did Christopher completely let go, capping the ointment and putting it back in the medicine box.
For a moment, the bedroom fell silent.
The air was filled with the faint minty scent of the ointment, along with the wordless, indescribable tension flowing between them. The warmth of his palm seemed still branded on her ankle, and the alluring scene he'd witnessed when he barged into the bathroom kept flashing uncontrollably in both their minds.
Olivia cleared her throat somewhat uncomfortably, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. Her eyes drifted elsewhere as she said quietly, "I need to get dressed; you should leave first."
However, Christopher didn't move. His gaze slowly traveled from her reddened ear tips to her deliberately composed face, his eyes darkening like deep pools.
Not only did he not leave, but he leaned in closer, his arms braced on either side of Olivia's body, trapping her between the bed and himself. His voice was low and dangerous, with a hint of inquiry. "Really doesn't hurt anymore?"
He was too close, his hot breath brushing across her cheek with intense aggression.
Olivia thought he was just confirming her injury. Though her heartbeat inexplicably quickened, she still nodded and repeated, "Right, doesn't hurt anymore."
The moment she finished speaking, a dark fire suddenly flashed through Christopher's eyes, like ignited wilderness.
He abruptly lowered his head, capturing her slightly parted lips and swallowing all her unspoken gasps.
At the same time, his tall frame pressed down, pinning her firmly between the soft bed and his burning chest.
"Christopher, you..." Olivia was both embarrassed and annoyed, her hands pushing against his chest, trying to push him away.
"Don't move." Christopher's kiss briefly left her lips, lingering at her ear. His voice was impossibly hoarse, carrying scorching heat. "I told you, this time I'll use protection."
His large hand had already deftly slipped under the covers, caressing Olivia's smooth back.
"There's still some time before dinner."
Christopher's kiss descended again, deeper than before, carrying irresistible dominance and temptation. "Since your foot doesn't hurt anymore, we might as well do something else to pass the time."
Olivia instantly understood the true meaning of his "do something to pass the time."
Reason told Olivia she should refuse, should push him away. The messy relationship between them shouldn't deepen any further.
But Christopher's kiss was too passionate, his embrace too powerful. His familiar scent and skillful caresses were like the most effective drug, easily breaking down her resistance.
Olivia's resisting hands gradually lost their strength, finally softly clinging to his shoulders.
Her consciousness gradually blurred in the tide of passion, her body's instincts betraying her rational struggle.
Under Christopher's practiced seduction, she retreated step by step. In the end, she was still led by him to sink together into this warm yet dangerous ocean woven by desire in the evening hours. Outside the window, the sunset completely sank below the horizon, and night quietly fell.
After resting for a full day at Christopher's villa, Olivia felt mostly recovered. Although Christopher insisted she rest more, thinking about the piling company matters and that Sunday's planned trip to Tyumen Resort for hot springs was the next day, the schedule was indeed tight. She still insisted on going to the company early the next morning.
The documents on her desk requiring her review had already piled up quite a bit.
Olivia rubbed her temples, took a deep breath, and quickly got into work mode. Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, coating her focused profile with a soft golden glow.
Around ten o'clock, Victoria knocked and came in, carrying two cups of freshly brewed coffee. The rich aroma instantly filled the office.
"How are you feeling? Did you rest enough yesterday?"
Victoria placed one cup by Olivia's hand and sat down in the chair across from her with the other, examining her complexion with concern. "You look much better than yesterday, but..."
She listened carefully and asked, puzzled, "Why does your voice sound a bit hoarse? Are you not completely better yet?"
Olivia's hand reaching for the coffee paused almost imperceptibly, and a barely noticeable blush crept up to her ears. Hoarse?
This instantly reminded her of yesterday afternoon's entanglement, which didn't end until nearly nine in the evening when she was starving.
If she hadn't insisted on eating, Christopher probably wouldn't have let her go easily.
She naturally couldn't tell Victoria about such private reasons.
Olivia picked up her coffee, using the rising steam to hide the unnaturalness on her face, saying vaguely, "Probably still some aftereffects, nothing serious."
Victoria didn't suspect anything, just asked worriedly, "Will you be okay going to the hot springs tomorrow? Don't let it get worse."
"Don't worry, no problem."
Olivia nodded firmly.
Victoria said enthusiastically, "By the way, I also contacted Serenity's side and coordinated the timing with her agent."
"Our company's new season 'Warm Winter Whispers' jewelry ad campaign has some outdoor scenes we haven't found the right place to shoot. I think Tyumen Resort's snow scenery and hot spring atmosphere fit perfectly, so I scheduled the ad team to go tomorrow too, to shoot the outdoor parts while we're there. Serenity herself is very interested and will be there on time."
Olivia had no objection. "Good, you arrange it. Serenity has a healthy image that matches our brand well, and shooting at the hot spring resort is indeed a good creative idea."
Just then, Victoria's phone rang. It was her older brother, Kian, calling.
Victoria answered, "Kian, what's up?"
On the other end, Kian's gentle voice came through. "Victoria, come home for dinner tonight? Mom's been missing you for days."
Victoria thought about how she'd already declined two family dinners because she was busy. Not going this time would really be unreasonable, so she agreed. "Alright, I know, I'll come back tonight."
After hanging up, Victoria sighed helplessly at Olivia, her shoulders slumping. "Tonight I have to go back and face that annoying Elysia again. I really don't know what she's brainwashed my mom with. Every time we have dinner at home, seeing her put on that fake act makes me sick."