Chapter 22 Why Are You Never Embarrassed?
Evelyn
Nothing around me could be used to tie my hair, so a tired sigh slipped out while my fingers kept pushing the messy strands away from my face. Quietly, the room door opened at that exact moment, and Adrian walked back inside as though he had never left at all.
Amusement instantly appeared across his features once he noticed me struggling with my hair in irritation.
“You came back?” A small smile accompanied my words.
Rather than answering immediately, Adrian stepped closer before reaching into his pocket. Surprise spread across my face the second I noticed the simple black hair tie in his hand.
My God... did he really leave just to bring me this?
Soft warmth touched his expression before he moved behind me, fingers reaching carefully toward my hair. A shiver crawled through my body when his touch brushed the back of my neck, yet I did not move away. Strangely enough... every ounce of tension inside me melted instead.
“I knew your hair would bother you, Mrs. Carter, so I searched for a hair tie and came back quickly.”
Low warmth filled his voice in a way that completely unsettled me.
Breathing became harder while Adrian slowly gathered my hair together. His breath lingered dangerously close, and violent heartbeats echoed inside my chest.
“Your hair is very beautiful... and long too. I like long hair.”
My eyes lifted toward him, only to realize how close he truly was. Close enough for my attention to fall on his lips before anything else.
“Thank you...” Barely above a whisper, my voice came out weaker than expected.
Curved smile faint across his lips after finishing my hair, then Adrian returned to his seat as if none of this had happened.
“No need for thanks... you look prettier like this. Come on, eat before the food gets cold.”
Heat touched my cheeks before I lowered my gaze back to the soup. Across from me, he sat quietly eating his sandwich while I kept watching him without meaning to.
Everything about him drew my attention... his neat habits, composed movements, even those repeated glances returning toward me every few seconds.
“Eat some soup with me.”
One eyebrow rose playfully. “It is fine, there is no extra spoon.”
Another bite reached his mouth before stopping midway once I moved the spoon closer to him.
“Of course I would not be disgusted by you.”
For a brief second, surprise froze him in place, as though he had not expected those words from me. Silence stretched between us while Adrian stared directly into my eyes in a way that embarrassed me far more than any response could have.
Regret immediately crept into my thoughts.
Did I cross a line? Does he think I am weird?
Inside my head, curses flew at myself while I tried pulling the spoon away, but a sudden smile interrupted me. Calmly, he opened his mouth while keeping his gaze fixed on mine.
My hand trembled.
Shet..
Burning heat flooded my cheeks while his fingers wrapped around the spoon. A low voice followed right after, making nervous tension twist painfully inside my stomach.
“Do not worry... I am not disgusted by you either. Even if you offered me poison, I would take it from your hand.”
Air completely vanished from my lungs for one full second.
This man... what exactly is he doing to my heart?
Confidence flashed through the wink he gave me, forcing my eyes away instantly while an uncontrollable smile betrayed me anyway. Embarrassment burned across my face as I returned to eating the soup.
“I want to eat from your hand too... will you do it?”
Carefully, my gaze returned toward him. Expectation filled Adrian’s eyes as though he truly cared about my answer. A brief pause passed between us before disappointment slightly lowered his gaze, probably thinking I would refuse.
I lifted the spoon toward him again.
That smile appearing on his face this time felt real... so genuine that his emotions almost became visible inside his eyes. Soon, I was feeding him while eating too, and Adrian naturally did the same with me as though this strange intimacy belonged to us already.
Laugh escaped my lips, unable to believe this moment was truly happening. Even so... comfort wrapped around me in a way I had not experienced for many years.
Those eyes remained fixed on me with an intensity that completely unraveled my thoughts. Long stares... admiring ones...
His phone ringing shattered the moment apart.
“Excuse me.” A smile appeared while he pulled the phone from his pocket.
“You are excused.”
Adrian answered the call, and from the sound of it, one of his friends was on the other side.
“I am not home right now... yeah, I am fine, everything is good. Did you buy the things?... alright then, goodbye.”
The call ended while I continued eating my sandwich.
“Sorry... maybe you are busy, and because of me.. ”
“It is okay.” His interruption came immediately. “It is just my friend.”
After finishing our food, Adrian gathered the empty bags and threw them away. Wanting to use the bathroom, I tried standing up, but he instantly moved to help me with the IV stand.
“It is okay, Adrian, I am fine.”
Gentle warmth surrounded my hand once his fingers held it softly.
“If you need anything, tell me.”
Shyness forced me to nod before slipping inside the bathroom, desperately trying to calm my insane heartbeat. Cold water touched my face moments later while I quickly rinsed my mouth, almost afraid any unpleasant scent might remain on me.
Once I stepped outside again, Adrian was sitting quietly on the sofa checking his phone. The second our eyes met, a smile appeared across his face, making me return awkwardly to the bed.
Several minutes later, his leather jacket came off, exposing the firm muscles of his arms along with tattoos covering his skin in a way that held my attention much longer than it should have.
Again, he settled onto the sofa... only this time obvious mischief filled his gaze while looking at me.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that?”
“I do not know... you crossed my mind, so I looked. Is there a problem?”
His attention clearly drifted toward my legs now, and heat instantly rushed into my face because of that look.
Damn it... bold Adrian was back again.
“Why are you looking there?”
A slow smile pulled at the corner of his lips before his eyes lifted toward mine. “Do you really want to know why?”
Why did his voice suddenly sound deeper? And why was I this nervous?
“No.”
Low laughter escaped him. “Then why ask?”
“I do not know... I just asked.”
Dangerous amusement flickered inside his eyes while he leaned slightly forward.
“Mrs. Carter... are you doing this intentionally?”
“I am not doing anything, Adrian. I want to sleep.”
“Then sleep... and cover yourself properly. I cannot guarantee I will control myself.”
A startled gasp slipped from me. “Why are you never embarrassed?”
Laughing softly, Adrian pushed a hand through his hair. “It is one of my qualities, Mommy.”
Shock spread across my face while his shameless smile widened even more. Quickly, I covered myself with the blanket while his sweet laughter echoed through the room in a way that had started lingering inside my head dangerously.
“What? You are embarrassed now? Then how will you play your role? You need to be brave, Mommy.”
“Adrian, stop... I do not want to talk about this.”
That playful smile faded slightly before colder words left him.
“Then sleep, Mrs. Carter. Do not be afraid... I will not touch you while you are asleep. I am not trash, and I am not a teenager.”
Immediately, I lowered the blanket from my face.
“I did not say you were like that, my God, I just—”
“Just sleep.”
Sharpness filled his tone this time... mixed with slight anger.
Near the window, Adrian stood silently with both hands inside his pockets, offering me only his back. My eyes remained trapped on him anyway... broad shoulders, the tattoo stretching across his back, even the black snake wrapped around his arm.
Terrible thoughts invaded my head against my will. Thoughts about his body... about him being close to me... about his touch.
Embarrassment immediately forced a quiet gasp out of me.
What is wrong with me?
Trying desperately to erase those thoughts, Marcus instantly crossed my mind. Did he arrive home safely? Did he take his medicine? Was he still sick?
Yet despite all of that... sleep refused to come.
Fear still lingered inside part of me.
After all, Adrian was still a man... and right now I was weak, alone with him inside a hospital room long after midnight.
Worst of all, my neighbor’s words continued circling mercilessly inside my head.
Why did she say those things about him?