Chapter114 Want to Watch Me Shower?
Outside the restaurant.
The midday sun was blindingly bright.
After saying goodbye to Jack, Miranda took a cab back to the hotel.
She didn't dwell on running into Harrison at the restaurant, nor did she know about Ariana's elaborate scheming in the private room.
As far as she was concerned, seeing Max's true mercenary colors early was actually a blessing.
Back at the hotel room.
Miranda swiped her key card and entered, closing the door behind her and tossing her bag on the entryway table.
"Phew..."
She let out a long breath, kicking off those beautiful but torture-device heels, stepping barefoot onto the soft carpet.
The tension from the entire morning finally eased, and exhaustion washed over her like a tide.
The room was very quiet, curtains half-drawn, the lighting somewhat dim.
This empty silence made her instinctively think of Clifton.
She wondered if his mission was going smoothly, if his back wound had reopened.
Miranda rubbed her sore neck as she walked toward the bedroom, debating whether to text him again.
Just as she reached the bedroom doorway, a faint sound of running water caught her ear.
Splash, splash...
Coming from the bathroom.
Miranda froze, instantly alert, her eyes sharp.
Someone here?
Had Clifton returned?
Her heart jumped, and much of her fatigue vanished.
It had been a full day and night since she'd seen Clifton.
Though he'd texted this morning to say he was safe, without seeing him, her heart remained unsettled.
She tiptoed toward the bathroom, listening to confirm if it was him.
Just as she reached the bathroom door, before she could knock...
Click.
The bathroom lock turned.
Miranda instinctively stepped back.
The door was pulled open from inside, and a wave of warm, humid steam rushed out, carrying the faint scent of body wash mixed with the cool, masculine scent uniquely his.
Miranda looked up, her breath catching.
Clifton stood in the doorway.
He'd clearly just finished showering, steam still rising from his body.
His hair was soaking wet, water still dripping, droplets sliding down his sharp jawline, past his sexy Adam's apple, over his broad, solid chest, finally disappearing into the white towel loosely wrapped around his waist.
Their eyes met.
Amusement flickered in Clifton's eyes as he casually draped the hair-drying towel around his neck.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them to a dangerously intimate range.
That intense masculine presence instantly enveloped Miranda.
"What?"
Clifton leaned down slightly, his voice carrying that post-shower depth and lazy quality, the end rising with an indescribable roguish charm.
"Want to watch me shower?"
"Who wants to watch you shower!" Miranda immediately denied it.
She stepped back, but moved too quickly and wobbled.
Clifton reacted instantly, his long arm reaching out to wrap around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
"Mmph!"
Miranda crashed into that scorching, damp embrace.
Her palm pressed against his hard chest muscles, still slick with moisture, the sensation so vivid it made her scalp tingle.
She quickly changed the subject. "Let's go to the hot spring."
Clifton raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on her excited face, his tone teasing.
"Miranda, did you forget I have an injury on my back?"
"Or..." He deliberately lowered his voice, leaning close to her ear. "Are you trying to murder your husband so you can inherit my fortune?"
His warm breath against her ear made it tickle.
Miranda gave him an annoyed shove, throwing back the covers and getting out of bed while retorting.
"Who's trying to murder you? Is that the kind of person I am?"
She walked to the desk, picking up the thick hotel services guide, flipping through it noisily.
"I did my research before coming. This hotel has a VIP exclusive medicinal spring on the top floor. It has several medicinal herbs that are good for your wound."
She pointed at the description as she spoke.
"Your wound has fully scabbed over now. There's no open injury, so you can soak. Plus, this medicinal spring will help your recovery and relieve muscle fatigue."
Without waiting for Clifton's agreement, she picked up the room phone and dialed the front desk.
"Hello, I'm a guest in the penthouse suite. I wanted to ask if the private medicinal spring is available now?"
"Yes, the one with the medicinal herbs."
"Great, we'd like to use it. Please prepare it and clear the area."
Clifton leaned against the headboard, watching her bustle around the room, finding swimsuits, grabbing towels, muttering as she confirmed details.
This scene slowly melted his usually cold, hard heart.
He'd spent so many years in gunfire and danger, used to bearing injuries alone, used to bleeding without tears.
Never had anyone cared so much about his small injuries, researched carefully for him, even calculated every detail of a simple bath.
This feeling of being treasured in someone's heart was special.
Clifton didn't realize the smile curving his lips, one he couldn't suppress.
Hanging up the phone, Miranda turned around and met the man's deep gaze directly.
"All set."
She lifted her chin with a "praise me" expression. "I confirmed the spring is empty now. I moved our reservation up to tonight."
Clifton stood, his long legs carrying him to her, hands in his bathrobe pockets, leisurely observing her.
"When did you book it?"
Miranda froze, lowering her head to pretend to organize the towels in her hands.
"When you said you'd come on this business trip with me."
"I paid extra attention when booking the hotel."
"I originally planned for us to go after your mission ended. Didn't expect we'd have time today."
Clifton's Adam's apple bobbed sharply, his heart feeling filled to bursting.
After a simple dinner in the hotel restaurant to restore their energy, they went straight to the top floor's open-air private spring.
The environment was excellent, surrounded by plants for maximum privacy.
The pool was steaming, the water's surface carrying a faint medicinal fragrance that wasn't pungent but rather reassuring.
Clifton removed his bathrobe, revealing that iron-hard physique.
Under the amber ground lighting, every muscle line on his body radiated explosive power. The large area of fresh pink scabs on his back looked somewhat shocking against his honey-toned skin, yet added a wild, battle-worn beauty to him.
He stepped into the water with those long legs.
The warm medicinal spring instantly enveloped his entire body, that warmth seeping through his pores, letting his perpetually tense nerves finally relax completely.
"How is it? Does it hurt?"
Miranda crouched at the pool's edge, nervously watching his back.
Clifton leaned against the pool wall, letting out a comfortable sigh, turning to look at her.
"Doesn't hurt. My back feels warm and comfortable."
He reached out his hand toward her, palm up, those jet-black eyes reflecting the water's light, as if trying to draw her soul in.
"Come in."
Miranda pulled her bathrobe tighter, shaking her head.
"I'll stay out."
She sat on the stone steps by the spring's edge, dangling her legs. "I'm not injured. Too much of this medicinal spring causes heat buildup. I'll just keep you company from here."
Actually, she felt a bit self-conscious.
Though they'd already been intimate, bathing together in this open-air environment felt... too stimulating.
Clifton raised an eyebrow, his eyes darkening slightly.
"Keep me company?"
He chuckled softly. "What's the point of just watching from up there?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly rose from the water with a splash.
Before Miranda could react, a large, wet hand grabbed her wrist.
"Ah!"
A strong pull came.