Chapter 222 His Tenderness

Chapter 222 His Tenderness
Bianca's POV

"Are you crying?”

I jerked in surprise, turning quickly to hide my face, but the sudden movement caused my elbow to knock over the rim of the cup.

The hot coffee sloshed, splashing across my bare forearm.

"Ouch!" I cried out, clutching my wrist to my chest.

“Shit!" Leon quickly grabbed the paper dispenser and yanked out a few rolls, pulling my arm over the sink to dab away the hot liquid.

"Damn it, I'm sorry," he murmured as he wiped the coffee off my skin. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"I'm fine," I said, trying to pull my hand back from his grip. "It's my fault. I wasn't paying attention."

Leon did not let go, his fingers tightened gently around my wrist. "No, you aren't fine. Look at that red mark. I don't want you to have any scars, let me take care of it."

"Leon, please, it's just coffee," I insisted, my heart beating fast at his closeness. I could smell his cologne and his fingers on me made me tingle. "You don't need to make a fuss."

"Your skin is soft, Bianca," he said in a stern voice. "I've seen you bruise over the simplest things. I insist, let me put something on it."

I stopped pulling and stood there, looking down at our joined hands. Clearly, he wasn't going to back down so I sighed and gave a defeated nod. "Okay."

He released my wrist, stepped down the hall, and opened a silver cabinet mounted on the wall.

Even with a company this large, Leon was a man who obsessed over small details.

Every floor had its own dedicated first-aid supplies, fresh water, and clearly marked fire exits.

And he knew his way around despite being CEO. Leon Steele worked because he wanted to. He didn't have to be here everyday, but I knew he was a workaholic and work was his life.

He returned a few seconds later carrying a small white tube.

"This is a burn ointment," he explained, unscrewing the cap. "It cools the surface and stops any scarring from forming."

"Okay," I whispered.

"This might sting just a little bit at first," he warned softly as he reached out and took my arm again.

Gently, he dabbed a drop of the clear cream onto the red patch on my forearm, rubbing it in with small, circular motions.

"Oh—" I gasped at the slight sting.

"Hey, hey," he murmured soothingly. "I'm sorry, baby."

I looked into his eyes, wondering if he realized the slip or was he just trying to get under my skin by calling me ‘baby’?

Then to my shock, he lifted my arm slightly and began to blow on the red patch.

I didn't know when I purred and he looked up at me.

"Are you hurt, baby?" he asked softly.

Somehow, the question felt far bigger than the burn on my arm.

The look in his eyes was so concerned and innocent that looking at him right now, it seemed impossible that this man could ever hurt me.

He looked like the most honest person in the world, as if every promise he had ever made to me was written plain across his face.

I looked at his lips, close enough to feel the faint warmth of his breath.

Being this close to him made every rational thought, every warning from Julian, and every ounce of my anger dissolve into confusion.

How could I hate someone whose touch made me feel so much desire?

How could my heart hate him when my body seemed addicted to him?

I watched as his lips moved slightly, almost as if parting for mine.

I froze, not knowing how to turn away when all I wanted to do was allow him kiss me. Even if for one last time.

"Oh, hey! Thank goodness you both are here," a voice called out from the hallway.

I pulled my arm back as if I had been burned a second time, quickly tugging the cuff of my blouse down over my wrist.

Simon was standing at the corner of the corridor, holding a leather tablet.

He paused, looking between the two of us with wide eyes. "Did I interrupt something?"

Leon cleared his throat, stepping in front of me to block Simon's view.

"What do you want, Simon?"

Simon swallowed. "I'm sorry to interrupt, sir, but I just got off the phone with your lawyer and he mentioned that he wants an urgent pre-trial meeting with you tomorrow morning regarding Marcus."

Leon hissed. "I already told the legal team to handle Marcus's arraignment without me. I have no desire to sit in a room with him."

"I understand that, sir," Simon said carefully, glancing down at his tablet. "But with the charges being what they are, felony battery and attempted assault, Marcus is facing a serious prison sentence. The press is already sniffing around the precinct. For the sake of the firm's stock, we need to handle this quietly.”

"Really? You think every time my son coughs, my company is affected?”

"I think you should be present at the preliminary conference, Mr. Steele,” Simon advised insistently. “And, of course, Miss McIntyre has to attend as well."

I looked up from behind Leon. "Really? Why do I have to go?"

"No, she doesn't," Leon cut in firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. "This has nothing to do with her anymore. I will deal with my son by myself."

Simon offered an apologetic grimace. "I'm afraid that's not how trial and law suits work, Mr. Steele. Since our attorneys are representing Miss McIntyre as the primary complainant, she has to be present to verify her statement. Unless she is medically unfit to attend, the judge requires her in the room. We could file for a postponement if she isn't up for it, but—"

"I want to be there," I interrupted, stepping around Leon so Simon could see me clearly. "This is my case. Marcus attacked me and I am not hiding."

Leon turned his head, looking down at me with a deep frown. "Bianca, you don't have to do this. You don't need to put yourself through that room. You know how volatile Marcus gets when he's around you."

"No one is going to keep fighting my battles for me, Leon," I said, meeting eyes stubbornly. "If the court demands that I be present to make the charges stick, then I will be there."

Simon looked back and forth between us, clearly wanting to disappear. "Well... if you both decide to confirm the morning schedule, just send me a brief email or a text so I can notify the attorneys."

"I have already decided," I told Simon firmly. "I will be present at nine sharp."

Simon looked at me, then looked at Leon, as if waiting for the final word.

Leon stared at me for several long seconds and then finally seeing that I wasn't going to budge, he gave Simon a single nod.

"Set the conference for nine," Leon ordered flatly.

"Right away, sir," Simon said, turning around and hurrying back.

Once Simon was gone, Leon turned to me.

"I know you enjoy defying me, Bianca," he stated wearily. "But I can handle my stupid son without putting you through that stress."

"And I can handle my ex-husband," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. I looked down at my wrist, where the cooling ointment had finally worked, then looked back up into his eyes. "Thank you for the ointment, Mr. Steele. But don't try to make decisions for me next time."

Before he could say another word, I turned on my heel and walked straight back toward my office, leaving him standing alone by the coffee machine.