Chapter 428
Lewis cleared his throat.
"Familiar? More like just recently done," he muttered.
Aria suddenly leaned in, resting her head on Lewis's shoulder, and whispered with a playful laugh, "Is it a Windsor family tradition to seduce with abs?"
Her breath tickled his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
Lewis's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse, "No."
"Then why do you and Simon have the same flirting technique?"
A few days ago, when Lewis couldn't come home and had to video call her, he also showed off his physique.
But Lewis's approach was bolder than Simon's.
Aria still remembered the image on the screen: Lewis in a loose bathrobe, water droplets sliding down his chest, leaving a tantalizing trail on his skin.
As she thought about it, her fingers started to wander, "Let me feel if you've lost any muscle from eating all those healthy meals with me."
Lewis suddenly grabbed Aria's hand, glancing at the others still on the video call. He stood up and scooped Aria into his arms.
"Let's go upstairs."
His voice was low and suggestive, sending a thrill through her.
Aria was silent as she was lifted off the ground.
She wrapped her arms around Lewis's neck, realizing she might have pushed things too far.
By the time Leroy and Becky peeked into the living room, Lewis and Simon were nowhere to be seen.
"Where did they go?"
"No idea, maybe Aria wasn't feeling well and went to rest."
They didn't think much of it, unaware of the romantic scene unfolding upstairs.
Aria pressed her hand against Lewis's chest, wanting to scold him.
But seeing the desire in his eyes, she felt a pang of sympathy.
Oh well, it's not like she indulges him every time.
When the curtains were drawn again, the sun had already set.
Aria squinted at Lewis, smiling, "Did you bring me up here just to watch the sunset?"
Lewis was silent.
He paused, not saying a word.
He had tried to restrain himself, but it seemed he had gone a bit too far.
Aria yawned, leaning against the headboard, "Isn't Simon coming back soon?"
"Almost," Lewis replied, pulling Aria into his arms and gently patting her back, "Take a nap, I'll wake you for dinner."
Aria nodded, closing her eyes, and soon her breathing steadied.
When she opened her eyes again, it was dark outside.
The bed beside her was still warm, indicating Lewis had just left.
Alice, the little robot, approached, "Mr. Windsor went downstairs. He said you could rest a bit longer."
Aria acknowledged, but she was already getting up.
Simon was probably back, and she needed to check on him.
As she descended the stairs, the scene in the living room came into view.
The large space was filled with pillows, and Simon, blindfolded, was grinning mischievously, "Are you all hiding? Here I come!"
Aria was speechless.
A random thought crossed her mind: "The emperor wants to play catch the butterfly!"
She glanced at Lewis on the sofa, throwing him a puzzled look.
Lewis smiled silently, clearly enjoying the show.
In the pillow-filled arena, Simon wasn't the emperor catching butterflies but the target of an ambush.
Watching Simon get hit by a pillow thrown by Becky, Aria couldn't help but laugh.
Becky winked at Aria, inviting her to join the fun.
But before the invitation was fully extended, Lewis intercepted it.
He walked over, his footsteps barely audible. Simon chuckled, turning to pounce, "Gotcha!"
Someone laughed, making Simon's heart skip a beat. Something felt off.
Lewis pulled the blindfold off Simon's face, raising an eyebrow.
Simon was silent.
Oh no, this wasn't a butterfly; it was his uncle.
He quickly let go, laughing nervously, "Uncle."
Lewis responded calmly, "Are you hurt?"
Simon was startled, "How did you know?"
"I can smell the antiseptic."
Lewis looked down at him, "Where are you hurt? Is it serious?"
"Not serious, just a minor accident."
"Didn't you say everything was planned?"
Simon looked down, embarrassed, "Plans always have unexpected turns. You have to get used to it."
Lewis chuckled, "No barbecue for you tonight."
Simon was silent.
...
As the New Year approached, the festive atmosphere grew stronger.
The streets were decorated with lights, and invitations to New Year celebrations poured into the Windsor Mansion like snowflakes.
Penelope had joined them, and when she wasn't handling official duties or spending time with Garrett, she enjoyed plotting surprises for him with Aria and Becky.
She planned to visit him for the New Year.
Aria toyed with a New Year's invitation from a brand, lazily suggesting, "Why don't you just show up at his place?"
Penelope sighed, "I can't. He says he needs to maintain a clean image."
Aria was incredulous, "Aren't we clean enough?"
Penelope didn't respond, just stared at the invitation in Aria's hand and the stack of gold cards beside her.
Aria followed her gaze and fell silent.
Alright, it did seem a bit off.
Becky, munching on a new cake, suggested, "Why don't you give him a room key? It'd be easier for him to come to you."
Penelope sat up, considering the idea.
When Lewis came out of the study to get water, he saw the three of them huddled together, deep in conversation.
He greeted them, then returned to the study, casually mentioning to the person on the other end, "I think you might be in for a surprise."
Garrett was puzzled.
"Why does that sound ominous?"
After a moment of silence, Garrett squinted, "You're not planning something bad for me, are you?"
Lewis chuckled, not answering.
It wasn't his plan; it was Garrett's lover's.
There would definitely be a surprise, but whether it was good or bad depended on the situation.
Lewis thought, smiling again as he took a sip of water.
Garrett, unnerved by his smile, asked, "What are you up to?"
"Nothing."
Garrett's suspicion grew.
He needed to be on guard, just in case Lewis was up to something.
After a moment of silence, Garrett suddenly asked, "By the way, how's that thing I asked you to handle?"
"Why worry about something I’m handling? Relax, there won't be any problems."