Chapter 254 254 The Man She Was Trying To Forget 2

Chapter 254 254 The Man She Was Trying To Forget 2
Joseph stood and lifted her bridal style. Victoria stiffened at first, then forced herself to settle in his arms. His body was warm and strong, and the scent of him wrapped around her like something too familiar for someone she was supposed to be getting over. She kept her eyes away from his face because looking at him from this close would be dangerous.
Joseph linked Ethan that they were leaving. He also told his brother he would head to Ceenas with Adam the next day to discuss the plan and maybe find out what happened to Ashley. He was angry at Ashley for risking her life like that. He was done with her when he said so. Why could she not just let go? Why would she run towards the man who stabbed her, thinking it would somehow bring Joseph back? The thought annoyed him and worried him at the same time, but even that worry could not fully pull his attention away from the woman in his arms.
He carried Victoria to the parking lot and placed her in the passenger seat of his truck. The walk gave him time to feel her. To breathe her in. She smelled like morning dew, fresh and clean, with something sweet beneath it, like wildflowers after rain. The scent did things to him he was not ready to confess. He wanted to damn the consequences and go for what he wanted, but the memory of her jerking her hand away held him back. Maybe she was not interested. Maybe whatever he had thought existed between them was only in his head.
He buckled her seat belt carefully, his fingers brushing near her body without lingering, then went around to the driver’s side. The wound did not hurt as much now, which meant Dr Rosenberg had been right. Victoria sat quietly while Joseph got in, started the truck and drove away from the hospital.
The ride was silent and awkward. Both of them were careful around each other, too careful. Neither wanted to say the wrong thing or make the air heavier, but the silence did that anyway. Victoria stared out of the window, pretending the passing road held her interest. Joseph kept both hands on the wheel and fought the urge to look at her too often. It was strange how easy it had once been to speak to her and how hard it felt now. Something had shifted. He could feel it, and he hated not knowing why.
When they finally reached the mansion, Joseph stopped at the entrance and got out. He came around, opened her door and carried her again before she could protest. Victoria wanted to tell him she could walk, but she knew he would not listen. He carried her into the building and headed towards Ethan’s wing, where he was staying now.
At first, she assumed he was taking her to her room. Then she realised he was not.
“My room…” she protested.
Joseph ignored her completely.
He carried her into his room, closed the door behind them, and placed her carefully on the bed. Victoria sat there, shocked and uncomfortable, staring at him as he moved to the couch and sat down like everything was perfectly normal.
“You saved my life, and now I will be your nurse until tomorrow when I know you will be fine,” Joseph said with a straight face.
Victoria relaxed a little despite herself. The wound felt better, and the pain was only faint now, but a part of her wanted to enjoy the pampering before everything went back to normal. Before he remembered Leah. Before he remembered she was just Victoria. Before this strange warmth between them became another thing she had to forget.
A knock came at the door, and Joseph already knew it was Meadow because she had linked him.
“Enter, Meadow,” he said.
Meadow opened the door and came in with Elaine. She rushed to Victoria’s side immediately, concern written all over her face.
“What happened?” Meadow signed.
Victoria told her everything. Elaine felt terrible for her, and Meadow’s eyes kept moving over her, checking for signs of pain. Victoria did not want them fussing too much, so she smiled and nodded towards Joseph.
“I am better now. I have a world-renowned nurse caring for me,” Victoria said.
Meadow giggled, and because Joseph could not read sign language, she quickly signed to Victoria.
“I think Alpha has the hots for you,” Meadow signed.
Elaine giggled because she understood too.
“No, it is just gratitude,” Victoria signed back.
The movement of their hands and the way they kept glancing at him told Joseph exactly what they were doing. They were gossiping. He did not know what they were saying, and that bothered him more than it should have.
“Should I get you some soup?” he asked, partly because he wanted to help and partly because he wanted to give them space.
Victoria felt weird saying yes. She did not want to behave like she expected him to serve her.
“I think Elaine will help with that…” Victoria said.
Elaine shook her head immediately.
“Alpha, please help; I am already overwhelmed,” Elaine said.
Victoria knew she was lying. Meadow knew too. Joseph chuckled and left the room.
Unknown to them, he had already asked Brian to prepare soup, so he collected it from Brian in the hallway and lingered near the door instead of going straight back inside. It was wrong. He knew that. Eavesdropping on women’s private talk was beneath him, but he wanted to know what Victoria thought of him. He needed to understand why she was pulling away before he made a fool of himself.
“He is just saying thank you in his way,” Victoria said.
There was laughter.
“Joseph can say thank you many ways, but not like this. The guy likes you,” Elaine replied.
Silence followed, and Joseph guessed Meadow was signing something.