"You..."
Harper lifted her gaze, her voice halted by Joseph’s lips.
The cool touch intertwined with fiery breath, pausing momentarily as he gradually delved deeper, savoring her essence.
Joseph watched the expression on her face. The crimson cheeks and hazel eyes both resembled a hallucinogenic poison that drew him deeper and deeper.
"Joseph."
Harper reached for Joseph's clothing beside her, feeling as if intoxicated. She closed her eyes, allowing her bewildered thoughts to spiral further into oblivion.
Sanity had long been forsaken.
Joseph kissed her, starting from a tender exploration to an intense fervor. Harper's passive demeanor acting as a catalyst clouded his senses.
Unconsciously, the two found themselves entwined in bed.
Their breaths mingled together, filled with heavy sighs.
With Joseph pinning her down on the bed, Harper gazed at him dazedly, her luscious lips radiating a subtle sheen.
"We..."
Before Harper could speak, Joseph leaned down to kiss her once more.
Was it an irresistible impulse or a tangled infatuation?
Harper no longer cared. Following her instincts, she raised her hand to encircle the man's neck, hesitantly responding.
Joseph took note of her actions, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. His fingers wove through her hair, gradually softening his touch.
Nervously biting her lip, Harper refrained from resisting.
Despite Joseph not having gone any further, she suddenly furrowed her brows, clutching her abdomen, crying out, "It hurts."
Joseph lifted his head in bewilderment. "What's wrong?"
He hadn't...
Harper felt utterly mortified, wanting to disappear into thin air. "I think... I have my period."
The two faced each other in silence, both momentarily awkward, unsure of what to say.
In the room, only the lingering warmth of hearts beating could be heard.
Realizing his recent lack of control, Joseph inwardly took a deep breath, sitting at the edge of the bed, pulling the covers to cloak Harper's bare shoulder.
Curling up, Harper's blush subsided slightly, replaced by an emerging deeper hue of embarrassment.
Oh no, this was beyond embarrassing!
She, just a moment ago, hadn't refused Joseph, even appearing so eager, contemplating some sort of intimacy.
Fortunately, they hadn't done anything!
Blushing with shame, Harper covered half her face with the blanket, yet couldn't resist stealing a glance at the man who had already left the bed.
Joseph had clothed himself once again, his well-defined fingers deftly buttoning up his shirt, transforming instantly into a restrained gentleman.
After regaining her composure, Harper spoke, "I wasn't planning on moving out. There's a new designer competition in Lindwood City. Our company has two slots, one for me and one for another female colleague. We will be led by Patrick."
Though Harper staunchly believed in her freedom to do as she pleased, she didn't want Joseph to misunderstand her abrupt actions.
Joseph paused in his dressing, realizing his misinterpretation.
A flicker of discomfort crossed his face, his mood involuntarily lifting.
Turning around, he saw Harper curled up in bed, hand still on her stomach, her expression pitiful.
Gathering the discarded clothes from the floor into the hamper, Joseph retrieved a comfortable set of pajamas from the wardrobe, placing them by Harper's side. "Put these on first. I'll make some soup for you."
Hearing his words, Harper was inadvertently reminded of how awkward they were just now . She was almost naked beneath the covers... oh dear.
Harper tightened the blanket around her, the slight relief of her dissipating blush now resurfacing.
Joseph looked at her before exiting the room.
Harper watched his back disappear into the doorway, and finally, breathed a sigh of relief.
That oppressive feeling made her blush and her heart raced uncontrollably!
After quickly dressing, she fetched a sanitary pad from the cabinet and headed to the bathroom.
As Joseph prepared the soup, he found himself momentarily distracted.
The scenes of Harper's coquettish expression and their awkward kiss played out like a movie before his eyes. Despite her usual fragile appearance, Harper possessed a hidden strength. An impulse surged within Joseph, swiftly suppressed.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his jawline creating a pleasing curve as he tilted his head back. Seeing this, Harper, who had just witnessed his movement, found him remarkably handsome.
"Is it ready?"
Harper remained at the doorway, just gazing at him dully.
Joseph, without an apron, rolled up his sleeves on his white shirt, revealing muscular arms. "It's done."
Scooping some soup into a bowl, he stirred it gently, then blew on it before walking over to Harper. "Careful, it's hot."
Harper held the bowl, hesitant as she sniffed it, visibly repulsed.
The taste was a challenge to her palate.
Nevertheless, the abdominal ache felt like a whirlwind inside her, unbearable in waves.
Observing her reaction, Joseph furrowed his brow slightly. "The soup is effective when consumed hot."
Harper stared blankly at him.
Shouldn't he say something like, "If you don't want to drink, you don't have to"?
That was how the warm gentlemen in dramas usually behaved.
But Joseph was completely different. His face showed no sign of yielding to her wishes.
Under his almost warning gaze, Harper gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and downed the soup in one go.
Joseph's expression softened slightly as he took the bowl from her hand and turned back to the kitchen.
When he returned, Harper sat, despondent, leaning back on the bed, massaging her stomach.
This sight was familiar to Joseph. Every month during these days, Harper would be in this state.
He poured her a glass of warm water, placing it on the bedside table. "If it's that painful, cancel tomorrow's trip."
"No way!"
Defiantly, Harper shook her head. "I finally have this opportunity. How can I prove myself if I don't go?"
Joseph glanced meaningfully at her abdomen. "How will you go to the airport if you still suffer from menstrual cramps tomorrow?"
Harper shot him a look. "Are you cursing me? Tomorrow I won't be in pain!"
He hoped so. Typically, this kind of situation only lasted a day, easing by the next.
Seeing her pale face, Joseph sighed helplessly.
He had witnessed Harper's stubbornness before. Once she set her mind to something, no one could persuade her otherwise.
"Move over a bit."
Harper lifted her gaze inexplicably. "What?"
Pointing to the inner part of the bed, Joseph nodded and added, "Scoot over."
Understanding his intent as he sat on the bed, Harper obediently shifted to make space.