Chapter 45
spiere among ment”
Cynthia’s thoughts spinalot. “Zachary’s perfect—absolutely perfect. A tate mistripiere.
She quickly shook her head, disgusted with herself. What was she dog, ogling an sediuan? And it was Janice’s fiancé, no less!
Snapping out of it, she rushed to the bathures and arbored moments later with a basis of warm water.
indaway, the raw, jazzed wound came into view. It
“Don’t move. You might Aggravate the wound. Let me clean it for you,” Cynthia said, kneeling beside him and setting the basin down. She wrung out a towel and gently began wiping his leg Tears of caring for Yasmine, from both times to scraped knees, had made her movements practiced and efficient. Yet as the lë
was deep enough to make her heartache.
Het touch became leather light. She was caufaltion to host him
Zachary’s deep gaze lingered on her face, his expression softening into something uncharacteristically tender
For the past few days, he had observed her care for Mas with meticulous attention. Now, feeling that same care directed toward him was strangely soothing
Like the first borear of spring her touch carried a warmth he hadn’t expected.
Cynthia, tally focused on treating his wound, didn’t notice his gaze. She cleaned the area thoroughly, then picked up a cotton swab and some antiseptic. With quiet concentration, the dabbed at the wound, methodical and precise. She never once koled up,
Zachary noted the peculiat sense of ease she brought with her presenen it was calming and intriguing, which was unlike any other woman he had known
“Do you do this often?” he asked suddenly
Cynthia nodded absently: “Yeah Yasmine’s a little wild. She’s always getting humps and scraps. I’m used to patching her up.”
“Who’s Yasut
ohn. She had dipped up.
Cynthia quickly forced a smile and tried to divert the conversation. “Just a kid i know. Anyway, your wound is cleaned and treated. Does it hurt? Do you need a painkiller?”
Zadury didn’t seem to notice her awkwardness. His pare flicked briefly to the bow on her blouse–childish, really–and he replied flatly, “No nerd.”
From the beginning, he hadn’t even flinched, as if the injury wwon’t his
Cynthia couldn’t help but vel. If it were her, she would probably be crying by now,
“Bunk you,” she said sincerely, her tone ueady and heartfelt.
Zachary studied her with quiet interest, notining how serious and well–mannen she looked at this moment. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
When she tucked away her sharp tongue and burly defenses, she actually seemed to have a good heart.
Amused, he leaned back lightly and said with a hint of mischief, “I don’t accept verbal thanks. What are you planning to do to show your gratitude? Chitha komed
Wasn’t he supposed to say something like “it’s no
s nothing” or “Don’t mention? Why did he always got–ript? And what could she p
possibly do to thank someone like him? Otter herself?
“Tilcook for you. Don’t underestimate me –
– me – my cooking skills are amazing ”
Zachary’s grin deepened Thold you to that
Cyukia prope, Martled. Did he pist smile?
His smile was dardling, a stark contrast usual cold demeanos. It was warm, almost enchanting, making his already pestes teatures impossibly more attractive. For a mor found her stating, able to look away
*How mort bagri aur you planning to stare Zachary’s teasing voice mapped back to really
Cynthia’s cheeka flashed with entanament “I’ll leave now,” she stammeied, quicidy gathering the basin to pour out the water.
Tje huinedlidorle bathroom, dumped the water, and boltedout of the tom
Jesse eseted just as Cuthila was
raight red and he
a moment, she
buried. He paused, balled Had Zachary done something to her a
again!
But when he stepperiinide, wut he usually made him choke Zachary was lying on the bed willi his legs exposed, completely lost in thought.
