The Heir's Secret Bride

28

Byron gripped her wrist, his expression growing even colder. "What do you think you're doing?"

Lift your shirt; I want to check your wound," Maeve answered.

Maeve felt like everything was swaying, and after fumbling for awhile, she still couldn't manage to lift his shirt. Frustrated, she leaned in closer to get a better look.

Her warm, alcohol-tinged breath brushed across Byron's chest. When he looked down, he saw her slightly parted, rosy lips nearly touching his skin.

His throat tightened, and his gaze darkened instantly.

Realizing the situation, he forcefully pushed her away, his voice sharp and cutting. "What kind of game are you playing

now? now?"

Already unsteady, Maeve stumbled backward, heading straight for the liquor cabinet.

Byron's expression shifted slightly. Before she could crash into the cabinet, he reached out and pulled her back, wrapping his arm around her.

Her flushed cheek inadvertently brushed against the side of his neck, the cool touch making her close her eyes in contentment, unwilling to move.

So comfy," she muttered.

Byron was so infuriated he almost laughed out loud, thinking. Is this woman using her drunken state as an excuse to throw herself at me? First tugging at my clothes, now.deliberately leaning into me-how thick-skinned can she be?' His mood took a serious nosedive, especially when he saw her dress, now stained from the mess earlier, clinging to her as she leaned against him.

He was tempted to toss her out and let her fend for herself.

But just as that thought crossed his mind, he remembered how, even in her drunken state, her first concern was checking op his injury.

His brows furrowed deeper, but in the end, he didn't have the heart to throw her out.

"Stay right here and don't move," he warned before heading into the bathroom.

Thankfully, Maeve's drunken antics didn't last long. Once she quieted down, she collapsed over the bar and seemed to fall asleep.

After his shower, Byron came out, grabbed her, and dragged her to the bathroom. He tossed her a set of his unused shirt and

pants

"Hurry up and wash. Don't waste my time. With a scowl, he walked out and shut the door behind him.

The abrupt movement startled Maeve awake. Her head was still spinning, her brows tightly furrowed, and all she wanted was to pass out in bed.

But remembering the annoyed look on Byron's face, she figured it was best not to give him more trouble.

She thought, It's just a shower. I can handle this. I've got this!

In the living room, Byron sat on the sofa, going through company emails on his tablet.

m

But his attention kept thrifting toward the bathroom.

He thought. "What's taking her so long? Is she swimming in there?

Even though his eyes were on the tablet, he couldn't focus on a single word. Irritation tugged at his brows

Finally, he stood up and walked over to the bathroom door, knocking "Macve, are you done yet!"

No response.

Growing impatient, he knocked again, more forcefully this time

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I'm done," came her drowsy voice from inside.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and Maeve shuffled out, her eyes heavy with sleep.

She was wearing his black shirt, which hung loosely down to her thighs.

slender legs were left bare, her knees faintly tinged with pink, and her toes had a soft glow under the light. It was unexpectedly captivating.

Her long, sle

Her face, flashed from the warm steam of the bathroom, was framed by tousled hair, giving her an unexpectedly delicate and alluring look. For a brief moment, Byron's dark eyes froze.

He hadn't realized his shirt was that sheer, and now he could clearly see she wasn't wearing anything underneath.

He thought, And the pants I have

I have given you, did you just eat them?

on properly before coming out?" Byron's brows furrowed even deeper, his tone laced with irritation.

"Can't you put your clothes on

"Your pants don't fit me, they're way too big" Maeve yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Besides, it's not like I'm not wearing anything"

slips pressed into a thin line as he stared at her for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, a low, ambiguous chuckle escaped him.

Byron's lips "Marve, are

are you doing this on purpose?"

"What?" "Maeve blinked in in confusion.

Byron stepped into the bathroom, closing the distance and backing her against the wall, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing. "A woman shows up in front of a man wearing nothing but a shirt, and you expect me to believe you don't know what that implies?" Marve's back pressed against the warm, damp tiles as the dizziness in her head worsened. "I really don't get what you're talking about." Aren't

n't these your clothes that you gave me?" she asked, feeling a bit wronged. She thought, 'Am I in trouble for simply wearing them?

Seeing her bewildered expression, Byron's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer, his breath grazing her lips. "Yeah, but I didn't tell you to wear them Jike this to seduce me." Seduce? What nonsense is that? Maeve's mind spun as she shook her head vigorously.

Her blurry vision was filled with the image of his strikingly handsome face drawing closer, making her head swim even

more from the warm, steamy air

"Don't-don't come so close to me!" she stammered.

But the dizziness overwhelmed her, and before she knew it, she was falling straight into Byron's arms.

When he looked down, he saw Maeve with her eyes tightly shut, leaning limply against his shoulder, as if she had fallen adeep

Byron was left speechless.

He had never been so tempted to strangle someone.

He intended to teach her a lesson, yet somehow ended up being the one outplayed.

With a face as dark as a storm cloud, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom, dropping her unceremoniously onto the bed Despite the rough handling, she didn't wake up-she just rolled over and continued sleeping soundly.

The guest room in this apartment was purely for show; only the master bedroom had a bed.

After all the troubles she caused,

The night

passed

Byron couldn't be bothered to think about why he didn't just let her sleep the couch. He told himself it was just charity.

without incident.

The next morning. Maeve curled up under the blanket, not wanting to remember anything that had happened the night before. can't I be

She Why cant be one of those people who black out when they drink?

She She

She She

didn't want to recall any of the embarrassing things she might have done to Byron.

She glanced

Throwing up on him, tugging at his clothes-how has he not kicked me out on the spot? not seeing Byron anywhere, let out a sigh of relief.

around and,

Getting up, she realized that the shirt she was wearing had ridden up to her stomach during the night.

She had no idea how she'd managed to sleep like that

And worst of all, she wasn't wearing anything underneath. She thought. What was I even thinking when I showered last night?

Bankfully, Byron hadn't slept in the same bed as her; otherwise, she'd never be able to live this down.

furiously. Maeve tugged the shirt down to cover herself, then tipgoed out of the bedroom, carefully closing the door behind her. What are you..

sneaking around for?" Byron's cold voice suddenly rang out from behind her.

Startled, Marve spun around to see him standing there, looking sharp in a tailored suit. Her face instantly heated up. "I-I thought you were still asleep and didn't want to wake you." She pressed herself against the door, trying to hide the awkwardness of her situation.

Byron

14:42 14:42

couldn't be bothered to expose her lame excuse and said flatly, "Your clothes are drying on the balcony. Go get them yourself"

apter 28 Oct 14 G B

Maeve's eyes widened in surprise. "You even washed my clothes

Catching her shocked expression, Byron scoffed. "And whose fat do you think that is?"

Marve instantly wilted, her face full of remorse. Im really sorry I shouldn't have overestimated my alcohol tolerance. I caused you so much trouble by getting drunk and throwing up on you." As he saw her apologize so sincerely, Byron's expression softened slightly. There's a new toothbrush and towel in the bathroom. Go freshen up Thank you."

Maeve hurried to the balcony to collect her clothes, her heart racing when she saw her undergarments hanging there.

Even if he used the washing machine, he definitely had to handle them while hanging them up.

She thought. How embarrassing