?Chapter 1085:


    She froze and turned her head, only toe face-to-face with Ellis’s handsome features.


    In that instant, a tidal wave of memories from the night before came crashing back.


    “Did you sleep well?” Ellis asked, the rity in her gaze tugging at his heart.


    Freya lowered her eyes quickly, lips pressing together. “Yeah.”


    “Were you satisfied?”


    “What?”


    “How did it feelst night?”


    She didn’t reply.


    “Not satisfied?”


    “You got it wrong.”


    “So… you were satisfied?”


    Ellis let out a low chuckle, the kind that warmed the air, and gave her cheek a light, yful pinch. “Well, well… you really are smart, aren’t you?”


    Freya’s brows pulled together, the confusion in her eyes only deepening. What was he getting at?


    “Not saying you’re satisfied, not saying you’re not—sounds like you’re angling for a second round,” Ellis said with mock innocence.


    Freya snapped back without missing a beat. “No, I’m not.”


    “Doesn’t matter either way. You’re not getting another round out of me now.” Ellis could see her flustered state from a mile off, so he waved away her early-morning awkwardness with effortless charm. “Come on, get yourself cleaned up ande downstairs when you’re done.”


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    “Okay.”


    “I’m going to wash up.” And off Freya went, obediently heading out like she couldn’t get away fast enough.


    Ellis watched her scurry off, then drew in a quiet breath, collecting himself before climbing out of bed.


    That wasn’t just him trying to smooth over her embarrassment. He was well aware of how vtile his mornings could be. Last night, he’d kept himself in check so she wouldn’t bepletely wiped out. But this morning, that leash was slipping.


    Once he’d calmed down enough, he slipped into his slippers and made his way into the bathroom.


    Freya caught a glimpse of him in the mirror and instantly felt a prickle of awkwardness rise in her chest.


    “Freya,” Ellis said, casually squeezing toothpaste onto his brush as he tossed out something with far more weight.


    Freya, mid-brush, gave a muffled, “Hmm?”


    “When are youing to my base for training?”


    Her whole brain stalled. Training? Why?


    “Your strength has dissolved.” Ellis dropped the yful tone altogether—now he sounded exactly like the no-nonsense captain she remembered. “If I’m going to enjoy myself properly in the future, you better get some real training in.”


    “Not going,” Freya muttered through a mouth full of foam.


    She got the not-so-hidden implication behind “enjoy myself properly.” Still, not going.


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