?Chapter 188:


    That jawline, though—it was almost too defined. Like something off a movie poster. His arms held her like she weighed nothing, muscles flexing with each stride as he walked, his legs easily outpacing the length of her own. The rise and fall of his chest against her side felt steady, powerful, grounding in a way that made no sense. Everything about him gave off the kind of presence that demanded attention, the kind that made a person feel protected even when they didn’t want to admit it.


    A thought crept into her mind—ridiculous, maybe, but strangely fitting. He reminded her of the fierce warriors from those fantasy novels she devoured as a kid. The kind who never lost battles, who always arrived just in time, who stood tall above the fray while chaos burned around them. And yet, this same man hade up five floors for her. All because someone asked. In return, she had rewarded him by tearing into his wrist like a rabid animal.


    The memory made her stomach turn, and the faint metallic tang still lingering in her mouth wasn’t helping. Instinctively, she brought her fingers to her lips. Red stained the tips. Seeing the smear of blood sent a jolt through her. What was she even thinking when she bit him like that? Why had she reacted like a vampire fresh off a horror flick? Her thoughts spiraled the longer she stared. That rusty vor wouldn’t leave her tongue, and the wind off the sea only made things worse. The salt in the air curled through her nose, mixing with the taste of blood, sending her stomach into revolt. A gag slipped out before she could stop it.


    “Ugh—” Hailee mped a hand over her mouth, horrified at the idea of throwing up all over the man who’d just saved her. Red flushed across her face, more from embarrassment than anything. Noticing her shift, Merlin cast a nce down, his brow arching.


    Finally, Hailee got a clear look at his face. And the view stunned her. He wasn’t just attractive—he was distractingly handsome. The kind of handsome that didn’t feel real, like something airbrushed onto aic book page and brought to life.


    While she was still reeling, Merlin mistook her silence and the flush in her cheeks for something else entirely—repulsion. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Wow. Didn’t think being carried by a man would turn you into a blushing mess,” he said, his voice dripping with yful sarcasm.


    The moment Merlin finished speaking, a brighter flush crept up Hailee’s cheeks. She had just been quietly fantasizing about him, imagining him as some fearless warrior, only to be blindsided by his sharp tongue. If not for the fact that he had rescued her, she might have sunk her teeth into his arm all over again. His name finally clicked in her memory—Merlin kely. That was how he had introduced himself.


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    “Could you, um, let me down, Mr. kely?” Hailee murmured, her cheeks burning.


    With a sidelong nce at Manley and An, who were loitering near the cabin door like curious spectators, Merlin gently lowered her.


    Even though her fear had subsided, her body hadn’t caught up. Her legs buckled the moment they met the floor, and the salty wind did her no favors as she tilted dangerously.


    Merlin didn’t hesitate—his hand darted out to catch her around the waist. The contact surprised him. Her waist felt delicate, almost silken, and it startled him how pleasant the touch was.


    His touch only deepened Hailee’s embarrassment. She immediately pulled away, summoning all her willpower to stand on her own. Once steady, she nced up, mortified. “Thank you for helping me, Mr. kely,” she murmured, nearly under her breath.


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