Brody''s obvious attempt to change the subject was both abrupt and clumsy.


    If the fire had truly been an unambiguous ident, he would have just told her the truth directly. Instead, his roundabout assurance made him seem evasive, as though he was deliberately hiding something, hoping she wouldn''t notice.


    Anneliese continued chatting for a few more minutes before gloomily ending the call.


    Standing on the dimly lit street, she was overwhelmed by a wave of dizziness. She leaned against a tree to steady herself, her breathing fast and shallow.


    The branches above swayed in the wind, casting eerie shadows across the pavement. A sudden sense of being watched prickled her skin, sending a chill sliding down her spine. She whipped around in panic, heart hammering in her chest.


    But the sidewalk was empty. Only two figures appeared in the distance. Judging by their pace and posture, they were nothing more than random pedestrians passing


    by.


    However, she couldn''t calm down. Quickening her pace, she pulled out her phone to hail a cab. It didn''t take long for the ride-hailing app to show that a driver had epted her request.


    Then she reached into her bag for the pepper spray. Wrapping her fingers around the small canister in her hands made her feel just a little safer.


    At that moment, she noticed a shadow approaching from behind. She immediately lengthened her strides, but the shadow gained on her with rming speed.


    A hand shot out, reaching for her.


    The moment she felt something touching her shoulder, she screamed in panic and wildly sprayed the pepper spray behind her.


    Strong arms locked around her waist despite her resistance. She struggled frantically, thrashing around in fear when a low, familiar voice entered her ears.


    "Shh! It''s me!"


    She froze, then slowly turned around.


    It really was Jonathan.


    He was looking a little worse for wear. In holding back to avoid hurting her, he had left himself exposed, which meant he couldn''t defend himself against her assault.


    More than half his face was now covered in the harsh, stinging spray. His right eye was so swollen he could barely even open it.


    "Did it get into your eyes?" Flustered and angry at herself, she quickly grabbed a tissue and gestured for him to lower his head.


    "What were you thinking? Why did you sneak up on me like that? Couldn''t you have said something first?"


    He gave a helplessugh. "I didn''t think you''d react so strongly. Were you trying to murder your own husband?"


    Eyes closed, he obediently allowed her to hold his chin with one hand and wipe his face with the other.


    Just then, Zion brought the car over. Seeing what had happened, he quickly rushed over with a bottle of water.


    Anneliese deftly cleaned Jonathan''s face with some tissues and water until he could finally open his eyes again. He blinked slightly, then took her hand and led her into the car.


    Zion tactfully raised the divider.


    "Does it still hurt?" Anneliese leaned over to check on Jonathan''s eye.


    An arm looped around her waist. Jonathan lifted her lightly, rearranging her position so that she straddled hisp.


    His shirt cor was open; his white shirt was stained with residue from the pepper spray. His temple and forehead were damp. Even his, usuallycold dark eyes were reddened, the corners flushed, giving him a vulnerable charm.


    On anyone else, this appearance might have seemed weak and


    pathetic. But with his striking feature, illuminated by the flickering neon lights outside the window he exuded a fragile allure that he ry possessed instead.


    Looking at him sent a sudden rush of heat to her cheeks, making her pulse race uncontrobly.


    He leaned back into his seat, his voice tinged withint. "My eyes still hurt."


    Guilt instantly flooded her. Leaning closer, she cupped his face.


    "Should I blow on them for you?"


    She gently blew on his eyes.


    "Hiss..." He gasped in pain, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. His eyes reddened further.


    She pressed her lips together,


    annoyed at herself. When heined that his eyes hurt, she had instinctively blown on them.


    Though she was trying to help, she had forgotten injury wasnt cut blowing on his eyes only worsened the irritation.


    He grabbed her chin. "Was that on purpose?"


    "No, it really wasn''t!" She shook her head frantically.


    He raised an eyebrow. "Call me Hubby, and I''ll believe you."


    Sliding her arms around his neck, she whispered into his ear. "I''m sorry, Hubby."


    Her voice was soft and yful, utterly enchanting.


    It had been so long since they were together...


    His breath hitched, desire flooding through his body.


    His hand mped down on her waist, and suddenly, the world seemed to spin around her.


    When she came back to her senses, she found herself lying across the rear seat. His body pressed down on her as he kissed her fiercely.


    His breathing became ragged. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other reached into her shirt. He massaged her back with heated intensity, almost as though he was trying to press her into his chest.


    The kiss was intense, fueled by pure passion.


    His advances grew increasingly heated. Swept away by her own rising desire, she responded with the same urgency-until the sharp click of a belt buckle snapped her to her senses.