r18novel Chapter 307: This Is His Treasure
Chapter 307: This Is His Treasure
She looked startled yet forced herself to stay composed, adding a few layers of endearing confusion to her usual calm demeanor. Ian Rowe always found numerous charming and intriguing aspects in Maya Monroe.
There were always surprises to uncover in Maya Monroe.
"What’s wrong? Not used to living here?" he asked deliberately, leaning a bit closer to her.
Maya pressed tightly against the bedside table, having no more room to move: "You... there’s no space on your side either?"
Ian Rowe, unfazed, replied, "I sleep restlessly. I need to move inward a bit to feel secure."
Maya lifted her head and glanced over to his side, seeing there was still quite a bit of space: "You don’t need to move in so far, do you?"
"This way, I feel secure."
Maya pressed her lips tightly, having nothing to say this time. She had never seen Ian Rowe sleep restlessly before; how come the bed got smaller and he had so many new quirks? It proved that Ian Rowe, when being difficult, was even harder to deal with. She admitted to being chatty and often going off topic, but Ian Rowe always managed to stop her, leaving her with no rebuttal.
Setting her pillow straight, Maya lay down directly, not expecting Ian Rowe to be persistent this time: "You still haven’t told me, are you not accustomed to living here?"
Initially wanting to deny it, yet looking at the unfamiliar luxurious ceiling and feeling the slightly hard sensation of the bed beneath her, she found herself unable to speak.
Originally, Maya had an unrestrained nature, and given the peculiar nature of her assignments, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she felt at home everywhere. When had she started "recognizing a bed," considering the villa as her home...
Thinking about it carefully, there were occasional discomforts staying at hotels during filming recently, with feelings of unease surfacing occasionally. She never experienced such feelings before; she didn’t know when she started to long for a place...
Seeing a subtle glimmer in Maya’s eyes, her lips pressed tightly as if she was conflicted, Ian Rowe couldn’t help but ask: "What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?"
He reached out to feel her forehead, then breathed a sigh of relief: "No fever, you must be really tired today, rest early."
After tucking Maya in, Ian Rowe turned off the light and then lay down himself.
Maya turned her head slightly, and from Ian Rowe’s angle, he could only see her side profile and her graceful neck, unable to determine if she was asleep.
Ian Rowe still tilted slightly toward her: "Good night, I hope you have a good dream."
Maya shifted a bit, then turned over. She opened her eyes to see a chaotic and mottled darkness, then closed them again.
The sleep was anything but comforting, as Maya felt the indoor air-conditioning was a bit too cold, making her feel chilly. She moved closer, still trapped by the unsatisfactory bed, and after who knows how long, finally captured a patch of warmth, snuggling to it.
She dreamed she was in an icy, snowy world, a thousand miles sealed in ice, with only a blazing flame ahead. There was no time to consider who had placed the flame or how it ignited. She only knew she needed the warmth in front of her, a craving need.
Closer, get even closer...
Ian Rowe quickly noticed something was wrong with Maya; she held his waist tightly, murmuring softly about the cold.
Dazed for a second by her soft voice, Ian Rowe remembered something more important. He first turned off the air-conditioner, then got a thermometer to check her temperature.
Luckily, the guest room had a basic medical kit, making it easy to find.
Maya didn’t have a fever; perhaps she just felt cold.
Once Ian Rowe got back to bed, he felt her snuggle closer again. He had never seen her so clingy.
Ian Rowe didn’t push her away, just lowered his eyes to watch her for a moment, then extended an arm to embrace her.
Feeling the soft fragrance in his arms, he found his heartbeat unusually fast.
"It would be great if you could always cling to me like this, of course without being sick..."
Maya finally felt warm all over; her mind hazy, unable to hear clearly, she only murmured a vague agreement.
Ian Rowe chuckled softly, and seeing her cheeks regain their rosy color, finally felt at ease. He tightened his arm around her, carefully placing a gentle kiss in her hair.
She was his treasure.
*
Maya always woke up relatively late, but this time her consciousness overcame her physiological dependency. She was really worried about Monica Jacob’s condition.
Forcing her eyelids open, the first thing that met her eyes was a broad chest. His shirt was loosely buttoned, revealing faint muscular contours.
Maya froze, and looking further up, she saw Ian Rowe’s stern face. His eyes were closed, his thick eyelashes casting shadows over his eyelids, looking deeply asleep.
How did she end up in Ian Rowe’s arms after just sleeping?
Maya swallowed, ready to get up, but found an arm draped over her waist, possessive and domineering.
What’s going on...
Maya cautiously moved Ian Rowe’s arm but applied more force because she found it wasn’t easy to do so; Ian Rowe was quite strong.
"You’re awake?" Ian Rowe had opened his eyes at some point; his voice was a bit hoarse but still alluring.
Maya, sharp-eyed, noticed the dark circles under his eyes, previously hidden when sleeping, now unmistakable when he opened his eyes.
"You didn’t sleep well?"
"Yeah, didn’t sleep well." His eyes deepened, but a slight smile involuntarily appeared at the corners of his lips.
He perceptively caught something: Maya’s attitude toward him seemed no longer as resistant and awkward, becoming much more natural.
This was a great change.
Perhaps she didn’t notice it, but he couldn’t help praising that habit is a wonderful thing. Because of habit, she no longer resisted him.
Ian Rowe didn’t want to make things difficult for Maya. He withdrew his arm and swiftly got up: "Mom is still in a coma, but don’t worry, the doctor said she could wake up by afternoon. Do you want to go check on her?"
Maya hurriedly got out of bed: "I have to go!"
When they reached Monica Jacobs’ room, they found Jasper Monroe keeping vigil by her side.
Seeing them approach, Jasper Monroe stood up: "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Very well." Maya walked towards the bed: "How’s Mom’s condition?"
"She’s much better, don’t worry," Jasper Monroe said, then sighed, unsure whether with regret or disappointment: "After all this time, Kiki hasn’t called once, and when we try to reach her, the call can’t go through. She really intends to cut ties with our family..."
Maya lowered her eyes, comforting him: "Dad, don’t hurt your health from being sad."
She walked up to the bed again.