The next morning, Shu Hua woke up from the heat.
Behind her was a firm, scorching chest pressed tightly against her back. His body temperature seeped through the thin fabric of her sleepwear, warming her skin.
She was completely wrapped in Pei Yanzhou’s arms, like a small kitten held securely in his embrace.
She had actually… slept in his arms all night?
Shu Hua instantly sobered. She instinctively tried to move away, only to realize her entire body felt as though it had been taken apart and reassembled—aching and weak beyond belief.
The moment she moved, a dull soreness spread through her.
Fragments of last night’s chaotic and embarrassing scenes rushed back into her mind.
And his hoarse voice coaxing her at her ear—
“Cry louder. I like hearing it.”
What cold and abstinent king of hell? He was clearly…
Clearly an insatiable pervert!
She really had been in pain.
The more she thought about it, the redder her face became.
She secretly lifted her gaze to look at the man beside her.
His eyes were closed, breathing steady. In the morning light, his handsome features lost some of their usual sharpness, appearing unexpectedly peaceful.
Wasn’t he supposed to go to work today?
Holding her breath, Shu Hua carefully tried to pry away the large hand locked around her waist—the fingers were long and well-defined. Actually… quite good-looking.
She wanted to go to the bathroom to check herself. She was sure she must look a mess.
The moment she moved—
“Awake?”
The man’s voice came from above her head, rough and husky from sleep, carrying a lazy sensuality.
She froze in fright and immediately shut her eyes tightly, pretending to sleep. Her long lashes trembled uncontrollably from guilt.
Pei Yanzhou chuckled softly and reached out a finger to gently scrape the tip of her small nose.
“Still pretending?”
Caught.
Shu Hua had no choice but to open her eyes, crashing into his deep, smiling gaze. Embarrassment mixed with annoyance flickered across her expression, her glance carrying a natural hint of allure. She shot him a reproachful look.
“Since you’re awake, why aren’t you getting up? Don’t you have to go to the company today?”
Supporting his head with one hand, he turned slightly to look at her, his gaze lingering over her flushed little face.
“I’ll go later.”
“Hm?” She didn’t understand.
He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive ear.
“I was afraid a certain little crybaby would wake up and feel disappointed if she didn’t see me.”
Her heart trembled.
She hadn’t expected this seemingly cold man to be considerate enough to think about her subtle feelings after her “first time.”
Seeing him still there, that feeling of being cared for—of being placed in someone’s heart—quietly spread inside her, washing away some of her lingering grievance.
“W-who’s a crybaby…” she muttered, burying her face deeper into the pillow.
Watching her shy expression, the smile in his eyes deepened. “You didn’t cry last night?”
“You—”
He interrupted smoothly, “Getting up?”
“Yes.” Her voice was muffled. “But I don’t feel like I have any strength… How about you carry me to the bathroom?”
She looked up at him, her big eyes watery, testing him with a hint of coquettishness.
He arched a brow. “You’re quite good at ordering me around.”
That said, he was secretly quite pleased by her way of acting spoiled.
“Will you carry me or not?” She extended a slender finger and lightly poked his arm.
“Wait.”
He flipped out of bed smoothly.
Only then did Shu Hua clearly see that he was wearing nothing but a pair of gray lounge pants. His lean waist and sharply defined abs were completely unobstructed, crashing straight into her line of sight.
Her cheeks flushed hot, and she hurriedly looked away.
Pei Yanzhou casually grabbed a white T-shirt and pulled it over his head, just finishing adjusting the hem—
*Thud!*
A muffled sound rang out, accompanied by a small yelp.
Before he could react, the girl on the bed had already rolled off.
“Ow…” Shu Hua winced in pain—thankfully there was a carpet.
Pei Yanzhou’s heart tightened. He strode over in a few quick steps and crouched down anxiously. “Are you okay? Where did you hit?”
Covering her sore elbow, Shu Hua felt so embarrassed she wished the ground would swallow her whole.
“I-I’m fine… I just wanted to sit up and didn’t realize I rolled too far.”
Looking at her pitiful yet adorable state, he didn’t know whether to laugh or scold her. “You really are something—falling off the bed of all places.”
“Well what can I do? I already fell, and you’re still teasing me,” she complained aggrievedly, her tone unconsciously sweet and spoiled.
His heart softened instantly. Any teasing words dissolved. With a helpless sigh, he bent down and scooped her up in a bridal carry. “Alright, I won’t say anything.”
Carrying her steadily, he walked toward the bathroom.
After setting her down by the sink, he headed to the guest bathroom to shower.
Standing before the mirror in the master bathroom, Shu Hua took in the “disaster” on her body and sucked in a breath.
From collarbone to chest, there wasn’t a single untouched spot. She’d have to use concealer later while doing her makeup.
Resigned, she picked up a gray knit cardigan and slipped it on, intending to button it all the way up.
By then, Pei Yanzhou had already changed. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist, he adjusted a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his high, straight nose. Behind the lenses, his gaze was deep and unreadable.
Abstinent. Refined. Yet radiating an unmistakable air of control.
Shu Hua stared a little too long.
He already looked restrained enough—did he really need gold-rimmed glasses too? Who was he trying to tempt?
This man had such a contradictory charm. Wild beyond reason last night, and now impeccably dressed like an elite professional.
Pei Yanzhou walked behind her and naturally drew her into his arms.
Lowering his head, he saw she was wearing only a white camisole that outlined her curves, paired with tight jeans that wrapped snugly around her long, straight legs with just the right softness.
She looked slim, but felt soft everywhere she should be—every curve in the right place.
His Adam’s apple shifted slightly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and patiently tucked the extra fabric of her camisole into her jeans bit by bit.
“Going out?” His voice was low.
“Mm.” Shu Hua obediently let him fuss over her. “I have plans with Yuchu this afternoon. We’re going shopping.”
His gaze swept over her chest and neck—the marks he had left were even more obvious against the white camisole.
His eyes darkened subtly. “Planning to go out dressed like this?”
She pointed to the cardigan on the bed. “No, I’m wearing that too. It’s chilly outside. I’d get cold in just this.”
Understanding, he reached over and took the cardigan, helping her slip it on.
Having been pampered since childhood, Shu Hua accepted his service naturally.
“Button it up?” he asked.
“Of course.” She lifted her face. “How else am I supposed to see people?”
His long fingers fastened the bottom button and worked upward unhurriedly.
When he reached the top two, however, he paused.
“Can’t button them?” she asked curiously.
“I’ll do it later.”
Before she could respond, he suddenly lifted her by the hips in one swift motion.
She let out a startled cry and instinctively clamped her legs around his waist.
By the time she realized what was happening, she was straddling his firm thighs, sinking into the soft sofa at the foot of the bed.
This position…