CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: DO YOU WANT TO?

At eleven o’clock, Sophia finished organizing her drafts.

She glanced at Zane, thinking it would be best to sleep quickly, otherwise, bumping into him might not end well. "I’m going to bed first."

But unexpectedly, he turned off the computer: "I’m done with my work too."

Usually, she never saw him rest this early.

Sophia went to the bathroom, lost in thought.

Is tonight the night? But she wasn’t ready yet...

Sure enough, they lay down on the bed together.

"Click!" The light went out.

Darkness enveloped them, and fear enveloped Sophia.

She lay on her side, at the edge of the bed, whereas Zane habitually slept in the middle.

She couldn’t sleep, sweating nervously, wanting to kick off the blanket, yet afraid to move.

Suddenly, she felt a warm sensation on her abdomen.

In an instant, her body was pulled back into a warm embrace.

She dared not move, fearing he might do something out of line, and also couldn’t bring herself to speak. Being so close now, something else was bound to happen.

He didn’t move either, afraid he might not be able to control himself, yet he couldn’t resist getting closer to her.

"You..." Her voice was tiny and tense.

Her hands unwittingly clenched into fists, her whole body trembling.

A single word expressed all her fear and helplessness.

Zane followed her tiny arm, finding her fist clenched tight with tension.

Gently rubbing it to warm and relax it.

"Don’t worry, I won’t touch you." His tone was extremely gentlemanly, yet somehow he had always been this polite.

Soon, Sophia let down her guard.

To be honest, from the time they met until now, it had actually only been a short month.

Although they occasionally discussed a few issues and had brief contact, they maintained a certain distance like strangers, sometimes even ignoring each other when they met.

——

The sleep was exceptionally restful, with no alarm clock, she woke up past ten.

Groggily opening her eyes, she found herself hugging a big heater.

Usually sleeping alone, she would hug the pillow or a stuffed toy beside her.

This time, she ended up...

Hugging him! And this posture was truly embarrassing!

Her hand rested on his chest, rising and falling with his breathing.

A delicate little face rested on his strong arm.

More ridiculous was her leg, draped over his abdomen and waist.

She didn’t dare move, completely shocked by her own actions!

She opened her eyes, but she didn’t know, her long eyelashes lightly brushed against his sensitive skin.

An abruptly quickened breath gently sprayed on his chest.

"Awake?" Zane’s cracked, hoarse voice broke the awkwardness.

No, wasn’t he awake the whole time?

"Mm." Sophia felt a wave of panic.

After sitting in silence for a long time, he spoke, and the words were entirely unexpected for her!

"Do you want to?" he asked.

The arm she was resting on suddenly bent, his hand encircling Sophia, placing it on her waist.

She wore the silk homewear that he had someone send over, the fabric particularly smooth and sleek, almost feeling bare.

When Zane’s large hand rested on her waist, she couldn’t help but shiver inside, feeling as though she was hit by an electric shock, unable to remain calm!

Do I want to? Want to do what, do something intimate so early in the morning?

"No... I don’t..." Early in the morning, she was flustered and utterly flustered by his sudden words.

Her whole body tensed, thinking about whether or not to get off him now.

"Then..." He swallowed, the sound of his Adam’s apple moving peculiarly loud.

Loud enough for Sophia to faintly hear.

"Shouldn’t you move your leg away?" he said.

Sophia heard this, and hurriedly turned herself over, burying her head deeply under the covers.

So, he was waiting for her to retract!

It seemed like Sophia was eager to get close in the first place!

He let out a slight sigh, cautiously lifting the blanket, still not forgetting to pull it over her, covering the empty space behind her.

Then she heard him walk out and the sound of water splashing in the bathroom.

Sophia had no idea what he was doing in there, almost half an hour passed before he came out of the bathroom.

——

He went downstairs first, Sophia slowly got up to wash.

When she went down to the living room, she heard voices chatting.

She looked closely, it was Zoe Walsh!

She thought she was mistaken until getting closer, realizing she wasn’t wrong, Zane was sitting on the sofa chatting with Zoe Walsh.

"Miss Walsh?"

She stood by the sofa.

Zane’s gaze shifted from Zoe to Sophia.

She wore loose-fitting sweatpants and a slim T-shirt, perfectly outlining her figure.

"Oh, Sophia!" Zoe hurriedly stood up, walked over to Sophia, and gave her a big hug.

"How are you here?" She hugged back, quickly letting go, both sharing a knowing look.

Zane slowly stood, "You should start calling her mom."

Sophia was stunned for a moment, looking at the two of them, they did look somewhat alike.

"Mom?"

"Yes!"

She awkwardly glanced at Zane, who suppressed a smile.

What a coincidence this was!

Zoe clasped Sophia’s hand, speaking meaningfully:

"I didn’t expect it to be you! My son doesn’t talk much, but he’s very considerate. He’s been like that since he was young, never needing us to worry. With you as a joymaker, he’ll surely like it!"

She suddenly praised him...

This moment felt like a blind date—

Sophia’s heart felt like it was suspended on a roller coaster, restless and exciting!

The three of them chatted for a long time.

They wanted her to stay for dinner, but she didn’t want to.

After seeing off Zoe.

Zane and Sophia sat together at the table next to the open kitchen, having breakfast.

"I heard the clothes are all picked by you?" Zane asked.

"Yes." She couldn’t meet his eyes, thinking of the scene from this morning, her face flushed red.

"I really like them."

Oh no, oh no, who can save her, how should she respond to this? What should she say?

"Is there anything left unprepared?" Zane sipped his milk, watching her.

Sophia pondered for a while, it seemed there was nothing left to prepare.

"It should be all set."

"Come find me upstairs when you’re done, I’ve got something for you." Zane said.

"Alright."

Sophia dawdled, afraid to be alone with him. By the time she went up, an hour had passed.

Back in the room, she was a bit dumbfounded.

Zane had already packed all their luggage, one suitcase each, from outerwear to shoes and socks, everything prepared.

"You..."

Sophia found it incredible, could this man be heaven-sent to save her?

"Check the list and see if anything is missing."

Zane handed a list to Sophia.

Sophia felt embarrassed looking at it, as it detailed everything clearly, down to sets of underwear.

Truly impeccable!