CHAPTER 59: CHAPTER 59: ZANE THORNE, YOU SICK PERVERT!

Zane caught Natalie Vaughn’s small movements, the smile on his lips fading after seeing her pink tongue, his facial muscles tensing slightly.

His tongue pressed against his molars, his deep eyes narrowed slightly.

This little girl is really interesting.

Zane withdrew his hand, rubbed his fingers behind his back a few times, and didn’t respond to Natalie’s request.

Natalie furrowed her brows again, her eyes clearly showing confusion and curiosity.

She had such a beautiful pair of eyes, no matter what they held, they were extremely captivating.

But they were best suited to act obedient and innocent, using it to act spoiled. Even Zane felt a pang of sympathy when confronted with her enchanting doe eyes.

Natalie was clearly aware of her advantage, reaching out and tugging at the man’s shirt hem. The notable part was that she cleverly used only her index and thumb, even playfully wiggling them a bit.

Like a child, yet more like a girlfriend in the throes of young love.

"Thorne?"

Zane glanced down at her, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing, thinking Natalie was truly cheeky.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally raised his hand and lightly tapped the back of her head twice.

"Not tired? Quickly freshen up and go to sleep."

He was very tired, his head pounding, barely holding on, without the extra mind or energy to resist Natalie’s coquettish attacks.

Natalie wasn’t one to pester endlessly; she also realized Zane was more exhausted than she imagined and released her hold.

She didn’t know what happened in Altara, but tonight, for her sake, Zane had been busy for quite some time.

After all, she had been kidnapped for a bit and had a slight cold. Once the tension released, a flood of fatigue came crashing in.

"There’s also a bathroom downstairs."

Natalie paused.

No way there are men’s clothes here.

She lifted her eyelids to look at Zane, seeing him knowingly raise a brow and then gaze at her ankle.

"Can you make it upstairs on your own?"

"Of course."

She just had a scrape, not a broken leg.

Hearing her affirmative answer, the man nodded and then headed towards the bathroom.

Natalie never mentioned where the bathroom was, yet Zane headed there decisively, showing his observation skills were remarkable.

Perhaps he had already mapped out the downstairs layout upon arrival. Natalie chuckled softly, always noticing odd details and finding joy in them.

Natalie returned to her bedroom bathroom; she was too tired, so after filling the tub, she lay in the bathtub. The enveloping heat made her head feel woozy.

Lights danced before her eyes, and she seemed to be back in that dark, closed room, with Zane coming toward her against the light. He was so tall, so robust, creating a haven for her.

She never thought the classic hero-rescues-damsel scenario would happen to her.

Natalie raised a hand, stirring the water and bubbles, then watched them fall under the light.

Sparkling brilliantly.

Natalie smirked, sinking herself deeper into the water, nearly submerging her eyes and nose. She relished the water’s warmth, reminiscing about Zane’s reassuring embrace.

Since childhood, she was fiercely independent, wanting to control and resolve everything herself. She had that ability, never having lost a fight.

Yet the only two times she was on the back foot, Zane appeared to protect her.

Tsk, turns out being protected feels like this.

Not bad at all.

Perhaps it was this addictive reminiscence that made her oblivious to Zane knocking on the door for some time after finishing his shower.

The man stood at the door for quite a while, thinking of how Natalie’s closet was connected to her bedroom, and earlier he had walked into it, practically placing him inside her room.

So Zane pressed the door handle and easily heard the lock click open.

Natalie’s bedroom’s decor was rather simple, aside from the spacious bed central to the room, accommodating four sleepers, nothing much stood out.

It was clear she wasn’t someone who placed heavy emphasis on rituals, although her requirement for sleep quality was evidently high.

The room was colored in black, gray, and white; if not for the subtle feminine aroma, one might not discern if the owner was male or female.

Zane glanced around, taking a seat on the sofa at the foot of the bed, here laid a white carpet, appearing soft and plush.

Perhaps the only area besides the bed offering warmth.

Upon entering, Zane specifically checked the time, and now he’d been sitting for nearly twenty minutes, with even the most elaborate bathing routine, she should be done.

With that thought, Zane rose, walking to the bathroom door.

"Natalie."

She was injured and slightly sick, shouldn’t wash for too long.

Receiving no response, Zane called again.

This scene felt too familiar; it happened before at the club. Back then, Natalie accused him of being perverse, although he never entered.

Zane lifted his hand, massaging his aching temples.

"Speak up, or I’m coming in."

Standing by the door, not hearing running water meant Natalie was using the bathtub. If she fell asleep, she could drown.

Zane’s tongue nudged his cheek, finally pushing open the door.

Natalie indeed fell asleep.

Though she was smart, numbed consciousness led her to lean against the headrest, allowing her head to elevate without discomfort, at a water level safe from drowning.

Zane glanced quickly, ensuring Natalie’s safety before retracting his gaze. He grabbed a bath towel nearby, intending to lift her out.

Just then, Natalie opened her eyes.

She dreamt, and Zane was in it. She nestled into his embrace, greedily, brazenly, uninhibitedly inhaling his addictive scent.

Her nose twitched slightly—she truly seemed to smell Zane.

Still foggy, staring dumbly at the man’s muscular chest before her, her mind unable to differentiate between dream and reality.

She lifted her hand, instinctively reaching for the man’s chest.

Warm and a bit soft.

Natalie poked it, finally snapping awake at the fourth poke.

"..."

"Pervert!"

Natalie withdrew her hand abruptly; the swift motion caused water to ripple, revealing the whiteness beneath the foam to the man’s eyes.

Zane’s eyes darkened with red, he took a deep breath, looking away.

"I haven’t even addressed your hands on me, don’t move!"

"I’m bathing, and you just barged in?! Zane, you’re a dirty old man!"

Zane’s temple veins twitched, tossing the towel onto Natalie’s head.

"I called you, and you didn’t reply. I was worried you’d drown, so I came in."

The water had cooled significantly, and Natalie realized she had soaked for quite a while. Carelessness could indeed cost her life.

But...

Now completely bare, she couldn’t calm her emotions.

"This tub is custom; you may leave now!"

Zane had no intention to linger now that she was awake.

However, as he exited, he heard the heartless girl mumble.

Dirty old man...

Who is truly the pervert? Even when not fully conscious, she had thoughts of taking advantage.

The man snorted coldly.

"I saw nothing until you moved around; now, I’ve seen everything."

Natalie:...

Crash, bottles and jars thrown by Natalie scattered at Zane’s feet.

"You pervert!"

...