?Chapter 667:

    Cole swallowed hard, trying to keep his expression neutral as he reached the door. Without a word, he handed her the clothes.

    Elliana took them with a small nod and disappeared behind the door again, closing it gently.

    He stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, his breath uneven. Heat crept under his skin. His thoughts raced,pletely unsettled by the softness of her voice, the closeness, and the thought of her in his clothes. He turned away, trying to gather himself. But it was no use—he waspletely, helplessly affected.

    Cole’s mind raced. Elliana moved around him with such casual ease. Did this newfoundfort mean she was ready to take their rtionship to the next level? In the past, she had always stressed the importance of not rushing things, so he had never dared to push boundaries. Even though they shared the same bed every night, exchanging asional kisses and embraces, they had never made love.

    Could tonight be different?

    Cole found himself consumed by this possibility, his mind spinning until he appeared almost dazed.

    Just as he lost himself in these thoughts, the bathroom door suddenly cracked open. He was about to ask Elliana if she needed anything when something dark flew out and struck him square in the face. His reflexes kicked in, and he caught it. It was a piece of fabric.

    Looking down, he realized it was the underwear he had just handed to Elliana moments before. She wasn’t going to wear it?

    As he stood there, baffled, her voice floated out from behind the bathroom door, dry and casual. “Your underwear’s too big. I’d swim in those things. Take it back.”

    The door mmed shut again before he could utter a word.

    Cole remained frozen in ce, clutching his underwear while staring at the closed door, his bewilderment deepening. If she had rejected his underwear, then she must be…

    The mental image this conjured made his heart pound with dangerous intensity. Fearing potential embarrassment, he quickly poured himself a generous ss of water and drained itpletely.

    As he set the empty ss down, the bathroom door opened, and Elliana emerged gracefully. She had donned his ck shirt and walked barefoot across the carpet, casually toweling her damp hair.

    Her petite frame made the shirt appear oversized, yet her height prevented it from serving as proper nightwear, barely grazing her hips. Her long, elegant legs remainedpletely exposed, leaving him feeling lightheaded.

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    Cole’s thoughts had wandered into several inappropriate territories, and he struggled to resist stealing nces. When Elliana stepped out of the bathroom, his gaze immediately dropped to the shirt’s hem, wondering whether she had truly abandoned all undergarments.

    Elliana’s movements appeared effortlessly casual as she walked forward, continuing to dry her hair, but she remained acutely aware of Cole’s every reaction through her peripheral vision. As she passed by him, she shot him a withering re and muttered sharply, “You absolute horn dog!”

    After delivering her rebuke, she continued her path and finally settled onto the sofa.

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