CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: OFFERING HERSELF (3)

Before her flirtatious wink could land, a large towel was thrown over her, covering Vera Wave’s small head. Kris Cooper reached out, tightened the bathrobe she had deliberately loosened, then put his arm around her and walked her to the restroom door.

"Go on in; I’ve just finished showering," he said, turning on the shower and testing the water temperature with his hand. "It’s still hot, so you can shower right away. There are towels on the rack, and bathing supplies are in the cupboard."

Then, he turned to leave.

Shouldn’t the usual script involve him pouncing on her, giving her the chance to negotiate?

The turn of events completely caught Vera off guard. Seeing the man about to leave, she grew anxious.

"Sir!"

Kris Cooper stopped and turned to face her, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Is there anything else?"

"I..." Vera nervously clutched her robe. "I..."

"What do you want to say?"

"I... I mean... um... do you have conditioner?"

She felt like slapping herself!

Kris Cooper walked back to her, opened a cabinet, took out a small, round bottle, and handed it to her. "Will this do?"

"Thank you."

Vera took the conditioner bottle and thanked him awkwardly.

Noticing her nervousness, Kris Cooper gently patted her damp head. "Lock the door properly, alright? That way, I won’t be able to come in!"

With that, he turned, exited the restroom, and pulled the door closed behind him with a smile.

But... she... she didn’t want him to leave...

Clutching the small bottle, Vera wanted to bang her head against it in sheer frustration.

You’re so stupid! she berated herself. Why didn’t you just rush over and hug him... or pretend to fall?

Right, pretend to fall?!

With that thought, her spirits lifted.

Tossing the towel from her head, she untied her bathrobe sash, gritted her teeth, and threw the robe aside. She glanced at the underwear she was still wearing; she couldn’t quite summon the courage to remove it.

Don’t the books say that wearing a little something is even more seductive than being completely naked?

Turning on the shower, Vera let out a scream.

"Sir... Help... Help me..."

Kris Cooper was by the wardrobe choosing clothes for her when he heard her scream. In a flash, he shot out of the bedroom, sprinted to the restroom, and kicked the door open.

Inside, the young woman was curled up on the floor, looking up at him with a pitiful expression.

Without a second thought, he rushed in and gripped her shoulders.

"What happened?"

"I slipped... and f-fell!"

Kris Cooper frowned. He grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her, and then lifted her into his arms. He strode out of the bathroom, back into the bedroom, and immediately placed her on the bed, pulling the blanket over her and tucking her in tightly.

"Does anywhere hurt?"

Vera lowered her head. "My leg!"

"Which one?"

"The left one!" She extended her right foot, the one closer to him. "No... the right one."

Kris Cooper took her wet foot in his hands and examined it carefully. Her small foot felt smooth and looked fair, with neatly trimmed toenails. There was no sign of injury at all.

"Where does it hurt?"

He gently touched her ankle, his brow furrowed with concern.

Vera was preoccupied with planning her next move, her heart pounding. Consequently, when she heard his question, she didn’t quite register what he was saying and naturally didn’t respond.

"Vera?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, snapping back to the present. "My leg."

Kris Cooper lifted her calf.

"No, not there. It’s..." Vera gritted her teeth and extended her entire leg—which she’d kept hidden under the blanket until now—towards him. "My thigh!"