She felt the tension on his shoulder as she caressed it. “Is this about those women you met that you don't want to commit?” she asked and tried to make out of his face that was hidden in the dark. “Did someone fool you? Did you love her, but it turned out she was only after your money?”
“Me?” he said and turned to her. There was a slight glare in his eyes. “I am not that stupid. I need to be more cautious. They can’t fool me.”
“That’s good to hear,” she said and took a deep breath. “I can’t blame you. There are many deceivers in this world.”
It seemed like he was not fond of their topic because his muscles were still tense. She pressed his shoulder, and she heard him groan.
“Are you hurt somewhere?” she asked, worried.
“No. It actually feels good. Keep doing it.”
She focused her attention on the massage. The bigger bruises on his body were clearly visible. But he remained manly in her eyes.
It was scary to think that he almost died a while ago. That just like her parents, he could have become a cold body under her watch. But he was alive. She saved him.
“I guess that is enough,” Richard said that made her flinch. She did not realize her hands had reached his waist. That area was dangerous already. He rolled to face her. “You can retire now. I’ll apply the oil myself. I can take it from here.”
Esmeralda blinked a couple of times. He was laid in front of her like a buffet. Temptation! He was a big temptation. “Ahhh… Are you sure you’re not in pain anymore? Perhaps you still need something.”
“I am fine. I think I can sleep well tonight, and the pain will disappear. Thank you and good night," Richard said and planted a kiss at the back of her hand.
Esmeralda jumped at the warmth of his lips against her hand. Tiny bolts of electricity crept through her veins. Aiden used to do that to her, but there was nothing special about it. No electricity. No sensation.
“A-all right. Good night,” she uttered and left.
Her breathing became normal when she was finally out of his room. She was not attracted to him. She was going to marry a man who was as handsome as him. She should feel more attraction toward Richard.
“It must be the effect of jumping into the river. Water must have gotten into my head,” Esmeralda murmured as she lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She was hoping to wake up in the morning with her sanity back.
ESMERALDA tossed and turned on her bed. It was already two-thirty in the morning. The rain became light, but the gustiness of the wind was still strong, as if acquiring momentum for another intense rainfall. She wrapped her sweater tighter around her body as the temperature dropped.
Her body was warm, but she felt cold from deep inside her. Not even a thicker clothing or fire could do something about it. Only one person could eliminate that coldness she felt. The stranger who also set her heart on fire whenever she was close to him—Richard.
The thought of him under her roof and almost naked kept her up. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was not. She was paying attention to his rustling. Despite her eyes closed, she could still see his delectable body, she could smell him, and she could feel his hard muscles against her palms—even the touch of his lips against the back of her hand.
Richard, what have you done to me? What spell did you cast on me? Have mercy on me! Let me sleep!
But no matter what she did, she could not just seem to take him off her mind. What is this happening to me? I am not thirsty for a man whose panties dropped every time I see someone handsome with a beautiful body. And give up my dignity just like that. I am not that kind of woman. I know how to control myself. Besides, I'm already engaged, even though it was only fake. I can’t cheat on Aiden.
After two hours, she got up. She left Cynthia Lyn, who was still snoring and lost in her beautiful dream.
Esmeralda went down and checked on the evacuees in her home. There were four rooms in her house. The living room upstairs was as spacious as the living room below, which her neighbors also occupied. They were all sleeping soundly. No one woke up or flinched when she passed by.
She went to the kitchen and brewed some tea. Maybe that could shake Richard off from her system. If she could not take him off her mind, she might end up insane. What should she do to repel him?
“Esmeralda?” Richard’s voice interrupted.