Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3459

With that, the young woman turned gracefully and walked away, her steps perfectly measured.

Carson looked down at Marina, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "No wonder you're always getting played. When it comes to being calculating, you're miles behind her."

Marina obviously knew he was talking about her. She shot him a glare, dropped his arm, and turned to walk away.

Carson let out a soft sigh and followed her down the hall.

Rhiannon tried to send Marina home to rest, but she refused. Carson insisted on staying as well, so the two of them kept vigil until deep into the night, only leaving when Rhiannon aggressively shooed them out of the hospital.

*

Back at The Riverside Apartments, Marina felt a heavy weight in her chest as she remembered the decision she had made while boarding her flight in H City.

The room felt stifling. She slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the crisp, freezing air of the late autumn morning.

A shadow approached from behind, and the man stopped beside her. Without looking up, Marina said, "You should go get some rest. I just want to be alone for a bit."

"Marina," his deep voice called out.

"Yeah?" She turned to look at him.

Suddenly, Carson reached out and wrapped an arm around her. Just as she instinctively moved to resist, his large hand pressed against her slender shoulder, pulling her firmly into his chest.

"I was out of line the other night. Stop being mad at me."

Perhaps she was just entirely exhausted, but Marina didn't fight him. She rested quietly against his chest. His shoulders were broad, making her want to lean on him just for a little while.

Carson gently rubbed her back, his tone soothing. "Don't worry. I will never marry Phoebe."

Staring at the glittering city lights, Marina practically let out a bitter laugh. "Who said I was worried?"

Carson looked down at her profile. "You weren't? Then why did you rush over to mark your territory the second you saw me talking to her?"

Marina bit her lip. "Then what do you want?"

He stared at her intently. "Let me take a bite out of you. We'll call it even, and I'll drop the whole thing."

She was completely against the idea, but then she remembered how he had saved her father today and stayed at the hospital until now. She owed him big time.

Fine, let him bite. The worst that could happen was she'd need a rabies shot tomorrow!

She squeezed her eyes shut, leaned her shoulder forward slightly, and braced herself. "Do it."

With one arm still wrapped securely around her waist, the man watched her long lashes tremble. His eyes were dark and predatory, as bottomless as the night sky. His gaze trailed from her fluttering lashes down to her lips as he slowly lowered his head.

"Are you going to do it or no—mmph."

The moment she parted her lips to speak, he swallowed her words, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.