He Never Noticed Me Until I Loved Someone Else novel Chapter 12

Jarrod strode over and pressed a hand to her forehead—she was burning up!

It looked like being out in the pouring rain had given her a fever.

He swore under his breath and hoisted Stella out of the water.

She was entirely bare, and the skin beneath his palms was incredibly soft and smooth. Jarrod took a deep breath, grabbed a bath towel to wrap her up, and carried her into the bedroom.

He tossed her onto the bed, pulled the covers over her, and went to find the first-aid kit.

He had zero experience taking care of sick people, and a feverish, intoxicated Stella was far less obedient than usual. She kept fussing and throwing a tantrum every few minutes.

Just before his patience completely snapped, Jarrod finally managed to take her temperature and force some medicine down her throat.

After all that wrestling, his fresh loungewear was ruined again. He figured he needed to change into a third outfit.

But Stella grabbed the edge of his shirt in a death grip, mumbling, "Don't go... don't leave me... Lolo..."

Jar-Jar?

What kind of bizarre nickname was that?

When she had thrown herself into his arms by the hedges earlier, she had mumbled something similar.

Watching her squeeze her eyes shut, Jarrod pinched her chin, forcing her to open her eyes and look at him.

"What did you just call me?" he demanded.

Stella was still entirely out of it, her gaze unfocused and hazy.

But she could sense the man's displeasure.

Logan had always hated it when she used his childhood nickname. He thought it was childish. Even though he was less than a year older than her, he always tried to act overly mature around her.

So, she dragged out the syllables, her voice sweet and breathy, "Lo... gan..."

The way her voice trailed off made the syllables blend together affectionately. To Jarrod, the breathless tease almost sounded like a variation of his own name, as if she were mocking him for being hung up on a silly nickname.

"Drinking this much—who are you crying over?" Jarrod asked, his fingers still gripping her jaw.

"You jerk!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Stella's eyes flared red and she screamed at him.

Then, Jarrod felt her slip from his grasp. Slender arms threw themselves around his neck, and soft lips crashed against his!

Stella was kissing him.

The night they got their marriage license, Stella had moved into Skyview Lofts.

She had sat on the bed in a thin silk nightgown, her spine ramrod straight, trying to look perfectly sweet and obedient, though he could see the nervous terror hiding in her eyes.

Jarrod had walked over to the bed and pulled her into his arms. She hadn't fought him.

Watching her eyelashes flutter and looking at her soft pink lips, he had leaned in to kiss her.

But right before their lips met, Stella had turned her head away, leaving him kissing empty air.

She had trembled slightly, tears and inner conflict welling up in her eyes.

Jarrod wasn't the kind of man to force anyone.

He stared at her for a few seconds before standing up, his expression completely blank. "I'll sleep in the study."

"Mr. Fuller—" Stella called out, stopping him. She apologized, her voice tight with anxiety. "I'm sorry. I just... I wasn't mentally prepared."

Jarrod didn't move or say a word.

Panic set in for Stella. She hurried over, clutching his sleeve, looking up at him with huge, tearful eyes that were impossible to ignore.

"Mr. Fuller, I can do it."