Next Man Better Plan novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Stephanie blinked.

This was a world away from the man in the crisp military uniform she’d met before. Today, Jonathan wore a black shirt with the top two buttons undone, revealing the faint outline of his chest muscles and radiating a raw, wild energy.

From her angle, she had a perfect view. He had an impressive physique.

Jonathan glanced over, casually asking, “How did you hurt your hand?”

Stephanie paused, then looked down. She hadn’t even noticed that the glass had broken the skin on her palm, and a line of fresh blood was seeping out.

She pressed her lips together, turning her hand over so the back of it rested on her knee. “It’s just a small scratch,” she said, feigning indifference.

“Just a small scratch?”

Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist. Before Stephanie could react, Jonathan lowered his head, lifting her hand to inspect the wound with a look of deep regret.

“How pitiful. Just a small scratch, and I can already see the flesh beneath.”

Stephanie flinched, instinctively trying to pull her hand back, but she was met with a pair of dark, profound eyes.

She bit her lip, remembering the purpose of her visit. “About the acquisition…”

“No rush.” Jonathan leaned down and gently blew on the cut, his movements elegant and tender.

Suddenly, a server knocked and entered, carrying a first–aid kit. “Ms. Jackson, I’m here to dress your wound.”

“1

“…” What was happening?

She glanced instinctively at Jonathan, who had simply placed the crumpled cigarette between his lips and was watching her with a lazy, nonchalant air.

Stephanie’s lashes fluttered as she turned away.

A shard of glass was embedded in the flesh. The moment the server tweezed it out, a sharp pain made her brow furrow, and a muffled groan escaped her lips.

Almost simultaneously, an icy glare shot toward the server, carrying an intense, intimidating force.

The server trembled, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. After quickly finishing the bandaging, he couldn’t take the pressure and fled the room, closing the door behind him.

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Chapter 13

Stephanie flexed her palm. The bandage was surprisingly well done. The server had left in such a hurry she hadn’t even had a chance to thank him.

She took the files for Meridian Consortium out of her bag. “Mr. Vasquez, this is…”

“Mr. Vasquez?” Jonathan lifted his eyes, a mock–injured look on his face. “Why aren’t you asking who I am this time?”

Stephanie froze, her dark hair falling to obscure her face, revealing only the line of her jaw. The man held a grudge. That was the first thought that popped into her head.

That night, after he’d rescued her from the kidnappers, her brain had short–circuited and she’d inexplicably asked, “Who are you?”

That single question had clearly offended him.

After that, Jonathan had remained silent, shoving her into his SUV and driving her into the city with a stony expression, dropping her off in front of her house.

He had sped off without a backward glance, and even now, the memory of his cold fury sent a shiver down her spine.

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