Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 286

Besides, the rain outside created a natural sound barrier.

Jonathan got up, pulled on his black trousers, and threw on his shirt, not bothering to fasten the buttons correctly.

“Stay right there. I’ll be back to continue where we left off.”

He walked to the entrance and casually opened the door.

A gust of cool wind blew in, rustling the strands of his sweat-dampened hair.

Outside stood Quennel, his face dark. A white sterile gauze pad was taped to his temple from the surgery.

His injury was serious, and his head was spinning. He should have been resting, but he had pushed himself to come all this way.

He was leaning on Hobart for support just to stay upright.

Quennel’s eyes immediately fell on Jonathan’s improperly worn shirt.

It seemed in his haste to answer the door, Jonathan had mismatched the buttons, revealing the lean muscle of his chest.

Quennel's sharp eyes caught a small, fresh bite mark on his skin.

From its color, it was clear it had been made just moments ago.

Quennel swayed, his gaze piercing past Jonathan to look inside the house.

The living room was lit only by soft floor lamps, casting a warm, atmospheric glow.

So this was where she had been living all this time?

Noticing Quennel’s gaze, Jonathan shifted slightly, opening up a gap for him to see more clearly.

On the sofa in the distance, a few strands of a woman’s hair cascaded over the armrest.

Stephanie must be lying on the sofa. So, they were in the middle of it?

The realization struck Quennel, turning his face pale. It felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart, the pain so intense it felt like all his organs were shattering.

The sudden noise felt like a drum being beaten right next to his ear, aggravating his concussion.

Another wave of dizziness washed over him, and he would have fallen if Hobart hadn't been there to steady him.

Stephanie watched Jonathan return.

The sound of the rain had been too loud for her to hear clearly, but she had caught the faint sound of a man’s voice.

She looked up, her fair face tilted. “Was someone looking for me? I thought I heard someone call my name.”

“You heard wrong,” Jonathan chuckled.

Stephanie couldn't help but cover her eyes with her hand.

Getting a close-up view of his perfect, lean muscles trembling like that was too much of a visual assault.

She couldn’t take it.