Returning with Triple Treasures: My CEO Husband Is Obsessed novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 The Wound and the Kiss

Xavier didn’t even glance at the glass. “It’s too cold.”

His imperious tone grated on Isabella’s nerves. For a split second, she imagined simply tipping the pot over him.

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But after a pause, noticing his pale, dry lips, she relented. She took a digital thermometer from the bedside stand, mixed hot water with cool, and tested it until it read 113 degrees Fahrenheit–exactly the temperature she knew he preferred. She handed him the glass.

The number 113 was one of the first details she had memorized when she started working for him. Even now, when setting a coffee machine, her fingers would instinctively hover over that temperature.

Seeing the reading on the thermometer, Xavier’s stern expression softened almost imperceptibly.

His right hand was immobilized by the IV. He tried to reach for the glass with his left, but it was tethered by a monitor wire, its short length restricting his movement.

“Just stop moving,” Isabella said, a note of exasperation in her voice.

She brought the glass to his lips herself. In doing so, she leaned in close, her chest nearly brushing his face…

Xavier’s gaze shifted away instinctively, but the soft, sweet fragrance of her perfume filled his senses, causing a sudden, unwelcome heat to flare within him.

“Why aren’t you drinking?”

Seeing his hesitation, Isabella assumed he was being difficult again. She brought the glass to her own lips and took a small sip.

“See? No poison. Are you satisfied now?”

A strange intensity flickered in Xavier’s eyes. His gaze dropped to the faint lipstick mark on the rim of the glass, and his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.

Isabella brought the glass back to his lips, carefully cupping her hand beneath it to catch any drops.

His lips had just touched the rim when Isabella suddenly yanked the glass away

“Wait! You can’t drink this now!”

Xavier sputtered, a cough racking his frame. He glared at her, his eyes blazing. “Isabella! Are you trying to kill me?”

She adopted a look of feigned remorse. “I’m sorry, Xavier. I drank from it. If you drink now, it’s… well, it’s like sharing a glass. Given your… fastidiousness, I know you’d never-”

Her words were cut off as he suddenly pulled her into his arms, his mouth crashing down on hers.

Isabella’s eyes flew open wide in shock, momentarily paralyzed.

The IV bag, knocked from its stand, swung down and struck Xavier’s shoulder, but it did nothing to halt his rough, demanding kiss.

It was only when Isabella began to push against him in a frenzy that he finally released her. As he pulled back, his teeth caught her lower lip, and the coppery tang of blood bloomed between them.

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12:25 pm P

Chapter 22 The Wound and the Kiss

“Xavier, you’re a complete animal!”

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Habella stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance. She pressed her fingers to her throbbing, split lip, the pain sharp and startling

“Isn’t this what you were angling for?” Xavier sneered, calmly righting the fallen IV bag. The needle had been torn from his hand again, and a fresh trickle of blood ran down his skin.

“Angling for what?”

Seeing the blood, Isabella hurriedly hit the nurse’s call button. As she waited, she tore a tissue from the box to dab at the wound.

“The whole ‘sharing a glass‘ routine? Your attempts at seduction could stand to be a little less transparent.” He coldly brushed her helping hand aside.

“I’m seducing you?” Isabella was so angry she could barely speak. Had she been blind to his insanity all along?

“Let’s be clear, Xavier. You just assaulted me.” Then, a humorless laugh escaped her. “Oh, I see. Could it be you actually have feelings for me?”

Xavier’s gaze darkened, his eyes boring into her. After a long, tense silence, he said coldly, “Isabella, do you need me to spell out the definition of ‘delusions of grandeur“?”

“Am I wrong? You haven’t married anyone else in five years, you refuse to divorce me, and now this… In anyone’s book, Xavier, that adds up to something”

Her words only seemed to make his expression darker. A derisive smirk touched his lips. “Your lack of shame is impressive. Even your perfume is provocative. It seems you’ve honed quite a few skills for pleasing men over the years.”

Provocative perfume? Pleasing men?

Isabella felt a hot wave of indignation rise in her chest. She was about to fire back a retort when the nurse arrived.

After treating Xavier’s hand, the nurse turned to Isabella with a concerned look. “The IV has been dislodged twice now, and the site is quite bruised. He really needs to avoid any further strain or movement.”

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