The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 316

Nora's movements were forced to a halt, and she froze in place.

Gideon slightly turned his head. Because his back was to Nora, she couldn't see his expression, only hearing his heavy breathing.

"Mrs. Hayes."

Gideon lowered his voice, a hint of dangerous warning in his tone. It was hoarse and dry, as if he were desperately suppressing something.

"I am still a man."

His fingers tightened slightly, pressing the back of her hand against the muscles of his back, feeling the pulse of his heartbeat beneath her palm.

"If you keep moving around, I can't guarantee I won't do something right here in this hospital bed."

The warning in his words and the overwhelming predatory presence of a mature man crashed down on her, along with the scorching heat radiating against her hand.

Nora's mind went completely blank at his words. She stood there paralyzed, and it wasn't until she felt the rough calluses of Gideon's palm against the back of her hand, and realized the utterly compromising position they were in, that her rationality suddenly returned.

Her cheeks burned a furious red, and she frantically tried to pull her hand back.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

She stammered out an explanation, stumbling backward with such force that she nearly knocked over the IV stand behind her.

Gideon let go of her hand.

A fleeting smile flashed across his usually stoic face, and a low, husky chuckle echoed through the quiet hospital room.

Supporting himself on the edge of the bed, he slowly turned around, intending to tease her a bit more. But the moment he got a clear look at Nora's face, the smile on his lips instantly froze.

"You were so bold just a second ago, daring to reach out and touch my back. How did a simple joke scare you this much?"

Gideon raised his hand.

"Come here."

Nora stood frozen in place, sniffing hard. She reached up to haphazardly wipe the tears from her face, stubbornly shaking her head.

Seeing her defiance, the exasperation between his brows deepened.

"Alright, stop crying."

Staring into her red eyes, he spoke with absolute patience. "I already told you, these are minor injuries. They won't kill me. If Mrs. Hayes keeps sobbing like this, people will think I'm the one bullying you."