The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 272

She opened her eyes and saw his face.

The flashlight's glow hit him from behind, casting warm, protective shadows across his features.

His hair was completely soaked, plastered to his forehead, but his eyes were entirely focused on her.

Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck, clinging to him like a drowning victim to a piece of driftwood. She held on so tightly she nearly choked him.

But Charley's heart finally settled.

Her soft, trembling body pressed flush against him, and every curve of her frame burned itself into his senses.

How was she this soft? His heart skipped a beat, seized up, and then began to race frantically.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her, momentarily forgetting that they were both still standing in a flooded room.

It took a long while for his pounding heart to steady enough for his rationality to return. He finally remembered why he was there.

"Don't be afraid. I'm taking you somewhere safe." He lifted her off the dining table, one arm supporting her back, the other hooked under her knees.

She was as light as a feather, curled against his chest. Her wet hair clung to his neck—cool and ticklish.

He carried her upstairs, his footsteps steady and measured on the wooden steps.

Nemo trotted up right behind them.

Once on the second floor, he set her down on the bed. She was still shivering uncontrollably, her teeth chattering with faint, clicking sounds.

"Cold," she whispered.

Charley pulled back the covers and wrapped her completely inside them.

Then, right through the blankets, he held her. His arms locked around her tightly, as if trying to transfer every ounce of his own body heat over to her.

"Lavinia, don't be afraid. I'm right here." His lips brushed against her ear, repeating the words like a mantra.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, the trembling stopped.

She opened her eyes and looked at the man in front of her. Her gaze was clear yet slightly dazed, as if she were seeing him for the very first time.

Charley met her eyes, silently holding her gaze for a long moment.

They faced each other like two cautious animals crossing paths for the first time—one large, one small—just watching, neither daring to move.

Suddenly remembering something, he gently peeled her out of the thick blankets.

She looked as if she had just been dragged out of a lake. The soaked fabric of her nightgown clung to her skin, outlining every detail of her figure.

That tiny hint of moisture felt like a spark. It traveled down his fingertips and completely set him on fire.

"This is on me," he said.

He closed his eyes, leaned in, and pressed his lips against hers.

She closed her eyes. Her response was subtle—just a slight tilt of her chin, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks.

In that moment, she finally understood what real love felt like. It wasn't a constant, anxiety-inducing hope; it was a solid, grounded joy.

The storm raged outside, but the noise felt miles away. The only thing close to her was him. Lavinia raised her arms, wrapping them around his neck, never wanting to let go.

His lips lingered on hers, a repeated, gentle confirmation, until he was absolutely certain that her feelings mirrored his own.

After a long time, he slowly pulled away.

She opened her eyes, looking up at him, a soft smile slowly curling the corners of her mouth.

He smiled back. The two of them looked like kids who had just gotten away with stealing candy.

She knew that from now on, she would never be afraid of the dark again.

And from now on, she would never be trapped in the water alone.