The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 415

That painfully familiar, clean scent washed over her, filling her senses.

Suzie's face instantly burned crimson. She shoved her hands against his chest, frantically trying to push herself out of his embrace.

But the second she moved, his deep, magnetic voice rumbled in her ear, laced with an undeniable edge of authority.

"Don't move."

The two sharp words felt like a direct command. For a split second, Suzie froze.

But only for a second. Gathering her strength, she shoved at his chest again. And in her desperate attempt to break free, her legs naturally shifted, applying more pressure to the fabric that was still caught.

“Riiiip.”

The sickening sound of tearing silk echoed loudly.

The sharp molding, combined with her sudden movement, tore the delicate fabric from her calf all the way up past her knee. To be precise, the slit now ended dangerously high on her thigh.

Suzie was speechless.

Silk was fragile on a good day, let alone when yanked with that much force!

And the chair's decorative molding wasn't done with her. The snagged edge of the dress was still tangled tightly around the metal, holding her captive.

Suzie didn't dare breathe, let alone move. She knew that if she shifted even an inch, the dress would rip completely up to her hip.

"I told you not to move..."

Jamie, who was still gripping her waist, seemed reluctant to let go. Keeping one arm securely around her, he slowly bent down.

Mortified, Suzie looked down to see what he was doing. But his broad shoulders completely blocked her view of where the fabric was caught.

She could only see his free arm moving, but after several long seconds, he still hadn't stood back up.

He stepped back, shrugging off his lightweight suit jacket, which he had draped over a nearby chair earlier.

Before Suzie could react, he knelt in front of her again and swiftly tied the jacket around her waist.

"It's going to show when you walk. Cover it with this for now. Come with me."

Suzie looked down at her waist. His jacket was huge on her, but because it was tied loosely, it didn't completely hide the dangerous exposure of her leg.

Jamie took a few steps, realized she was frozen in place, and doubled back. He plucked her clutch from her hands and firmly grabbed her wrist, leading her toward the doors.

"Let go of me. I don't need your help," Suzie snapped, her face etched with resistance.

Jamie paused. His dark eyes swept over her face.

"If you want to end up in the tabloids tomorrow, feel free to stand here and throw a tantrum."