When His Perfect Mask Shattered I Awoke (Anneliese and Zacharias) novel Chapter 682

Back then, Jonathan had nearly died in that fire. Derek must have investigated the cause thoroughly. My grandpa is not someone who could be fooled so easily. If the fire had not been an accident, did he already know the truth?

…

The next morning, Anneliese woke to a familiar scent that was clean, steady, and safe.

She was held tightly in a man's arms, her cheek pressed against his warm, solid chest. Beneath her ear, his heartbeat sounded calm and strong, a slow rhythm that made it impossible not to relax.

Under the covers, there was nothing between them. It was her bare skin against his.

Her memory caught up with her. She had fallen asleep in the car last night, which meant he had carried her inside, undressed her, and put her to bed. And she remembered absolutely none of it.

Anneliese had the sudden urge to hide her face. At this rate, she felt even more like a pregnant woman than Jessica did.

She shifted slightly and lifted her eyes, studying the man beside her in the hazy morning light.

Jonathan was fast asleep. Even her slightest movement failed to disturb him.

His sharp features were softened in rest, the tension she was so used to seeing completely gone. It startled her. This was the first time she could remember sleeping less deeply than he had.

Without his usual aura of control and pressure, his good looks were almost unfairly clear. He looked like a prince from a fairytale, handsome and disarmingly harmless.

The contrast was almost cute.

She watched him shamelessly, unwilling to look away. One finger lifted, tracing the air above his brows, the bridge of his nose, drifting toward his lips.

A large hand then closed around her fingers with unerring precision.

Before she could react, her fingertip landed against his lips, and he kissed it.

"Did I wake you?" she asked lightly, tapping his mouth as she smiled.

Jonathan opened his eyes and tightened his arms around her.

Sunlight slipped through the narrow gap in the curtains, quietly filling the room, scattering warmth over the tangled figures on the bed.

He looked down at her, voice low. "Yeah. And not just me."

She barely had time to register the question before the hand at her waist pulled her firmly against him.

Understanding dawned on her instantly.

Jonathan caught her foot easily, his palm warm as it squeezed, his brows lifting with lazy confidence. "You're still kicking pretty hard. Seems like you didn't give it your all earlier. Can't blame me for taking my time."

He is absolutely unbelievable.

She shot him a glare, only for him to laugh softly and scratch the sole of her foot.

Anneliese dialed Jessica's number, but the moment the call connected, Jonathan ambushed her with another ticklish touch. She let out a soft, breathy sound without meaning to, her voice still tinged with lingering warmth.

Jessica's flat, unimpressed voice came through the line. "Girl, I know we're close, but not close enough for me to overhear your bedroom activities."

Anneliese was stunned into silence. Her ears went hot. She yanked her foot free and cleared her throat. "Uh—cough—I'm on my way now. I'll take you to the airport…"

She gathered the blanket and moved to get out of bed, but Jessica cut in immediately. "You haven't even climbed off Mr. Fullbuster's bed yet, have you?"

Anneliese wanted to hide her face. "I'm already off it!"

To prove her point, she shoved her feet into her slippers and stomped hard on the floor.

Jessica snorted, clearly picturing everything effortlessly. "If I wait for you, I'm not boarding today. Good thing I know you so well, you softie. There is no chance you can resist your man's allure. I already knew you'd bail on me."