Chapter 1474:

Elena’s eyes narrowed.

“Where else are you hurt?” What kind of force could injure the infamous Nightshade, of all people—and right in the heart of Klathe?

Without another word, Wesley guided her fingers to his shirt buttons, slowly coaxing her to unfasten them, his gaze never straying from her face.

The air between them thickened with tension. A dramatic sigh left Elena as she rolled her eyes skyward. Even now, he was in the mood for flirting—was he out of his mind?

Wesley’s smile appeared the moment she placed her hand on his stomach.

A moment later, Elena shoved him aside.

“If you’re feeling needy, the bathroom’s that way. Take a cold shower or handle it yourself. I’m not in the mood right now.”

Wesley slumped back against the sofa, his voice dripping with mock agony.

“Babe, seriously, what’s going through your head? All I wanted was a little help with the ointment.”

With a flourish, he lifted his shirt, exposing the dark bruises on his torso.

Elena paused, surprised. The damage was real; a nasty bruise stood out against the sharp lines of Wesley’s muscles. She frowned and asked, “What caused this?”

Wesley spotted the flicker of worry in her eyes and grinned even wider. So she did care. That alone seemed to make every bruise worth it.

He offered her the ointment, his tone light but hopeful.

“Babe, could you help me with the ointment now?”

Drawing closer, Wesley let his voice drop to a low murmur.

“We could always take things a little further, you know. I’m game if you are.”

A sharp flash crossed Elena’s eyes. Even battered and bruised, he somehow found the energy for flirting.

“Shut up,” she said, snatching the ointment from his hand and getting to work.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗀ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀꞉ⅽ𝗈𝗆

Wesley’s grin remained, completely unfazed by her glare.

Elena bent to her task, hair tumbling over her shoulders like silk, the strands half-veiling her face as she focused on his wounds. The sight captivated him, though she seemed utterly unaware of it.

A different kind of warmth settled in Wesley’s chest. So many were drawn in by her beauty; he wished he could hide her away, unseen by others. No one needed to know how mesmerizing she really was.

Wesley’s eyes traced the line of her lashes before lingering on her lips, soft as fresh petals after rain.

Without warning, Wesley seized her wrist and leaned in for a kiss.

Before he could reach her, her hand shot up, covering his mouth.

Wesley’s breath deepened, his gaze intense as he searched her face, clearly seeking a kiss.

But Elena only shook her head.

“No kisses until you explain.”

Wesley’s voice was huskier than before.

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