Chapter 135

Vivienne’s body tensed; her grip on the bedsheet tightened involuntarily, bunching the fabric in her clenched fists. “Derek, I’m begging you,” she whispered, her voice soft and fragile, trembling with desperation.

Derek’s deep, gentle voice echoed from above her, sending a shiver down her spine. “What did you say?”

Startled, Vivienne opened her eyes to see him leaning over her, reaching for the hairdryer on the nightstand. Her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. He wasn’t…

She bit her lip, her gaze falling to the bed. “It’s nothing.”

“Really?” His eyes glinted with mischief, a knowing smile curving his lips. “But I clearly heard you begging me. What is it you’re begging me for?” His rich, magnetic voice held an irresistible allure that made her heart skip a beat.

Vivienne’s blush deepened, spreading to her ears, her pulse racing. Seeing his teasing smile, she realized he was deliberately toying with her. Clearing her throat, she tried to steady her racing heart. “Nothing,” she replied, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.

Derek watched her intently, the faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. His smile widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Come here.” He adjusted the hairdryer and beckoned her with a lazy finger.

“I can do it myself,” Vivienne protested, sitting up and reaching for the hairdryer. But before she could grasp it, Derek swiftly moved back, raising the hairdryer above his head.

Caught off guard, Vivienne stumbled forward into his arms. The impact jolted her, and she blinked, her eyes glistening with surprise and embarrassment. “Derek, do you have any idea how infuriating you are?” she exclaimed, shooting him an exasperated glare. She turned away, perching stiffly at the foot of the bed.

Derek’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace. “Not as infuriating as you.”

“What do you mean?” Vivienne’s voice was sharp with disbelief. She twisted to face him. “Explain yourself!”

His lips curled into a playful smile, his breath warm against her ear as he leaned down, his lips brushing her cheek with a tenderness that surprised her. “You agreed to be with me, yet you keep a distance. You make me always think about you. Isn’t that infuriating?”

Vivienne froze, momentarily speechless, the sweetness of his words disarming her. Her heart felt as if it were floating, overwhelmed by the sincerity and warmth of his simple statement. This was what it felt like to be showered with a man’s sweet nothings.

Though her mind urged composure, her heart betrayed her, sinking deeper into the moment, drawn in by his unexpected tenderness. Her eyelashes fluttered, her gaze slowly meeting his, her heart hammering wildly.

It was almost unbelievable that such a captivating man had been single for so long. With his influence and undeniable charm, he could easily have anyone. Could there be something about him, some secret, that prevented him from fully opening up to others?

Derek, sensing the sympathy in her eyes, furrowed his brows slightly. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing.” Vivienne lowered her gaze, hiding the swirl of emotions threatening to overflow.

Derek watched her for a moment, his eyes softening before he turned on the hairdryer. His fingers slid through her silky hair, his touch gentle as he massaged her scalp, noticing the slight tremor in her body as he held her close. Quite sensitive.