Chapter 538

Skylar voiced all her complaints at once. The thought of being Annie's replacement made her deeply uncomfortable. Joe hadn't had time to process his relief at discovering he'd slept with Skylar.

"You've misunderstood," Joe explained patiently. "Annie drugged me. I pushed her off while I was still conscious. When you arrived, I mistook you for Annie for a moment."

After their passionate night, his body was satisfied, and he was in a good mood. His explanations were gentle and patient; his contentment was evident.

Skylar wasn't entirely convinced. "Is this just a misunderstanding?" she asked. "Didn't you tell me to leave? I think I also heard you call Annie's name."

Her entire body ached. She hadn't slept much before Joe woke her. Skylar was furious.

Joe's gentle expression faltered. He needed to teach the Silvers a lesson.

"When I woke up, I thought you were Annie. I felt disgusted and furious," Joe said softly.

Skylar was stunned. "Disgusted?" she repeated.

"Yes."

Skylar's anger subsided. She didn't let the misunderstanding escalate. She sensed Joe's explanation was genuine. Otherwise, Paul wouldn't have called her, and she wouldn't have seen the distraught Silvers in the parking lot.

"Do you believe me now?" Joe pulled Skylar into his arms. He always found comfort in holding her; it deeply satisfied him.

Skylar suddenly grasped his hand, which rested on her chest. "I'm different from you," she said. "I know right from wrong."

His hands, for some reason, tended to wander while holding her.

"Do you like it when I touch you there?" Joe whispered, his hot breath against her ear. "Don't worry, I'll touch you even if you don't press your hand against it."

Skylar's heart skipped a beat. Joe knew all her sensitive spots.

He asked seductively, "Do you want to do it again?"

Skylar's heart pounded. "No, I don't!" she replied.

She broke free from his embrace, wrapped a blanket around herself, and got out of bed. "I'm going to shower and go to work," she said. "If you're still affected by the aphrodisiac, you'll have to deal with it yourself."

She'd been tormented by him all night. She couldn't take it anymore. Even metal bends after enough hammering.

Running to the bathroom, Skylar looked back to find only one blanket on the bed. Joe's naked figure lay sprawled out; he hadn't even tried to cover himself with a pillow.

Skylar glanced at him briefly. Her suspicion was confirmed: he wanted to repeat their encounter.

She inhaled deeply and ducked into the bathroom. She could hear Joe chuckling outside.

"Don't worry, I won't touch you today."

"A man's word isn't always trustworthy!" Skylar retorted.

Standing before the mirror, Skylar examined herself. She was marked from head to toe, her cheeks flushed. Joe's intensity had been overwhelming.

Her legs trembled. Skylar doubted she could go to work and would need another day off.