Chapter 198

Joshua had never learned restraint–kissing her wasn’t enough; he had to pin her down, his glasses discarded somewhere, forgotten. Fabric rucked up. The dip of her waist beneath his palms. The drag of his calluses against her skin.

Shermaine slapped his hand away and wrapped herself tightly in the blanket. “I’m going to sleep,” she said.

Joshua was still craving more, but he knew he had to stop. ‘If I go any further and things get out of hand, Shermaine won’t take any responsibility for me,’ he thought.

Meanwhile, after Ross and Danielle had lunch and left Riverdale Restaurant, Ross had to take her back to the hospital.

In the parking lot, Danielle perched herself on Ross’ lap, playfully tugging at his tie. “So, tell me–why did you kiss me back at the hospital?” she asked.

Her soft, honeyed voice dripped with playful seduction.

With the woman perched on his lap in the cramped space, Ross’ hands hovered awkwardly. Yet he remained composed. “I don’t like being misunderstood.”

Danielle pressed closer to him. “Did you really have to kiss me in front of everyone?” she murmured playfully. “Now the whole hospital thinks I have a boyfriend.”

But this so-called boyfriend? It was all just for show–nothing real.

Ross pressed his lips.

He had to admit, back then, he’d acted on impulse without thinking things through. “What do you want me to do?” he asked.

Danielle gave his earlobe a playful pinch. “I’m taking my kiss back,” she murmured, her warm breath brushing his lips before she pressed hers softly to his pale ones.

At first, Ross just sat there, letting her kiss him.

Yet Danielle pressed against him with softness, occasionally rubbing against him. Her delicate fragrance enveloped him, and those few teasing movements were enough to ignite his desire.

For a moment, the usually composed gentleman now had a flush creeping into his eyes, his expression strained. His crisp shirt bore the marks of her grasping fingers.

Danielle chuckled softly. “Ross, you’re getting so flustered… Want me to give you a hand?”

“Get off me,” Ross said firmly.

Danielle’s eyes crinkled into a mischievous smile. “Take a doctor’s advice–don’t hold it in. It’s bad for your health.”

Ross studied her–what a picture of innocence, yet the words from her lips were downright audacious, nothing like a proper lady.

Danielle’s heart raced–ears burning crimson, palms slick with sweat. It was the first time she’d ever truly liked a man, and no matter how much she pretended to be experienced, nervousness still coiled tight in her chest.

“Dr. Shelly, this is my limit,” Ross said with polite finality. In other words, he wasn’t going to take things any further with Danielle.

“Why?” she asked.

“Dr. Shelly, this is just a mutual arrangement between us, isn’t it?” Ross said with polite restraint.

Danielle tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “Then, what do you think, should we turn this act into something real?”

“Don’t be silly,” he said. He wasn’t in the mood.

Her smile faded, keeping her composure. “Fine.”

Deep down, she was fuming.

And honestly, she couldn’t help feeling a little sad.

‘Does Ross really not go for girls like me?’ she wondered, a pang of disappointment twisting in her chest.

At 3 p.m. sharp, the math exam began.

Shermaine arrived punctually for the exam. After it began, she finished and submitted her paper a full thirty minutes before the end. The moment she stood up to hand it in, Jason immediately followed suit, submitting his paper right after her.

However, even after submitting their papers, they were not permitted to leave immediately, but were directed to wait in a nearby classroom.

Only after the proctor announced they could leave did Shermaine and the others, who had been waiting in the classroom, finally get up and head out together.

A crowd of parents had gathered at the school gate, with even a few reporters among them.

All in all, the place was buzzing.

A sleek black Bentley waited discreetly by the roadside, its understated presence almost lost in the commotion.

As soon as the reporter saw Shermaine emerge, they hurried over and said, “Miss, you finished so early! Would you mind sharing how you feel after the exam?”