Chapter 357

Shermaine leaned in, pinching his waist. “You started this.”

“I surrender,” Joshua murmured, his voice slightly hoarse. “Unlock me, Sheary.”

“No,” she said sternly. “You had your chance. Now, it’s punishment time.”

The handcuffs and tie couldn’t truly restrain Joshua. He’d allowed this because resisting would upset her, but regret came swiftly.

Shermaine removed his glasses, staring into those deep-set eyes that always seemed to pull her in. She kissed the corner of his eye, then flicked open his belt buckle with a sharp click that echoed in the quiet room.

Outside, Loang’s skyline glittered, the window faintly reflecting their entangled silhouettes.

Joshua’s breathing was ragged. His black shirt hung open, revealing a heaving chest damp with sweat as he leaned against the headboard, his eyes narrowed and flushed.

Shermaine licked her lips, savoring his unraveling. A nip at his Adam’s apple drew another broken gasp from him. Then, she abruptly stood. “Reflect on your behavior.”

Joshua couldn’t move. With the intoxicating sensation suddenly gone, all that remained was pure torment. She teased him but didn’t give him what he truly wanted.

“Sheary,” he said, trying to steady his breath. “I’ve reflected. Deeply. Untie me, please.”

“No.” Shermaine stuck out her tongue.

“Last chance,” Joshua warned, though his chuckle betrayed him.

“Nope.” Shermaine’s gaze flicked briefly at his bulge, then away. “You’re not penitent enough. Keep reflecting.” With that, she reclaimed the handkerchief, tucked it into her bag, and headed to the bathroom.

Joshua exhaled through clenched teeth, his eyes fond yet exasperated. He thought, ‘My girl is too clever for her own good. Where did she learn such methods? Does she realize what happens when a caged beast breaks free?’

The memory of her teasing had his muscles coiling again. He craved more.

When Shermaine returned from her shower, she found only the discarded handcuffs and crumpled tie on the bed. She thought, ‘So he could have escaped anytime? Tsk, he was humoring my punishment just now!’

A rustling came from the living room. Shermaine stepped out to find Joshua by the fridge, tilting his head back as he gulped water.

Droplets trailed down his jaw, over his throat, and vanished into the open collar of his shirt. Even drinking water looked sexy on him.

Joshua set the bottle down, his eyes locking onto her robe-clad figure.

Shermaine leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him with amusement.

Joshua closed the distance without a word, his lips hot and insistent against hers. Teeth grazed her neck. He murmured, “Sheary, it’s my turn now.”

Shermaine chuckled, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”

“I’d happily go blind,” he countered, his fingers tugging at her robe tie. “Daily.”

His breath hitched. He thought, ‘Teasing me like that, bringing me to the edge only to walk away…it’s cruel. Do it often enough, and she’ll break me.’

He whispered in her ear, “I’m suffering, Sheary. Take responsibility.”

1714 Fri, 27 Jun Chapter 357

By dawn, Shermaine hurled the handkerchief at him and yanked the covers up. “Take it. Now go. I need sleep.”

Joshua caught it, grinning as he pressed a kiss on her cheek. “Next time you want to punish me, just use a whip.” His voice softened. “It’s not the handkerchief I mind, just the man who held onto it.”

Bruce had done nothing wrong, but Joshua still found the keepsake irritating. The jealousy-fueled antics had lasted half the night.

Shermaine eyed him, then burrowed into his arms. “Sleep.”

The next morning, they boarded their flight home. Shermaine didn’t open her eyes once from takeoff to landing.

Her stellar performance at the math conference, coupled with her fame as Professor Jean, drew a crowd of scholars and reporters to the airport.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jameson’s failing heart and kidneys had landed him in the hospital. These days, he had already become skinny.