Celia took the towel, holding it carefully between her fingers, keeping it as close as possible to his skin without truly touching him. She rubbed in small circles, her cheeks already burning red.
This was unbearable. She was just a normal woman, and facing a man this impossibly handsome, she had no idea where to rest her eyes.
When she reached his chest, Nathaniel Fu suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse and low."Celia, where exactly are you rubbing?"
Her breath caught. Her gaze darted to his broad, muscular chest, then immediately fled."I didn't rub it—" she blurted, flustered. "The towel did!"
Nathaniel's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes fixed on her flushed face."Keep going."
Celia forced herself to continue, lowering the towel to clean carefully around the wound. But her eyes inevitably caught sight of his sharply defined abs, the lean waist that dipped into his black trousers, cinched by a belt.
Her nose tingled with heat—she half feared she might start bleeding.
"Celia, why is your face so red?" he teased.
She snatched the towel back, replying with forced seriousness, "It's hot."
In the dead of winter, her excuse was laughable. Nathaniel's lips curved faintly.
Flustered, Celia set the towel aside and reached for the basin, relieved to finally escape this impossible task. But Nathaniel's voice stopped her.
"Did you forget to wipe something?"
She froze. "Where?"
His gaze flicked downward—toward his trousers. "That too. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep."
Her eyes followed before she realized what he meant. Shock jolted through her, and she snapped her head away like a frightened rabbit. Her legs trembled as panic filled her."I—I won't wipe that!"
"You must."
"You're injured in the abdomen, not your hands! Can't you do it yourself?"
Lounging lazily against the headboard, his narrow eyes shimmered with mischief. "Your hands are softer."
Her clear, tear-bright eyes widened, rippling like water. "Then I'll call a nurse. I saw one outside just now."
She turned to leave, but in one swift motion Nathaniel caught her slender wrist and tugged her into his arms. Her body landed softly against his chest.
"The nurses outside are all men," he murmured, voice dangerously smooth. "Do you really think they can do it for me?"
Her hand pressed instinctively against him, though she dared not push too hard, afraid of hurting his wound. This man… so particular about even this.
"Why not?" she shot back. "A male nurse can wipe you just fine."
Nathaniel's gaze dropped to her flushed lips. His voice deepened. "It feels better when a woman does it."
Celia's heart pounded furiously. She flung the towel straight at his face."Pervert!"
He caught her easily, tugging her down with him as he reclined. Celia tried to resist."I still need to clean the basin!"
"Someone will take care of it tomorrow. Sleep."
The little house was simple—only one bed, no sofa, not even spare blankets. Which meant she had no choice but to share the bed with him tonight.
Turning her back to him, Celia tried to ignore the heat rising within her. It had been just over a month since they'd last been this close, and now they were lying side by side again.
Nathaniel lay still for a moment before shifting. His arm slid around her waist, drawing her back against him. His lips grazed her hair, then trailed lower in urgent kisses.
Even through the thin fabric of her clothes, she felt the blaze of his body, scorching her like iron pressed to skin.
The effects of the love flower's poison were taking hold.
Celia trembled, struggling against him. "Nathaniel!"
But he had already rolled her beneath him, his bloodshot eyes clouded with desire."Cici," he rasped, voice thick with hunger, "you gave me the love flower. Didn't you think of this?"