Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia didn't say a word.

Not wanting Naomi to worry, she insisted she was fine, slapped an ice pack on for half an hour, and called it a night.noveldrama

Rupert, of course, saw right through her. He exchanged a look with Orson, who was standing by the door.

Orson took the hint and slipped out quietly.

Sylvia figured that was her chance to get off Rupert's lap, but he spun his

wheelchair around, trapping her between himself and the table.

Suddenly, his warm chest pressed against her, and she could feel his breath, hot

against her cheek. Her face, already flushed, burned even more.

His voice was low and rough in her ear. "Did you get enough to eat?"

Sylvia nodded quickly. "You should eat something."

"Don't like any of it," Rupert replied flatly.

So why'd he buy so much? Sylvia glanced at the table, noticing for the first time that the food was exactly what she'd missed out on at the food truck festival the

other night.

She paused, then looked back at Rupert-right into his intense gaze. There was no mistaking the heat in his eyes.

Sylvia's breath caught. She felt like a deer caught in headlights.

She nervously bit her lip. "I can order something else for you."

She tried to stand, but Rupert caught her head in his palm and drew her close, so close their foreheads almost touched.

"I'll pick for myself," he murmured.

Before she could react, he pressed his lips to hers, gentle at first, then deeper, more demanding.

Just then, Orson knocked on the door-three sharp raps.

Sylvia panicked, pushing at Rupert's chest.

He only held her tighter, clearly in no rush to stop.

Orson didn't knock again. He probably had a pretty good idea what was going on.

A few moments later, Orson tried again.

"Mr. Rupert? Uh... Chris is here."

Meaning: he couldn't hold Chris back any longer.

Chris, bless him, had no sense for boundaries—he'd barge in anywhere, and God knows what he'd see.

Sylvia's embarrassment shot through the roof. She bit Rupert's lip, and he finally let her go.

She caught her breath and tried to get up, but her whole body still fett hot-from where she'd been sitting on Rupert, and... well, from other things she didn't want to think about.

She glanced at Rupert's pants.

He caught her looking, voice husky. "See something you like?"

Busted. Sylvia immediately turned away.

Just as she did, the door opened and Chris bounced in, Orson trailing behind.

Chris grinned, full of mischief. "Ms. Lloyd, what's with the time-out in the corner?"

Sylvia glared at the blank wall in front of her, gritting her teeth, then turned back around.

Thankfully, Rupert had used the table to shield himself.

He shot a look at Orson, who quickly jumped in to change the subject. "The medicine just arrived. Perfect timing-Dr. Chris, could you check on Ms. Lloyd?"

At the mention of a check-up, Chris sobered up and approached Sylvia.

It was the closest he'd ever been to her, and his heart was pounding so loud he was sure everyone could hear.

He'd always known Sylvia was gorgeous, but up close she was absolutely breathtaking. He got lost just looking at her.

Rupert cleared his throat-twice. "Well? How's she doing?"

Chris snapped out of it. "She's fine. Just a little bruised-some ointment and she'll be good as new." He glanced at Rupert and noticed a red mark on his lip. "What happened to your mouth? Did you get hit too?"

Rupert wiped his lip. "Bit it."

Sylvia kicked the wheel of his chair under the table.

Rupert narrowed his eyes and shrugged. "Was eating. Bit myself."

Chris and Orson exchanged glances, doing their best not to laugh.

Sylvia just wanted to sink straight through the floor.

Chris cleared his throat. "So, what was the emergency? Why'd you drag me all

the way out to Mountain City? Your niece seems perfectly fine."

Rupert's expression darkened. He pulled a hotel key card from his pocket. "Go take a look."

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