Maxwell Thornton leisurely walked to the bed. He had no intention of leaving; as soon as he lay down, he closed his eyes. Lily Bennett’s mind was filled with the sweet words of the man now casually lying before her, leaving her heart in turmoil. She intended to grab her blanket and sleep in another room.
“Lily, come here and sleep.” The man suddenly sat up at the head of the bed, lifting the blanket and patting the spot beside him.
Lily hugged the comforter tightly to her chest. “The contract doesn’t say we have to sleep together.”
“Then from girlfriend, the contract will change to fiancée.” The man lazily leaned against the headboard, gazing at her with half-closed eyes. “Would that make it alright to sleep together?”
Not wanting to waste more words with this mischievous man, Lily grabbed her blanket and left the room. Initially, she thought about sleeping in his room for the night, but upon entering, she realized the sheets had clearly been changed. Still, as she lay down, she could feel Maxwell's familiar scent surrounding her. If this continued, even her sleep would be under his control.
Over time, he’d manipulate her mind, and she’d become dependent on him. Thinking this, Lily grabbed her blanket again and moved to the living room. The sofa was soft enough for her to get a good night's sleep. Wrapped in her blanket, she quickly drifted off.
However, when she woke up, she was startled to find herself lying in her own bed, with Maxwell Thornton’s familiar face right beside her, peacefully sleeping. His breathing was steady and calm.
Lily turned to study the man sleeping next to her. Fate truly wasn’t fair. His face was like a sculpture, so handsome in sleep that it softened into something innocent, making her want to move closer, to hold and kiss him.
But the moment his eyes opened, the overall effect of his features became indifferent and cold—if not downright threatening—sending chills through anyone in his presence. And when he smirked or teased, there was a roguish charm that left people feeling defenseless, utterly powerless. It was the kind of beauty that stripped men of their gentleness and made others want to retreat, too scared to approach.
Lily sighed, trying to recall how she’d gone from sleeping on the sofa to waking up in her own bed. But her memories from the night before had been stolen by someone—she couldn’t remember anything. At that moment, Maxwell opened his eyes and saw her trying to sit up and pull back the blanket.
“I want a delicious breakfast,” his deep, magnetic voice was like the melody of a song, welcoming the new day.
Lily turned her head to see that Maxwell was already awake, his lips curling into a small smile. He said to her, “Will you make breakfast?”
“I don’t have time. I have to go to work, and it’s already late.”
Maxwell lay on his side, one hand propping up his head, his gaze deep as the sea as he stared at her.
“Are you planning to skip breakfast?”
Lily chuckled and shook her head. “No, it’s just that I’m not a good cook. I don’t want to ruin your appetite.”
“So who made that chicken soup the other day?” Maxwell asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
“I did. I meant that I don’t know how to make breakfast. The only thing I can make is chicken soup,” Lily clarified.
She expected Maxwell to be upset, but instead, he laughed and said, “Then make me chicken soup for breakfast.”
With that, he pulled back the blanket and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom to freshen up. Moments later, he came downstairs, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Even his shirt was missing. Watching his retreating figure, Lily thought to herself that this man must be possessed! Why did he always have to make things difficult for her, clinging to her like this?
Shaking off her frustration, Lily hurriedly brushed her teeth, washed her face, and went downstairs. She headed straight for the kitchen, where the sight of Maxwell, still in his towel, greeted her. He had already turned on the stove. Eggs were sizzling in the pan, and slices of whole wheat bread had just popped out of the toaster. The sunlight streaming through the window bathed the room, casting a soft glow on him. Even the simple act of holding a kitchen knife in his slender hands was impossibly seductive.
At that moment, Maxwell was slicing some scallions. He looked up at Lily, who was standing in the doorway in her pajamas, and his lips curved into a small smile. Lily quickly looked away. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard his smooth voice behind her.
“There’s milk in the fridge. Go get a cup.”
“Oh.” Lily instinctively responded, stepping inside.
Standing in the unfamiliar kitchen, she asked, feeling a bit lost, “Where are the cups?”
Maxwell glanced at the cupboard above her. Lily stood on her toes and stretched to open the cabinet door. But the cups were too far back, and despite her efforts, she couldn’t reach them. After jumping up twice and still not getting the cups, she was about to head to the living room to grab a chair when a large hand reached around her from behind, pressing her back gently into his chest.
If she turned her head now, her face would surely collide with his chest. Lily stiffened, glancing upward, only to see him gazing down at her. Their eyes met, and Lily quickly looked away, staring at her bare feet, which had forgotten to slip into slippers.
Maxwell retrieved the cups and handed them to her, his posture resembling a warm embrace from behind. Lily took the two clear cups in her hands, wanting to turn around, but he didn’t move, showing no intention of letting her go.
“Aren’t you going to let me take these to the table?” Dr. Bennett could feel her face heat up from embarrassment, her heart pounding in her chest.
Maxwell, still holding her from behind, whispered softly into her ear, “You need to rinse them first.”
With that, he turned on the faucet for her.
“How can I rinse them if you don’t move?”
“I’ll teach you.” He took her hands in his, guiding her to place the cups under the running water.
Holding her tightly against his chest, he rested his head on her shoulder, his hands around her as he expertly rinsed the cups. Lily, caught in his embrace, was helpless, unable to escape even if she wanted to. His masculine scent invaded her senses, filling her ears and nose... Behind her, Maxwell stood, bare-chested, his body radiating heat that seemed to sear her skin through her thin pajamas.
“Maxwell, let go of me. I can wash them myself!” Her voice trembled slightly from the embarrassment.
It was barely morning, and she had almost been overwhelmed by him. Lily felt utterly powerless. Maxwell was like a fine wine aged to perfection, intoxicatingly strong and impossible to resist. It seemed inevitable that one day, she’d fall under his spell—not just losing face but losing her heart as well.
Lily turned to say something to him, but just then, he leaned down, and his lips brushed against hers. Instinctively, she bit her lower lip, an action that didn’t escape Maxwell’s notice, deepening his smile. Finally, Lily couldn’t take it anymore. She dropped the cup, pushed him away, and ran out of the kitchen. She couldn’t stay in there for another second.
Watching her retreating figure, Maxwell smiled, feeling very pleased.
To the world, you might only be a little Lily Bennett, but to me, you are the entire world.