Chapter 989

"I'm tired of looking at your face!"

"Then what kind do you prefer? I'll get plastic surgery." Ethan Roscente leaned closer, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Vivian Laurent arched an eyebrow. "I like pig heads. Would you get that done too?"

"That sounds tedious." Ethan caught her hand and pressed it against his cheek. "Just hit me instead. You can see a pig head whenever you want. The swelling goes down, and it's reusable."

Vivian burst into laughter.

She'd never seen this side of Ethan before. When had the cold, aloof man learned to joke like this?

"Confess. Where did you learn these sweet-talking skills?"

"Hmm?" Ethan blinked innocently.

"Tell me! Have you used these lines on someone else before?"

"That's slander!" Ethan immediately raised his hand in oath. "There's no one else but you in my eyes. If I'm lying, may lightning strike me!"

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, terrified she'd bring up Sophia Evans again.

"Relax, I was just teasing." Vivian poked his forehead.

Ethan pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin atop her head. "Vivian, let's stop doubting each other. If we'd just talked sooner, we wouldn't have wasted so much time."

His voice grew muffled. "Like this time—you went to see Patrick Alpinus without telling me."

"I didn't want to interrupt your work."

"You're more important than anything." His arms tightened around her.

Vivian's ears burned. A simple embrace left her throat parched.

"Get me some water." She nudged him.

Ethan rose immediately. He started toward the door shirtless until Vivian grabbed him.

"Put on a robe! What if you run into Isabella? How embarrassing."

Ethan obediently slipped into a bathrobe. Only Felix Valdemar slept in the living room, snoring thunderously.

When he returned with water, Vivian curled against the headboard. The warm lamplight caught her delicate sips, making her resemble a lazy cat.

Ethan's throat moved. Suddenly, he felt desperately thirsty too.