Hailey and Declan silently walked down the corridor, until Hailey finally broke the silence with a question. "Declan, who was that woman just now? What did she bring you to the hotel room for?"

Declan quickly pulled his arm away from her touch. "I don’t owe you any answers."

Undeterred, Hailey reached up and placed her hand on his forehead. "Declan, you’re burning up! Are you sick?"

Her soft, delicate hand brushed against him, and the sweet scent of her closeness made Declan’s eyes flare. He quickly pulled her hand away, his voice cutting as he snapped, "Don’t touch me!"

The sharpness of his words made it clear he was repulsed, and Hailey’s eyes glistened with hurt.

As a pampered, sheltered young woman, she had never encountered such coldness before.

A mix of confusion and pain washed over her as she looked up at him, wondering if he really disliked her that much.

She hadn’t done anything wrong.

For a moment, the sadness in her eyes seemed to affect Declan, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he turned and walked away.

Like a shadow, Hailey followed, unable to let go of the distance between them.

They stepped into the elevator one after the other. Their silence was heavy, and neither of them said a word.

Suddenly, the elevator jerked twice before it began to plummet rapidly. Hailey let out a sharp scream, her body thrown forward by the sudden drop.

But before she could crash into the elevator’s walls, a hand shot out, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a searing embrace.

Declan steadied her, holding her securely against him. "It’s just a malfunction, don’t worry."

As Hailey’s fear began to subside while in his protective grip, a warm sensation spread through her chest.

Moments ago, she thought he didn’t care for her, but now she realized—he wasn’t as indifferent as she’d believed. He was looking out for her.

She glanced up at him. "Declan, what’s happening? You’re burning up. Are you sick? Should we go to the hospital?"
----
Declan tightened his grip on her arm, his voice low and
strained. "It’s fine.”

“But you’re like a furnace," Hailey said, her hand
instinctively reaching toward his waist.

The moment her hand brushed against him, Declan’s
breath hitched, his body reacting sharply to her touch.

He had never been in a relationship or been with a woman,
but Adeline’s earlier words about the body’s desires kept
echoing in his mind.

Now, with the aphrodisiac coursing through his veins, those
desires were becoming impossible to ignore.

Declan lowered his head and pressed his lips against
Hailey’s.

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Hailey’s eyes widened in shock, her pupils dilating—was
this really happening?

Was he the one initiating the kiss?


----
He kissed her with an intensity that left her breathless, and
her legs buckled beneath her, making her stumble.


----
Declan quickly steadied her by the
waist, putting away just for a S
momefit. His warm breath fanieed
overher flushed skin. "I’ve been
drugged,” he murmured.


----
Hailey’s mind struggled to catch up. "W-What?"

Declan met her gaze. "Can | kiss you?"

Hailey’s bedy seemed to melt at his.
touch, arid before she knew it, she
wrappéd her arms around his neck,

rising on her toes to return the kiss.


----
Neither of thers had much
experience sat then connection felt
effortlessyas if their past moments)
together‘fad already laid the Ss
foundation. They became entwined,
like €Wo lovebirds swept up ima

t Ber, intimate dance.


----
Hailey’s heart raced with affection for Declan. Kissing him
felt sweeter than she ever expected.

Declan pressed Hailey gently into the corner as he kissed
her again, his hands slowly exploring the contours of her
body.

Meanwhile, Hailey’s cheeks reddened as she buried her
face against his chest, her voice barely a whisper. "Declan."