Chapter 75
Cecilia’s pov
Alpha Sebastian remained motionless, his deep amber eyes studying me with an intensity that made my skin tingle.
I avoided meeting his gaze directly.
Every time our eyes connected, I quickly looked away, focusing instead on the elegant line of his collarbone visible through the partially open robe.
Our gazes were misaligned – him watching my face, me staring at his chest.
The seconds ticked by in the quiet room, and still, he made no move to remove his clothing.
My anxiety grew with each passing moment.
Surely he didn’t expect me to p>
Unable to bear the tension any longer, I lifted my eyes briefly before blurting out, “I’ll help you undress p>
[It was just changing bandages, for heaven’s sake!
Better to get it over with quickly than prolong this awkwardness p>
Not waiting for his response, I leaned forward, reaching for his chest.
My hands hesitated just above the smooth silk of his robe, my fingers finally pressing against the firm warmth of his pectoral muscles.
Time stood still.
The thunderous beating of his heart—or was it mine?—made my pupils dilate in response.
My brain short-circuited.
My hands froze in place.
I’d intended to slip the robe off his shoulders, but the moment my fingertips contacted that warm, solid chest, seeing the perfect outline of muscle beneath the thin fabric, I was completely stunned.
“Cecilia, what exactly… are you trying to do?” Alpha Sebastian’s deep voice rumbled close to my ear, his warm breath caressing my face, carrying his distinct scent of sandalwood.
It tickled my skin in a way that sent shivers down my spine.
I yanked my hands back as if burned. “I’m just… changing position p>
Alpha Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “You’re changing position p>
“Not like that!” I sputtered. “I just want to get your clothes off p>
The moment those words left my mouth, I realized how they sounded.
Alpha Sebastian’s lips curved into a slight smirk. “Lower your voice. No need to be so… enthusiastic p>
I was NOT enthusiastic!
My face felt like it was about to combust.
His expression of amused tolerance only seemed to confirm whatever inappropriate thoughts he imagined I was having.
I took a deep breath, about to explain myself, but realized any explanation would only make things more awkward. Instead, I moved behind him on the bed.
When I said “changing position,” I meant moving behind him!
To help him take off his… oh god, this was hopeless.
After a moment of silent meltdown, I forced my thoughts back on track.
This was about treating a wound.
Changing bandages.
A completely clinical situation!
“Cecilia, are you plotting my murder from back there?” Alpha Sebastian teased.
I gave a weak laugh, then hesitantly reached for his neck, carefully sliding my hands beneath the collar of his robe.
Despite my best efforts to avoid touching his skin, my fingers inevitably brushed against his neck, collarbone, shoulders, and arms. It wasn’t intentional—it was unavoidable.
As the robe slipped from his upper body, expanses of flawless pale skin were revealed to my eyes. His shoulders were impressively broad, his waist narrow.
From my side view, I could see the defined lines of his obliques disappearing beneath the remaining fabric at his hips.
His perfectly proportioned muscles resembled classical sculpture, exuding strength even in stillness.
A visual feast, my mind supplied helpfully.
Now that I was behind him, safely hidden from his gaze, I felt more relaxed.
I even had the presence of mind to appreciate the VIEW that had entered my line of sight.
Looking was one thing, but I had a job to do.
Kneeling on the bed, I bent forward to unwrap the bandage around his waist.
Then I took some ointment and carefully applied it to his wound with a cotton swab.
The medication was sticky and wet, so I instinctively blew on it gently to help it dry faster p>
Alpha Sebastian went completely rigid. The muscles across his back tensed visibly.
When the medicine seemed dry enough, I took fresh bandages and began wrapping them around his torso, my hands circling his waist repeatedly p>
“That’s enough. Stop.” His voice cut through the silence, suddenly rough and gravelly.
The veins in his neck and arms had become prominently visible.
I paused, confused, still holding the unfinished bandage. “I’m almost done… Did I hurt you p>
Alpha Sebastian’s expression was severe and complicated.
He couldn’t answer my question, pushing my hands away instead. “Get off. I’ll finish the rest myself p>
His voice was cold.
His breathing had quickened.
I froze, feeling anger bubble up inside me.
I’d been careful. Patient. Professional.
So what the hell was his problem?
How hard could it be to work as this man’s secretary without losing your mind?
Alpha Sebastian must’ve realized he was being a jackass, because his tone shifted slightly.
“Go whip something up in the kitchen,” he said, less sharp this time. “I’m starving p>
I nearly quit on the spot. The words were already halfway on the tip of my tongue, but I choked them back.
As I got off the bed, my knees gave out from sitting too long. I stumbled, landing on the floor with a soft thud.
Alpha Sebastian blinked, then looked down at me—hands on the bed, kneeling like some pathetic servant.
His brow lifted. “What’s this? Begging for a raise p>
“My legs fell asleep, you arrogant wolf,” I snapped.
I sat there for a second, rubbing my knees before pushing myself up and stomping out of the room.
In the kitchen, I opened the refrigerator with lingering resentment.
Any heroic image I’d built of him after he saved me was thoroughly shattered tonight!
Figuring that no matter what culinary masterpiece I prepared, that impossible man would find fault with it, I spotted some fresh noodles and decided to make a simple soup.
I grabbed some greens and an egg, halfheartedly preparing the plainest possible noodle soup.
When I brought it to the dining room, I found Alpha Sebastian had already left his bedroom and was sitting in the living room.
“Are you eating here?” I asked, carrying the bowl toward him.
Alpha Sebastian stood. “In the dining room p>
I bit back a retort. Why was he sitting in the living room then?
I carried the soup to the dining table, barely containing my frustration.
Alpha Sebastian sat down and stared at the bowl of noodles garnished with only vegetables and a poached egg.
After a moment of silence, he remarked, “Not bad p>
“Glad you like it, Alpha,” I replied with an artificial smile, while mentally rolling my eyes.
Sarcasm? Fine.
He could eat it or not—I didn’t care.
“I can’t finish this alone,” Alpha Sebastian said. “Get another bowl. I’ll share with you p>
“I’m not hungry,” I immediately declined.
As if I wanted to share a bowl of noodles with him!
I’d come to visit him with genuine concern, only to be mocked for being presumptuous.
I’d carefully changed his bandages, only to be accused of being rough.
And now I’d made him food, only to be criticized yet again p>
Did he think I had no dignity at all?
My barely contained frustration must have been obvious, because Alpha Sebastian suddenly said, “I’m sorry p>
That caught me by surprise. My anger deflated somewhat. “If you can’t finish it, just leave the rest p>
“I meant about earlier,” he clarified.”Earlier p>
Which EARLIER was he referring to?
But Alpha Sebastian didn’t elaborate.
He simply lowered his head and began eating.
I watched as he silently, methodically finished the entire bowl of noodles.
When he was done, he wiped his mouth and looked up. “It was good p>
Fine, whatever.
I was tired of trying to decipher his thoughts. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back downstairs p>
I waited for his dismissal, but Alpha Sebastian just stared at me, making me wonder if I had something on my face.
Just as I was about to ask if he needed anything else, he finally spoke. “From now on, no matter where I am or who I’m with, you don’t need to deliberately avoid me. “
His eyes darkened, intense and consuming. “And if there’s something between us… I won’t let it become the subject of gossip p>
His expression was dead serious, his gaze so deep it felt like it might swallow me whole.