Chapter 672
“You don’t have to wash the dishes,” Aisha said, stepping firmly between Karmen and the sink. “I’ve already prepared the guest room for you. Go and get some rest.” She didn’t wait for an answer, gently peeling the rubber gloves from his hands and pulling them onto her own.
Karmen lingered for a moment, then stepped back and retreated from the kitchen. Instead of heading to his room, he sat on the living room sofa, waiting for her to finish.
He pulled out his phone, scanning the notifications on his lock screen. Most were trivial, but he opened a chat and sent a quick message to Carlos.
“Did you land safely p>
He didn’t expect an instant response, but the reply came back almost immediately.
“Yes. Thanks for asking p>
Karmen hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. He wanted to tell Carlos that he had actually taken the initiative this time, but he stopped himself. Carlos was already dealing with enough of his own problems, and Karmen didn’t want to burden him with his personal life right now.
“Good night,” Karmen typed, hitting send before sliding the phone back into his pocket.
“Why didn’t you go to bed?” Aisha’s voice startled him. He turned to find her standing at the edge of the living room, drying her hands.
“I was just about to,” Karmen replied, quickly rising to his feet to hide his hesitation.
“It’s awkward, isn’t it?” Aisha asked, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips as she took in the quiet tension of the house. Before he could respond, her expression turned serious. “By the way, I’m going to the police station with you in the morning p>
“You don’t have to do that,” Karmen stated firmly. He didn’t want her involved in whatever mess awaited him there.
“No,” Aisha countered. “I must go. And you taught me to face my problems and fight them like a brave person p>
Karmen nodded, a small smile breaking through his earlier hesitation. He decided not to argue with her further.
“Let’s go on our first date tomorrow. You’re off, right?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s an off day,” Aisha replied, her eyes brightening. “Where are you taking me p>
“I have a few places in mind. I’ll tell you in the morning,” Karmen answered, keeping the surprise intact. “Then, I’ll head to bed.” He gestured toward the guest room. “Good night p>
He brushed past her as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.
Aisha retreated to her own room. As she brushed her teeth, her mind replayed the day’s events, how Karmen had stepped in to save her, followed by the sudden honesty of him laying his heart bare. She rinsed her mouth and returned to her bedroom.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stared at the floor, lost in thought. ’I never even considered looking at another man,’ she contemplated. ’I don’t want to hurt Karmen. He’s too nice, too kind. Will I be able to give him what he truly desires p>
Then, she recalled it was for herself also. She took a deep breath and murmured to herself, “I will use this chance well p>
Casaio stepped out of the hot shower, a bathrobe wrapped around him and a dry towel draped over his head. He found Zilia still buried under the covers, clearly worn out from the previous day’s activities. Moving to the edge of the bed, he reached out to caress her hair before leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead.
Zilia groaned lightly, stirring as she felt his touch. “Cas,” she murmured, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“I woke you up. Sorry,” Casaio said, his voice quiet as he watched her prop herself up on her elbows.
Zilia glanced at the clock and gasped. “It’s 9:30! I slept so much,” she muttered.
“You were exhausted. Besides, we have the entire day ahead of us to have fun,” Casaio replied, his fingers lacing through her hair to soothe her. He pressed a kiss on Zilia’s lips when she pushed him away gently.
He pressed a kiss to her lips, but Zilia pushed him away gently, her face flushing.
“I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet,” she reminded him.
“You did last night,” Casaio countered softly. His hand gripped the back of her head, drawing her back in for a much deeper, fiercer kiss. With one hand, he caught her wrists and hooked them behind his neck, pinning her gently against the pillows. His other hand moved to her bare thigh, caressing the skin with slow, sensual pressure.
He withdrew his lips only to trail a line of hot kisses from her jawline down to the sensitive curve of her neck. His hand slid further up, tracing the line of her hipbone before settling firmly at her waist.
“Cas… I have to shower, too,” Zilia managed to say, her breath hitching as his proximity made it difficult to maintain her resolve.
“You can,” Casaio murmured against the sensitive skin of her collarbone. He nipped at the spot where his mark lay, suckling until soft moans filled the suite. The familiar, heady pull of his scent began to cloud Zilia’s mind, drowning out everything else.
Her own wolf rumbled deep beneath her chest in response, and with a sudden burst of energy, she flipped him onto his back. Her fingers moved quickly, finding the knots of his robe and pulling them open.
Casaio sat up, his powerful arms wrapping firmly around her lower back to steady her. In one fluid motion, he pulled her nightdress over her head and discarded it.
As her breasts were bared to the cool air of the room, he began to fondle them, his touch firm and possessive, before pulling her back into another deep kiss.
Her hand slid down his chest, fingers tracing the firm ridges of his pectorals before continuing over the tight, defined lines of his abdomen. A sharp, involuntary moan broke from her throat when Casaio closed his mouth over the erected peak of her left breast, sucking firmly while his thumb continued slow circles around the right nipple.
Suddenly, nausea hit Zilia hard. She clapped a hand over her mouth, the other pressing firmly against Casaio’s chest as if to steady herself, or push him away.
Casaio’s eyes snapped open. He saw the color drain from her face, felt the tension in her grip. Without a word he released her, stepping back just as she bolted for the bathroom. He followed right behind, close enough to catch her if she stumbled.
She barely made it to the sink before she retched, gripping the cold porcelain edge. When the worst passed, she leaned over, breathing hard, then twisted the tap on full. She cupped some in her hands, rinsed her mouth, and splashed her face.
Casaio stood right beside her.
“Zi, should I call a doctor? What the hell, why are you throwing up like that p>
“Just… Give me a second,” she rasped. She straightened slowly, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist.
He moved then, reaching into the cabinet and pulling out a white bathrobe. He draped it over her shoulders, tugging it closed in front so the belt hung loose. His hands lingered a moment on her arms.
“Your stomach must be messed up,” he said quietly. “The hotel has on-call doctors. Stay put. I’ll go down to the desk and get someone up here p>
He didn’t wait for an argument. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, then turned and headed out, leaving the bathroom door open behind him.