Chapter 30

"Come in."

Jeremy's voice was as cold and commanding as ever.

Kayla stepped inside, stopping a few feet from his desk. "I heard you're having an allergic reaction. Is it serious?"

Jeremy let out a soft scoff. "So you do care about me."

Kayla offered a polite smile. "Of course. You're family, after all."

Jeremy studied her closely-sweet face, the picture of innocence. But he knew better. She wore kindness like a mask, saving her edge for when it counted.

Suddenly, his arm beganto itch violently, and he reached to scratch it.

"Don't!" Kayla stepped forward instinctively.

Back when she was a kid, she'd had the same kind of reaction.

"Don't scratch-it'll spread and could get infected. Just wait for the ointment."

Jeremy clenched his jaw and resisted the urge, forcing himself to endure the irritation.

What triggered this?

Kayla's mind raced. Then it hit her-the coffee Zoe had given her earlier.

Jeremy had sipped the coffee. That was all it took.

Same dirty tricks after all these years, Kayla thought bitterly.

If she'd taken that cup, she'd be the one scratching right now. "Did you drink that coffee earlier?" Kayla asked suddenly.

"Just a sip," Jeremy replied.

Just a sip-and already a reaction. A whole cup could've sent him to the ER.

Kayla's expression darkened.

Jeremy noticed. "What are you thinking?"

Kayla shook her head quickly. "Nothing."

It was no use accusing Zoe-not without proof. Jeremy would think she was just stirring trouble.

At that moment, Edwin returned with the ointment. "Mr. Graham, the doctor said it's a skin allergy. You'll need to apply the ointment right away."

Edwin began to help but was interrupted by a phone call. After a quick exchange, he turned back. "Sir, Mr.Newton is leaving. Should we go see him off?"

Jeremy nodded. "You go. I'll stay."

"But the ointment..."

"She can handle it," Jeremy said, glancing at Kayla.

Edwin hesitated, then left.

Kayla pointed at herself. "Me? You want me to apply your ointment?"

Without answering, Jeremy removed his jacket and unbuttoned his black shirt.

Towering at six-foot-three, he revealed a chiseled frame-broad shoulders, a defined chest, lean muscle taut beneath his skin.

Kayla froze.Her ears turned red. Then Jeremy turned, baring his sculpted back.

Her heart skipped. Her cheeks flamed. And a warm drip landed on her lip.

She touched her face and paled. A nosebleed? Seriously?

This was so embarrassing. She couldn't even handle his back without bleeding.

"What's the holdup?" Jeremy, noticing her hesitation, began to glance over his shoulder.

"I'm doing it now!" Kayla blurted out, pressing a hand to his back to keep him from turning.

She grabbed a tissue, wiped her nose quickly, and forced herself to focus.

Her cool hand met his warm skin, and Jeremy tensed. A strange electricity passed between them.

He shut his eyes and exhaled slowly. "Just get it over with."

"Right...here goes," she muttered.

Kayla opened the tube and began applying the ointment with gentle strokes.

In the soft light, their silhouettes merged-his tall, strong frame and her smaller, delicate form casting one shadow on the wall.

That night-the one she tried not to think about-had been too dark to see him clearly. But now,his perfection was impossible to ignore.

Heat bloomed in her cheeks again.

Jeremy, for his part, was trying to ignore the soft scent of her perfume-subtle but intoxicating.

When Kayla moved around to his front, still flustered, she said, "Could you close your eyes?"

With a reluctant sigh, Jeremy shut his eyes. Kayla's hands moved across his chest, light as feathers.

The door burst open.

"Jeremy, where have you been? Hiding out in-whoa." Dewitt stopped in his tracks.

Kayla,crouched in front of Jeremy, jumped and dropped the tube. "Sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt. I'll come back." Dewitt scratched his nose, already turning to leave.

"Wait, why don't you help Jeremy with this?" Kayla stood, blushing furiously. Without waiting for a response,she darted out of the room.

Dewitt blinked, watching her disappear.

Jeremy opened his eyes, catching Dewitt's grin. "What's so funny?"

Dewitt teased, "Smooth, Jeremy. Flirting with your nephew's wife? You scared her out the door."

"I asked her to help apply some ointment," Jeremy said, casually buttoning his shirt.

Dewitt raised an eyebrow. "You could've asked anyone. She's Liam's wife."

"You're overthinking. It was just an ointment. Try finding a hobby."

As Jeremy finished dressing and moved to leave, Dewitt called out with a teasing lilt, "Still itching? Want me to call Kayla back?"

Jeremy shot him a warning glare."Get lost."

Dewitt chuckled, leaning against the desk, arms folded. "Looks like the ice king's finally melting."