Chapter 74 Could You Lend
Me A Hand
“My nose,” Rachel said, the pain sharp and sudden, forcing the words out.
Brian leaned in closer to inspect her nose, noticing the evident redness.
“Should I try to ease it for you?”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Rachel said.
“Or maybe you’d prefer to bump your head at my nose to balance things out?”
Only then did Rachel realize their close proximity on the sofa, their bodies entangled in an unexpectedly intimate embrace.
With Brian hovering above her, his breath lightly caressing her face, each whisper seemed to amplify her sensations.
Normally, such closeness would cause her cheeks to redden, her heart to flutter, and
perhaps even compel her to hold onto him. However, at this moment, her instinct was to escape, to create as much space between them as she could.
“You’re squashing me!” Rachel complained.
Brian quickly rose to his feet.
In the subdued lighting, his stature appeared both tall and imposing as he settled next
to her.
Freed from his weight, Rachel inhaled deeply. “It’s late. You should head back and rest,” she said. “Moreover, if Tracy catches you here, you’ll end up having to calm her down.”
Brian started to justify himself, saying, “Why must I…”
Rachel interrupted him sharply, “Just leave. I don’t want to hear it right now.”
“Okay, I won’t say anything. I’ll just stay until you’re asleep, then I’ll go.”
“I can’t possibly sleep with you here,” Rachel retorted.
0.0%
00:00
Chapter 74 Could You Lend Me A Hand
With a sigh, Brian conceded and prepared to leave.
His departure was slow, his gait hampered by his injured leg, a noticeable limp replacing his typically graceful movements.
to
Watching him struggle so uncharacteristically, Rachel had to
soften.
“mind herself not to
Why should she care about his condition? Feeling pity was not an option for her.
As Brian approached the door, he stopped and looked back.
His eyes found Rachel, snug under the blanket, her eyes vivid against the low light.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Rachel turned away sharply, presenting him only
with her back.
Brian held back the words he had intended to say.
As he neared the door, her voice halted him. “Wait!” Her voice remained gentle and
soothing.
A glimmer of hope shone in his eyes as he turned back.
Rachel rose, slid off the blanket, and approached him.
Her tone was calm. “Could you possibly delay your return until after tomorrow?”
“Of course,” he responded instantly, assuming she wanted him to stay longer.
“Jeffrey would like to have dinner with you tomorrow. Can you make it?”
A shadow crossed Brian’s face at her words.
His reply came in a subdued tone. “Is that the reason you want me to stay?”
Rachel averted her eyes. “I understand you’re planning to leave with Tracy. If it’s too much trouble, never mind. I’ll manage on my own.” With those words, she turned away, bracing herself for his departure.
However, Brian seized her wrist. “I haven’t refused. Do I need to bring anything for dinner? Any particular considerations?”
At his words, Rachel experienced a wave of relief.
Without his agree, she dreaded the thought of facing Jeffrey alone the next day. “I’ll
20.3%
00:00
Chapter 74 Could You Lend Me A Hand
come to you tomorrow. What time suits you?”
“Anytime is fine.”
A crease formed on Rachel’s brow. Tracy had been attentively looking after him.
The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with Tracy.
“Could we make it early morning?”
She reasoned that if they met early in the morning, Tracy might still be at the hotel. This way, they could steer clear of each other.
It wasn’t that she feared Tracy. But the recent ordeals had left her drained and too weary to engage in any further conflicts.
“That’s fine.”
Once Brian had departed, Rachel retreated to the sofa.
As she tucked her arm under the blanket, a cold sensation touched the back of her
hand.
Lifting her hand, she saw nothing amiss, yet the distinct aroma of ointment was
unmistakable.
Her eyes landed on the ointment tube on the table, realizing that Brian had applied it
when she was unaware.
Her feelings were mixed. Did Brian genuinely care for her? Or was she reading too
much into it?
The second reason was much more unlikely. It seemed more likely that he felt guilty about the recent incident involving Jeffrey. His actions were probably driven by pity.
The following morning, after getting ready, Rachel promptly made her way to his place.
Upon her knock, Brian’s voice invited her inside, saying, “Come in.”
As she entered, she was unexpectedly greeted by the sight of him dressing.
He was halfway through donning a shirt; one arm was sleeved, the other still free.
His chest was partially visible, with the black buttons straining against the fabric.
Rachel’s gaze instinctively fixed on his toned, muscular chest and the smooth tan of
his athletic skin.
00:01
Chapter 74 Could You Lend Me A Hand
Aware of his good looks, she nonetheless found the timing of their encounter particularly awkward.
She abruptly turned her back to him.
“Please finish dressing. I’ll wait outside until you’re ready.”
“Okay.”
However, she found herself waiting longer than expected.
Growing restless, she called out, “Brian…”
“Could you lend me a hand?” His voice floated from within.
“With what exactly?”
“It’s the sleeve; I can’t manage to get my arm through.”
Casting a glance at her watch, Rachel hesitated but eventually re–entered the room.
Aware that he was not fully clothed, she deliberately kept her gaze lowered to the floor, avoiding any eye contact or inadvertent glances at his physique.
“My right arm tends to weaken after waking up. I’ve been struggling to maneuver it into the sleeve comfortably,” he explained.
“Okay.” Rachel approached his right side to assist with the sleeve.
Due to the difference in their heights, she had to stretch onto her tiptoes.
In her effort to reach, she overextended and began to tip over.
“Careful!” In a swift motion, Brian caught her, pulling her safely against him.
Their bodies momentarily close, his nose softly brushed against hers.
“Is your nose still hurt?” he inquired, lightly rubbing his nose against hers with a look
of concern.
Rachel felt momentarily stunned by the gesture.
A draft from the door quickly, brought her back to reality.
She stepped away swiftly, creating some space between them. “No, it’s healed. Are you able to fasten the rest of your buttons on your own?”
68.2%
00:01
Chapter 74 Could You Lend Me A Hand
Her question inadvertently left an opening for him.
“That’s a bit difficult,” he responded.
Rachel was momentarily at a loss for words.
But she recovered quickly this time. “You know, the hospital has aides. With your resources, I’m sure you could easily find someone willing to assist for a fee.”
Brian’s expression hardened.
“Never mind, I’ll manage by myself,” he responded tersely.
“Fine.”
Moments later, he said, “All set.”
However, when Rachel turned back to face him, the sight caught her off guard.
“What’s the issue?” Brian looked confused, noticing her intense gaze.
Rachel’s anger bubbled over. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
