Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Dan’s breath hitched as he pulled Jane swiftly into his embrace.

His hand fit snugly around her delicate waist while the other tenderly lifted her chin.

He looked into her eyes. Her eyes were as clear as a spring, and her pink lips were slightly open and

closed, like a silent temptation.

Dan felt a flame igniting within him, burning its way to his d ick.

Jane evaded his smoldering gaze, a blush spread across her cheeks, and her breathing quickened.

She could feel his burning chest, the steady throb of his heartbeat, his robust masculinity… She found

herself melting into him, yet just before his lips descended on hers, she lightly pushed him

away.

“No,” Jane said shyly, “I still have to cook.”

Dan halted, a shadow of disappointment passing through his deep-set eyes.

“Maybe tonight… Jane’s voice was barely audible, each word an effort that left her flushed.

“Tonight, don’t sleep on the couch. It’s not comfortable. Sleep in the bedroom instead.”

Dan was taken aback.

This might have been the most daring thing she had said….

Suppressing a chuckle, his thumb traced the red glow of her earlobe, his voice rough with anticipation

as he responded, “Okay.”

Following dinner, Dan made a beeline for the bathroom.

A routine shower usually took him ten minutes tops, but this time he was in there for almost an hour.

Jane cut up some fruit and watched a bit of TV, but he still hadn’t emerged. Only the occasional sound

of water trickling was proof he was still in there.

Jane blushed, retreated to the bedroom, changed into her nightgown, and sat anxiously on the edge

of the bed.

Her hands fidgeted, unsure of where to rest.

What would he do to her later? He was a big guy, muscular and stronger than the average man..

Jane bit her lip to suppress a giggle, and then blushed even harder at the scandalous thoughts. running

through her head, wishing she could bury her face in her chest.

Just then, the water in the bathroom abruptly stopped. Jane was jolted from her thoughts, gripping the

corner of her nightgown tightly.

Dan’s footsteps echoed, growing nearer.

Jane’s heart pounded wildly, her feet restlessly Intertwined, nervous yet with a touch of excitement.

She had only road about wedding nights in romance novels, daydreamed during her girlhood of those

enchanting scenes, fantasizing about marrying her true love and experiencing an unforgettable night.

Although this wasn’t their wedding night, It was her first time with Dan…..

Jane couldn’t help but let a sweet smile escape her lips.

She hoped… that everything would unfold as beautifully as it did in the novels, providing memories to

last a lifetime.

However, at that very moment, the jarring sound of the doorbell broke the silence.

Jane was taken aback. The moment she opened the door, she almost jumped out of her skin. There

stood Bailey, face covered in wounds and his whole body a mess. He burst into tears at the sight of

her.

“What on earth happened?” Jane hurriedly pulled him inside. ‘Did you get into a fight or something?”

“Jane…” Bailey’s eyes were puffy and red. He tried to speak, but his words were choked off by s obs.

Jane was so anxious, forgetting all about Dan. It wasn’t until Dan gave a soft cough that she came.

back to reality, slowly turning around to see his furrowed brows and puzzled expression. Her heart sk

ipped a beat.

Now she was Fiona. Fiona didn’t have a brother…

“This is… my cousin, she managed to smile and surreptitiously gave Bailey a meaningful look.

Bailey paused, looking at Dan, and quickly picked up what Jane meant. The man before him was the

one her sister had married instead of Fiona… So, the man didn’t know about him yet. He mustn’t mess

things up for his sister.

“Bailey,” Jane said in a low voice, “He is your brother-in-law, Dan!”

Obediently, Bailey greeted, “Hello, Dan,” and promptly hid behind Jane.

He watched Dan timidly. He couldn’t shake off this feeling of intimidating authority radiating from the

man. How could his sister live with such a daunting figure every day without feeling oppressed?

Dan merely nodded and, wordlessly, retrieved a first-aid kit. He made Bailey sit on the couch and

started tending to his wounds.

Bailey was seriously hurt, with a swollen red patch on his forehead and a large skin tear on his leg. The

wound had fused with his trousers, and every movement was a living agony.

Despite Dan’s tender touch, Bailey’s face turned pale from the pain, his forehead beading with sweat.

“What happened? Who did this to you?” Tears welled up in Jane’s eyes. “Did you tick someone off?”

Bailey remained tight-lipped, not uttering a word.

Frustrated, Jane pressed him with more questions, but no matter how much she asked, Bailey held

his silence.

Dan patted her shoulder, shooting her a reassuring glance, and then guided Bailey to the balcony. Jane

watched them close the sliding door behind them. After a while, Bailey appeared to be talking to Dan,

tears trickling down his cheeks.

When Dan returned, Jane rushed over, asking, “What’s the matter?”

“He’s been bullied at school,” Dan’s face was stone-cold, a hint of fury creased between his brows.

Jane’s heart ached, and she felt a surge of tears welling up again.

“A group of older students thought your brother was an easy target. They’ve been harassing him on

Chapter 35

his way to and from school, demanding money. If Bailey doesn’t have any, they don’t hesitate to

rough him up.” Dan bit his lip. “Just now, when they didn’t get any money from him, they grabbed his

hair and smashed his head against the wall. That’s why his head wound is severe.”

Jane gasped. She wanted to check on him on the balcony, but Dan held her back.

“Give him a minute,” he murmured. “Boys at his age have a lot of pride. They don’t like others seeing

them in such states. Let him calm down a bit.”

“Right,” Jane nodded, feeling a bit puzzled. Why did her brother confide in this man he’d only just met,

rather than his own sister?

As if reading her thoughts, Dan smiled and said, “Some things are easier said between men.”

Jane shook her head. “He’s just sixteen, hardly a man!”

“Don’t underestimate him, Dan chuckled. “When I was sixteen, I was already…”

He cut himself off mid-sentence.

Jane paused, then looked up at him, “You were already what?”

O(5)