Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 548

Madeline glanced at Julian, noticing how his face hadn’t softened the whole way back. She waved her hand in front of him. “Hey, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

Julian shifted his gaze to her, caught her hand, and held it gently in his palm. His voice was low and steady. “I keep thinking how close I came to losing you.”

Madeline blinked, understanding right away. She’d been scared, too. “It’s okay. I didn’t drink the tea, remember?”

He let out a heavy breath. “Thank God for that.”

She nodded, agreeing. They really had dodged a bullet. If things had gone wrong, she might not have made it through the night. Now, she couldn’t help being wary about everything she ate or drank. That woman was too good at poison. She’d tried more than once. Who knew if she’d try again?

When they reached the hotel, Madeline realized Julian was walking straight into her room like it was the most natural thing in the world. She stopped. “Aren’t you going to your own room?”

“I am.”

She pointed at the door. “Then why are you coming into mine?”

Julian caught her expression and lifted an eyebrow. “Where else would I go?”

Madeline’s face tensed. “It’s not like there aren’t any rooms left. Why do you have to stay with me? Miles, can you get your boss another room?”

Miles hesitated, glancing at Julian, who was already staring at him. His mind raced. “Sorry, Ms. Monroe. It’s late, and all the other rooms are booked. This is the last one.”

Madeline gave him a look that said, Yeah, right, like I’m buying that. “A hotel this big only has one room left?”

Miles shrank under Julian’s stare and tried again. “Yes, Ms. Monroe. Just this one. Maybe you can make do for tonight. I’ve got something to take care of, so if you need anything, just let me know.”

Before she could argue, Miles slipped away, leaving Madeline standing there with her mouth half open. The next thing she knew, Julian swept her up in his arms. She let out a tiny gasp, her arms flying around his neck on instinct.

Julian carried her inside, letting the door click shut behind them.

Julian laughed softly, seeing her so flustered. “I asked if you wanted to take a shower.”

She looked away, cheeks burning. “…Yeah.”

He started unbuttoning his shirt, slow and unhurried. That was her cue to escape. Madeline shot to her feet and rushed into the bathroom.

Inside, she took a deep breath in front of the mirror, pressing her hands to her cheeks. They felt hot to the touch. She shook her head, trying to push away the image of Julian undressing.

She’d packed for two nights, so she grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the shower.

Back in the living room, Julian leaned on the sofa, a faint smile playing at his lips as he watched her flee. He picked up a file, pretending to work.

The bathroom door was frosted glass. Julian tried to focus on his paperwork, but his eyes kept drifting to the blurry silhouette moving behind the door. He forced himself to read, but after fifteen minutes, he’d only managed to get through two lines.