Chapter 318

The hair dryer roared to life.

A blast of warm air hit her face.

Vivian Bennett flinched backward like a startled kitten, then immediately nestled back into his embrace.

A faint smile touched Liam Sullivan's lips.

He redirected the airflow away from her face and began meticulously drying her damp hair.

His deep voice was almost lost in the drone of the dryer. "Don't fall asleep in the bathtub next time."

Vivian hummed in vague agreement, her thoughts already drifting away.

After one side was dried, he commanded softly, "Turn around."

She pressed her lips together in a small smile and obediently turned her back to him.

Her hands still clutched the towel to her chest, leaving the smooth expanse of her back completely exposed to him.

Wet strands of hair clung to her graceful shoulders and neck, framing her delicate, pronounced shoulder blades.

The faint scar near the small of her back was just visible.

It had long lost its harsh appearance, gradually blending into her skin tone.

Liam's gaze lingered there for a moment, his eyes darkening.

He gathered the wet hair from her other side.

Vivian cooperatively swept her hair over her shoulder, revealing her slender nape.

The small mole on the side of her neck was particularly noticeable.

It was one of his favorite places to linger.

"Ah..." she suddenly gasped softly.

Liam immediately switched off the dryer. "What's wrong?"

He looked up and saw her hair had tangled around her earring.

His movements had accidentally caught on the jewelry.

Vivian started to raise her hand.

"Don't move," he murmured, stopping her.

His cool fingertips gently brushed against her earlobe.

His warm breath enveloped her from behind.

Liam looked down, carefully pinching the delicate earring.

With a slight twist, he freed it from the tangle.

As the earring came loose, Vivian's heart skipped a beat.

Staring at the wall illuminated by the light, she suddenly remembered her dream from earlier.

"You didn't take these off before bathing?"

He set the earring aside, his tone unreadable.

Vivian's lips curved. "I forgot after falling asleep. Why didn't you check before drying my hair?"

He chuckled low in his throat.

His warm breath brushed against the back of her ear, carrying a magnetic, teasing quality.

The sound of the hair dryer started again.

It drowned out his soft laughter and masked her suddenly racing heartbeat.

Any further words were lost in the noise.

After a long silence, she spoke again.

"Liam, I had a dream."

He played with her hair, his tone casual. "Hmm?"

"Not a good one."

Her eyelashes cast faint shadows as she lowered her gaze.

"Good," he murmured, his fingers twining in her hair. His voice was gentle but held a warning. "Otherwise, you know the consequences for sleeping so long in the tub."

......

He still seemed concerned about her dream.

A moment later, he asked quietly, "What did you dream about?"