Chapter 139

Vivian Bennett jolted upright in bed.

Her head throbbed with a heavy, dizzying ache.

She stumbled unsteadily toward the door.

She opened it.

Liam Sullivan's tall, imposing figure filled the doorway.

Vivian froze instantly.

"How are you here again?" Her voice was a hoarse, barely audible rasp.

Liam studied her pale face.

His brow furrowed deeply.

"Your fever hasn't broken?"

Vivian leaned weakly against the doorframe.

She coughed several times.

Her entire body felt limp and powerless.

She lacked the energy to engage with him.

She turned and swayed unsteadily back toward the bedroom.

Liam followed closely behind.

He closed the door with a soft click.

"Did you take your medicine?" His voice was low and insistent.

Vivian had no strength left to answer.

The room spun around her.

Her body alternated between chills and feverish heat.

The discomfort was overwhelming, pushing her toward unconsciousness.

She staggered and collapsed onto the bed.

She pulled the blankets tightly around herself.

Liam watched her dismissive attitude.

An inexplicable anger flared within him.

Then his gaze fell on the fever reducer sitting on the nightstand.

His anger evaporated instantly.

It was replaced by sharp concern.

"The fever returned?" His tone softened noticeably.

Clear worry laced his words.

Vivian curled into a ball beneath the covers.

Her teeth chattered from the cold.

She had no capacity to respond to him.

Suddenly.

The covers turned cold.

The blankets were ripped away from her.

Vivian turned her head in fury.

She was met with the unexpected sight of a firm, muscular male torso.

Her eyes widened in shock.

She almost believed the fever was causing hallucinations.

"You... you..."

She stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Her gaze remained fixed on Liam's bare chest.

Her breath caught in her throat.

What was he doing?

Was he really not going to leave her alone, even in this state?

Liam climbed onto the bed without a word.

His strong arms encircled her waist.

His scorching lips met her feverish skin.

His hands deftly began removing her sleepwear.

"Let me go!" Vivian struggled in panic.

She pushed against him with all her remaining strength.

Liam remained immovable as a mountain.

He continued kissing her.

Within moments, he had stripped her completely.

Vivian trembled with fear.

"Stop! Please stop!" she cried out, her voice breaking.

Her fists beat weakly against his solid chest.

But her illness had left her too weak.

Her efforts were like faint scratches to him.

They only served to ignite his desire further.

His initial intention had been to use his body heat to reduce her fever.

Now her struggles had awakened a burning hunger within him.

Liam abruptly stilled.

His dark eyes blazed with intense fire.

"I'm not that much of a beast." His voice was rough.

He braced his hands on either side of her head.

He looked down at her from his dominant position.

Vivian managed a weak, scoffing sound. "Then let me go."

What was the point of pinning her down like this?

How could he claim he wasn't acting like a beast?