Bound to Him

fr

yes-his sculpted face looked even more st

ed this moment when

he'd done similar things before. But this time, she was tak

telling others she was thirty when she was actually twenty-two-she

s flickered

hold me. Let's get one thing straight-you don't even qualify to fantasize about me! So, wh

y words shattered whatever had

blin

just brush he

think you've misunderstood me. I was just a little

? Sh

ped with sarcasm as he ra

in here delibera

ed, barely hiding

ason isn't feeling well. That'

that?" Henry scoffed, h

dful of days. So don't act like you've

re was no reasoning with this man. No matte

o it," she s

h one hand gently steadying his side, she

immediately, discomfort

f her head. Her thick bangs concealed her expression, but from this angle,

ward Mason that she

this woman

oo youthful t

utiful with soft and lumi

, clean and unassuming. Not the artificial sweetness of perfume, but

, so gentle that for a second he ima

ely shook the thought away, disturbed by how h

e said, "Since you're thirty, I assume y

replied

lower half. Once she'd done her part,

"With your lack of fashion sense, I can't

a said calmly, her e

erence ann

ted her to defend herself or at least show a trace of emo

said dismissively. "I'll

throom and headed downsta

shattered pieces of a cup from the bedr

he re-entered

e toilet, his pajama pants s

ting his side as she helped him pull up his pan

cally handled, Henry didn't protest,

he bed and made sure he was settl

p during the night, you'll say no. I don't want

greed softly, bitin

,' she mused silently. 'His ego

eclared suddenly. "G

out a so

es tonight. Drinking this much is exactly why

ater intake can lead to bloating, whic

r excuse? You're trying to get out of helping me in the middle

I only brought it up for your own benefit. Frequent

clearly u

child, even a dry mouth made me miserable. I can't sleep unless it

ment, she truly didn'

of water addiction?

idered cutting back

back immediatel

ed down the stairs to fetch

ed to find a solution fast. Being awake most nights was starting to wear her

she came downstairs, br

looked extravagant, with an assortment of both traditional a

le Mr. Carter's breakfast, Mia c

t, gesturing toward a portion that had b

gratefully, taking her tray

hearted woman in

ed soft-boiled eggs, toasted bread,

wink of sleep, the sight of real food

til Chloe brought a bowl of warm porridge to Henry and began spoon-feedi

e best of moods. He managed only half a bowl of porridge

s eye, he noticed Mia e

nthusiasm, taking hearty bites of sweetcorn a

of contentment - too mu

ting,' Henr

e drummed his fingers against his lap impatient