Josie tilted her head back, snatching the half- smoked cigarette from him. He took a deep puff, and his mind became significantly clearer.
“Still feeling uncomfortable?” Dexter asked, tracing her tattoo at her waist with his fingertips.
Josie glared at him. “What do you think?”
She felt like a fool for ever thinking that Dexter was in poor health. Why did I ever doubt him?
She gently freed herself from Dexter’s embrace, picking up her shirt that had fallen to the floor and putting it on. Barefoot, she walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing distantly out of it, lost in thought.
Dawn was about to break.
In truth, she wasn’t quite sure why she was going with the flow. It seemed that no matter how much she resisted mentally, her body couldn’t deny this man.
“Dawn is breaking.” His voice suddenly fell upon her ears. Unbeknownst to her, he had moved behind her. His large hands hovered behind her, his bulging veins exuding a masculine aura.
Josie stared intently, remarking, “Dexter, if you ever go bankrupt, you’d probably do just fine prostituting yourself.”
He chuckled lightly, a sense of contentment washing over him. “You’ve said that before.”
Josie broke free from him, picking up the rest of her clothes from the floor. She retreated into the bathroom. When she reemerged, she was fully dressed, her disheveled appearance replaced with a neat one. The red marks on her neck were now hidden beneath her dark hair.
“I’m planning to take on the Olsen family project in collaboration with Juliette. During this time, I’d prefer not to let her know about our past relationship.”
How heartless indeed.
Leaning lazily against the door, Dexter asked, “What about our relationship now?”
Josie glared at him. “Let’s just act like strangers.”
He was displeased, taking her hand and lightly toying with it. “She and I are just friends,” he reiterated.
“Stop pretending. Can’t you see she’s into you?”
Dexter didn’t express agreement or disagreement. Yet, in his eyes, there was only the woman before him. Sometimes, he thought, if it was possible, he would love to have her by his side at all times.
Josie withdrew her hand. “I’m leaving now.”
Once it was over, they turned their back on him, leaving Dexter with the unsettling feeling of being used and discarded.
He pulled her back into his arms with a swift motion, unwilling to let go, and even playfully whined, “I don’t want to let you go.”
Josie knew full well what his voice signified.
“Dexter, you brute!”
Once Dexter had her, he held nothing back, displaying an uninhibited demeanor. He held her tightly. “Do you know what I like about you the most?”
“What?”
“You seem so serious, but actually…” The last words were whispered into her ear, causing Josie’s body to flush with heat. She abruptly pushed him away. “I’m really leaving now!”
The door to the lounge swung open, releasing a wave of languid scent.
Grape had just woken up and burst out of the small room, bumping into Josie. Surprised and delighted, Josie squatted down. “Grape? You’re awake!”
“Mommy, I miss you so much.” Grape had been nestled in her arms for quite some time before she finally noticed Dexter, who had been watching them from behind all along.
Dexter flashed her a tender smile. “It’s not ideal to always call you Grape. Once we’re back in our homeland, we need to register you officially. Let’s pick a name for you.”
“Isn’t my name Grape?”
Josie thoughtfully tied Grape’s hair up for her.
When it came to choosing a name, it involved a lot of considerations, and Josie still didn’t know what to do about it.
“Let’s talk about it later.”
“Mommy, when can I be with you?” Grape asked in her adorable voice.
Josie felt a pang of heartache, but she was too conspicuous in Wavery. She didn’t want the Olsen family to find out. “I’m sorry, Grape. You might have to stay with Daddy for a while,” she said.
“Will you come to see me often?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll stay with Daddy!” Her response was exceptionally brisk, leaving Josie torn between laughter and tears. “Why are you so thrilled?”
“Because with me here, you and Daddy will see each other often!”
