Chapter <b>116 </b>
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
Charloote who had <b>been </b>sound asleep just moments <b>ago</b><b>, </b>suddenly let out a soft whimper. Her lips pouted, and she clutched at the sleeve of Sean’s shirt, refusing to
<b>let </b>go.
“Are <b>you </b>awake?” Sean leaned in slightly. He ced both hands on either side of her body and looked down at her.
Charlotte stirred in her <b>sleep</b>, lips barely parting as she mumbled, “Zac…”
Sean’s <b>eyes </b>darkened. He froze.
<b>Zac</b>?
She <b>was </b>dreaming about Zac Gibson?
Even drunk, she couldn’t <b>stop </b>thinking about that guy?
She had already blurted nonsense about his <b>so</b><b>–</b>called bedroom performance <b>issues </b>at the bar, and now she <b>was </b>mumbling another guy’s name?
He had almost forgotten what brought him to the bar in the first <b>ce</b><b>. </b>He had gone there <b>to </b>confront her.
She had no right to say something like that. She hadn’t even tried. How would she know he wasn’t capable?
Sean’s brows drew tight. A chill settled in his chest<b>. </b>
<b>“</b>Unbelievable. What a heartless little thing,” he thought.
He straightened up, looking down at her from above<b>, </b>jaw set.
<b>“</b>You’re still thinking about him?”
She couldn’t hear him, but he asked anyway<b>. </b>
The air was thick with jealousy<b>. </b>
It felt like someone had smashed a whole jar of <b>it </b>open in the room.
“Charlotte Riley<b>.</b><b>” </b>His voice dropped, low and tense<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>you’d </b>better think long and hard <b>before </b>you answer.‘
But <b>before </b>he could spiral any further, Charlotte shifted under the <b>covers</b><b>. </b>Hershes fluttered. She rolled <b>over</b><b>, </b>burying her face in the pillow and murmuring in <b>a </b><b>sweet</b><b>, </b><b>sleepy </b>voice<b>, </b><b>“</b>Snac<b>… </b>I want a snack…”
Sean <b>was </b><b>at </b>a loss for words.
A <b>snack</b>?
Ol<b>:. </b>Snack. Not <b>Zac</b><b>, </b>
<b>Sean </b>let <b>out </b>a breathless chuckle. All that tension vanished in an instant.
He leaned down <b>again</b><b>, </b>the edges of his voice softening with affection.
“Lottie, let <b>me </b><b>get </b>you cleaned up <b>first</b><b>, </b>okay? <b>I’ll </b>give you <b>a </b><b>snack </b>after your <b>bath</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>He </b>knew <b>she </b>liked to be clean. <b>If </b>she woke <b>up </b>in the morning still inst night’s clothes<b>, </b>reeking of alcohol, she would definitely be annoyed with <b>herself</b>. The room was quiet enough that he could hear her gentle breathing.
Charlotte <b>didn’t </b>respond. She was <bpletely </b><b>out</b>.
Sean waited a few seconds<b>, </b>then sighed and walked into the bathroom to <b>start </b>the bath. Once <b>the </b>tub was ready<b>, </b>he returned to the bed and carefully scooped her into his <b>arms</b>.
“Let’s <b>get </b>you cleaned up,” he whispered. <b>“</b><b>You’ll </b>feel better after.”
<b>He </b>gently undressed her and lowered her into the warm water.
The moment she felt it<b>, </b>Charlotte stirred<b>, </b>eyes half–open, still dazed.
<b>“</b>Sean<b>…</b>” she murmured.
Sean…
<b>“</b>Be good,” Sean said softly.
His movements were gentle and respectful. <b>He </b>wet her <b>hair</b><b>, </b>rubbed shampoo between his palms<b>, </b>then began massaging it into her <b>scalp</b>.
She leaned against <b>the </b>tub, her body finally rxing into the warmth. Her breathing slowed<b>, </b><b>and </b>a content little sigh <b>escaped </b><b>her </b><b>lips</b>.
<b>Once </b>she was washed and rinsed<b>, </b>Sean <b>dried </b>her off and <b>wrapped </b>her in a big fluffy <b>towel</b>. He carried her <b>back </b>to the bedroom, <b>sat </b>ber down, and began blow–drying
her hair.
<b>By </b>the time he was finished<b>, </b><b>Charlotte </b>had sobered <b>up </b>a little.
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
She tugged on his shirt cor. <b>“</b>Stay with me<b>,</b><b>” </b>she whispered.
<b>Sean </b>lowered his eyes and spoke gently. “Alright. <b>I’ll </b>stay.”
<b>“</b><b>Tell </b>me a story,<b>” </b>she mumbled, curling up beside him.
Sean gave in with a faint smile<b>. </b>“Okay.”
He pulled out <b>his </b>phone and searched for a few short bedtime stories. <b>His </b><b>voice </b>was low and warm <b>as </b>he read to her.
Little by little, Charlotte stopped fidgeting.
Her hand, which had been gripping his shirt, slowly slipped away.
Finally, she fell asleep.
Sean had originally nned to leave<b>. </b>But with her like this–drunk<b>, </b>exhausted,pletely vulnerable–he didn’t feel right walking away. He decided to stay the night.
He had no toiletries or spare clothes here, so he called the Jasper estate and asked a housekeeper <b>to </b>bring over his essentials.
After a quick shower in Charlotte’s guest bathroom, he stepped out and nced at the bed.
She <b>was </b>sound asleep.
Sean smiled, unable to help himself. His <b>eyes </b>softened as theynded on her peaceful<b>, </b>flushed face.
He stood there for a few quiet moments, just looking at her.
Then he walked over and gently tucked the nket around her.
Leaning down, he kissed her softly on the cheek.
“Good night,” he whispered.