?Chapter 1812:


    “Did you hear me? Promise me!” Aileen demanded, eyes narrowing with frustration.


    With practiced ease, Peyton freed one hand and gently removed hers from his mouth. “You’re blocking my mouth,” he pointed out. “And please move back. You’re pressing too hard—I can hardly breathe.”


    Aileen’s cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly retreated to her side of the couch.


    Peyton casually adjusted his cor before leaning toward her, his voice dropping to a confidential whisper. “Clive happens to be a close friend of mine. Do you understand what it would mean if you had feelings for him?”


    Aileen’s embarrassment gave way to curiosity. “What would it mean?”


    A yful smile curved Peyton’s lips. “It means he could never pursue you because you’ve been promised to me. Otherwise, our friendship would bepromised.”


    The color drained from Aileen’s face.


    “You…” she whispered, her voice tinged with apprehension.


    “Don’t worry. For that scenario to unfold, Clive would need to reciprocate your feelings. If he doesn’t, there’s no cause for conflict between us,” Peyton reassured her, his tone softening.


    Aileen considered his words carefully before asking in a hesitant voice, “So… do you like me?”


    Peyton’s smile froze. The question had caught him off guard. After a moment’s reflection, he answered candidly, “Honestly, I’m not certain if I like you. But I do feel something toward you.”


    Aileen found herself appreciating his sincerity. At least he wasn’t fabricating derations of love. They had only encountered each other twice—iming deeper feelings at this stage would have seemed disingenuous.


    After a thoughtful pause, she offered awkwardly, “I didn’t intend to create problems. I wouldn’t want you and Clive to quarrel because of me.”


    Peyton responded with mild exasperation, “Don’t be so narcissistic. You have no confirmation that Clive even likes you, yet you’re already envisioning us fighting over you?”


    Aileen’s tongue darted out yfully as she grinned. “Just kidding.”


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    “It’s okay,” Peyton replied, adjusting his gold-rimmed sses with a practiced motion. He leaned closer, drawing in a deep breath near the curve of Aileen’s neck. “Mmm, that fragrance you’re wearing captivates me. What is it?”


    Aileen remained motionless, acutely aware of his warm breath caressing her skin and the subtle notes of his masculine scent. An unfamiliar tingling sensation cascaded through her body—a feeling she found surprisingly pleasant.


    Peyton inhaled once more, his curiosity genuine. “I’m serious—I need to acquire some of that for myself.”<fnf0ef> This text is hosted at find?novel</fnf0ef>


    Aileen’s gaze flickered nervously around the room. “I haven’t applied any fragrance today.”


    Peyton stiffened, his expression frozen as he studied her face in stunned silence.


    “You, however,” Aileen remarked, breaking the ufortable quiet, “carry the unmistakable aroma of antiseptic.”


    “Part of being a doctor,” Peyton exined, his tone matter-of-fact. “It follows me everywhere. I even showered beforeing over. How can your senses still detect it?”


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