Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 128: Keeping her distance was a promise to herself. It was easier that way, easier to leave cleanly when the time came for them to part.

Noticing her silence, Chris tilted his head and teased, "You know, some woman practically threw herself at me earlier. You're really not the least bit jealous?"

Slowly, Maia pinched her fingers together, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Mr. Cooper, with looks like yours, who could blame them? You're better looking than half the male celebrities plastered all over billboards. Getting hit on seems like something that just comes with it."

Leaning back lazily against the seat, Chris let out a low, husky chuckle, his gaze holding a look that was hard to read. "I'll take that as a compliment." Before long, the car slowed to a stop outside the Elysium Apartments.

Neither said much as they got out, a heavy silence trailing between them. Chris unlocked the door with a quick press of his thumbprint. Maia followed quietly behind him.

As soon as the door swung open, Maia slipped in after him and carefully pulled it shut.

Darkness swallowed the apartment, and Chris made no move to reach for the light.

Reaching blindly for the switch, Maia barely brushed the wall when his tall figure closed in, trapping her against the door.

"Tell me, Maia… would you ever be tempted to hit on me?" His deep, seductive voice slipped through the darkness, brushing past her ear as his heavy breathing mixed with the cold scent of cedar and a hint of alcohol.

A jolt of panic rooted Maia to the spot, her heartbeat running wild. She could not understand why he refused to drop the subject.

Although she couldn't see much in the dark, she was acutely aware of how close Chris stood, the space between them thick with tension.

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Testing the waters, Maia said in a soft voice, "Mr. Cooper… have you been drinking?"

But instead of answering her, Chris pressed on, "I'm your husband. You saw me with another woman, and you feel nothing?"

Without warning, Maia's palms grew sweaty. She tried to push against Chris' chest, but her small hand was quickly caught. He leaned in closer, his face brushing so near to her ear that the faint touch of his stubble left a ticklish feeling.

"You said I'm handsome and well-built, so… are you sure you don't feel anything?"

Hearing his words, Maia felt her heartbeat tumble into a messy rhythm, no longer steady or sure.

Luckily, the darkness veiled the flustered expression that broke across her face. She steadied herself and answered in a faint but steady tone, "Mr. Cooper, you are clearly not sober."

Chris paused for a moment.

Afterward, he let go of her. Whatever warmth he had left behind disappeared just as quickly as his presence faded.

Maia slowly lifted her head. Her vision was beginning to adjust to the darkness. Through the wide glass windows, moonlight seeped into the living room, draping a gentle light over the man standing ahead.

Chris looked like a figure in a shadow painting - his figure flawless, sensual.

Maia fought to steady her breathing, sensing it was wrong to keep her gaze locked on him for much longer.

"Still hung up on him?" said Chris, catching Maia off guard with the suddenness of his question.

"What are you talking about?"

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