Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 267: "What are you staring at?" Chris' smooth voice echoed above her. Taken by surprise, Maia quickly lifted her gaze, feeling caught off guard.

For a split second, she felt utterly embarrassed, but she quickly composed herself and said stiffly, "Nothing. I wasn't staring at anything."

No sooner had the words escaped her mouth than Chris reached out and took her hand in his. The warmth radiating from his palm sent a thrill shooting up Maia's spine.

Feeling puzzled, she glanced up at Chris' face and found his dark eyes sparkling with mischief, a sly grin on his lips. He appeared completely at ease, almost mischievous, yet there was an undeniable allure in the way he gazed at her. It was obvious that he wasn't buying her story for a second.

Before Maia had a chance to respond, Chris had already placed her hand on his stomach, right over his shirt. His deep voice had a slight huskiness to it.

"I have a hunch you weren't just taking a casual glance… Maybe you were eyeing something in particular?" He slowly guided Maia's hand downward.

Chris flashed a mischievous grin and said, "Or perhaps… Here…"

Maia's cheeks turned a deep red as if they had been set on fire. Her fingers jerked back as though they had been zapped, and her heart raced, swept up in a storm of emotions.

This guy was simply an irresistible charmer!

Maia had never experienced anything like this before. Unable to resist the overwhelming tension, she turned, wanting to leave in a flustered rush.

However, Chris remained relaxed, his eyes fixed on her crimson cheeks. With a playful laugh, he said, "Next time, if you want to look, just say it. Don't sneak around. I'm your husband - everything is fair game for you."

Maia felt her heart leap into her throat. The woman, usually composed, found herself revealing a rare, girlish shyness.

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Chris watched her, captivated, as if he were enjoying this new side of her that he had never noticed before - her bashfulness.

The atmosphere between them became subtly electrified, thick with a sense of awkwardness.

Resolute in her attempt to steady herself, Maia inhaled deeply. Instead of getting lost in her thoughts, she chose to tackle the issue directly. She turned to Chris and asked, "Mr. Cooper, can you clarify - did something happen between us last night?"

He let out a sigh, looking helpless. "You genuinely don't remember anything?"

Maia shook her head in response.

It wasn't that she had completely lost her memory; it was more about her uncertainty.

"Would you like me to help refresh your memory?"

Chris moved closer, lowering his voice to a quiet whisper.

He kept a careful distance, never actually coming into contact with her, yet his closeness felt almost too intense to bear. His movements were fluid, inching ever so slightly nearer to Maia.

"Does this jog your memory at all?" His voice was low and soothing, and his warm breath grazed her ear. The cool, fresh scent of cedar filled the air around her.

The sensation felt familiar and sent a shiver coursing through Maia. Every hair on her body seemed to stand on end. Her skin heated up, and her fingertips curled ever so slightly as vague, fragmented images flashed in her mind - intimate moments she couldn't quite piece together.

Maia took a quick breath, trying hard to steady her nerves.

She stepped back, looking Chris in the eye with determination. "Mr. Cooper, the situation last night was strange. If I crossed any lines… I'm truly sorry."

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