Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 366: Pattie watched, her gaze inadvertently drawn to the movement of his Adam's apple and the open collar of his shirt. His unkempt, disheveled appearance tonight had an undeniably appealing edge. Pattie took a deep breath, trying to calm the unexpected stirrings in her heart, and took a small sip of her drink. As Roland set his glass down heavily on the table, he turned sharply, his intense eyes fixing on Pattie. Before she could even respond, Roland reached out and grasped her wrist firmly.

With a look of confusion clouding his features, Roland pressed on, "Does that handsome guy have something that made her take notice? Tell me. Between me and him, who's more handsome?" Pattie was taken aback. "What?" Roland leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I need to know. Between me and him, who do you think is better looking?" Caught in a dilemma, Pattie weighed Chris' looks against Roland's. Finally, she responded, "Well... that guy is certainly attractive, but you're on another level. You're the top lawyer at Zenith Legal in Drakmire!

How could some kept man measure up to you?" This was Pattie's honest thought. Sure, when it came to pure looks, Roland might not outshine Chris, but in her eyes, a man's status and power were the real charm. And Pattie had always had a soft spot for the high IQ and elite aura that came with being a lawyer. Roland's expression brightened slightly at her words, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He tightened his grip on her wrist and leaned closer, probing further, "Then who has the better physique? Who do you think can please women better?" Pattie was at a loss for words.

She had never seen either man without a shirt, much less in any state of undress. Staring at Roland with a mix of concern and exasperation, she finally said, "Roland, you're drunk." g⍶ν﹐ⅽ But Roland's gaze was intense and unyielding as he pulled her even closer. His breath was warm against her ear as he whispered pleadingly, "Pattie, please. Just tell me." His vulnerable plea, so far from his usual reserved and composed demeanor, set Pattie's heart racing. Overwhelmed by the unusual sight of such a composed man displaying vulnerability, Pattie found herself unnerved.

Stammering, she replied, "I... I haven't touched him. I haven't touched you either. How would I know?" Roland paused, considering her words, then seemed to accept her logic. Suddenly, without any warning, he took Pattie's hand and placed it under his shirt, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Pattie's cheeks burned with color. For someone who navigated the complexities of dating with ease, this was the first time she found herself genuinely caught off guard by a man's flirtation. Pattie took a deep breath. It wasn't as if she had instigated this. He had made the first move...

So Pattie decided to go along with the unexpected and enjoy the moment. Her fingers brushed lightly against his skin. Internally, she marveled, "Wow... eight-pack abs, a tight waist, all toned and lean. He's sheer perfection." Pattie's hand wandered upward, exploring the contours of his hard muscles, tracing the lines of his physique. This was a new experience for Roland. As her touch lingered, his body temperature rose, his breathing quickened, and he fixed his gaze on Pattie with a smoldering intensity. For Pattie, the moment was surreal.

How was it possible for him to fit her ideal so perfectly? . . .