Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 241 The Rogue's Charm

[BONUS Chapter for reaching 800PS! Thank you all!]

=== ???? === Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire

[IRAYA]

I carefully approached him, my heart pounding as I got a closer look at the wounds scattered across his chest and shoulder.

Blood had smeared over his skin, but beneath it, I couldn't help but notice the taut muscles that flexed subtly as he moved.

Focus, Iraya, focus, I scolded myself, though my traitorous eyes kept darting to the defined lines of his torso. His tattoos only made it worse, the intricate designs winding across his skin like they were daring me to look longer.

Leander leaned back slightly, resting one arm on the bed to give me better access. "Well? Are you going to gawk all night, or are you going to do something about it?"

I swallowed hard, snapping my gaze back to the task at hand. "You're insufferable, you know that?" I muttered, opening the first-aid kit and grabbing the disinfectant.

He smirked, clearly enjoying my flustered state. "I get that a lot."

Rolling my eyes, I dabbed some antiseptic on a cotton pad and pressed it against the deep cut on his shoulder. He hissed through his teeth, and I glanced up in alarm.

I wanted to get even with him for teasing me, but it seemed like a reckless move—especially considering that if I caught him in the wrong mood, I might very well lose my head for it.

"Does it hurt?" I asked panic, my voice betraying a hint of concern.

"Of course it hurts," he grumbled. "It's a knife wound, not a scratch."

"Well, maybe if you avoided getting into fights, you wouldn't have to deal with this," I shot back, carefully cleaning the wound.

He didn't reply, just watched me with an unreadable expression as I worked. My hands trembled slightly as I applied the bandage, the warmth of his skin against my fingers sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I moved on to another gash across his chest, trying to ignore how the dim light highlighted every contour of his body. My eyes betrayed me again, flicking downward for just a second too long. When I realized what I'd done, I felt heat rush to my face.

"Do you always blush this much when you're helping someone?" Leander teased, his voice low and amused.

A knock sounded at the door. "Miss? Is everything alright in there?" one of my bodyguards called from outside.

Leander threw his head back and laughed, a deep, throaty sound that only irritated me further. "What's wrong? Haven't been kissed like that by your boyfriend before?"

My brain short-circuited. Blood rushed to my face so fast I was sure I'd combust. "W-what?!"

"Miss, should we come in?!" the bodyguards pressed, voices filled with concern.

"I'm talking about your boyfriend, the one who's been cheating on you right under your nose," Leander said lazily, leaning back on his elbows like he hadn't just dropped a bomb. "You're blind and deaf to it, huh? Or maybe just pretending not to notice."

"What?!" My voice cracked, a mix of confusion and fury.

"Miss, we're coming in!" the guards insisted.

"NO! Goddammit, I'm fine! Stay right there!" I hollered, trying to steady my breathing.

Leander smirked, popping a bottle of beer open with a flick of his thumb. "So, you can curse. You should let that wild side out more often. Who knows? Maybe then your boyfriend wouldn't cheat on you."

"That's none of your business," I snapped, my hands curling into fists.

"If I were you, I'd book the two of them a one-way trip to a crocodile-infested island," he said, his grin turning devilish. "Or better yet, drop them in the middle of a jungle. I've got a couple of tricks for handling people who cross me. Want to see a skull collection?"

"Absolutely not!" I squeaked, horror creeping into my tone. "You're insane!"

He laughed again, the sound echoing in my ears as I stormed to the door.

"Miss, are you alright?" one of the guards asked, eyeing me with concern as I stepped out.

"F-fine," I stammered, smoothing my hair and clearing my throat.

"What happened to your neck?" the other guard asked, eyes narrowing.

Instinctively, my hand shot up to cover the spot where his lips had been. "NOTHING! Let's go!"

I marched away as quickly as possible, ignoring the heat in my cheeks and the knowing smirk that followed me from the room.