Chapter 624

The next second, Vincent turned his face sharply aside, his hand pushing Hannah away in a burst of remaining restraint. His tone came out ragged, threaded with irritation as he snapped, "Hannah, you've crossed a line!"

But Hannah wasn't listening to any of his words now. Whatever he said was drowned out by the pounding in her veins-an ache driven by instinct and raw need that silenced reason entirely.

In a feverish blur, Hannah began clawing at her clothes-heels flying off; buttons scattering across the tiles,her zipper sliding down with trembling haste-until each discarded piece of fabric littered the floor like fallen petals.

Just as her shaking fingers moved toward the last piece of clothing, Vincent lunged forward, swept her up effortlessly, and carried her straight toward the bathroom. Without hesitation, he set her down inside the bathtub, his movements firm, almost harsh.

Hannah blinked at him in dazed confusion, her mind too clouded to interpret his sudden intervention.

In the next heartbeat, Vincent seized the showerhead and twisted the handle. A rush of icy water burst forth, drenching her from head to toe.

Her startled cry echoed through the tiled room as the freezing cascade shocked her body into awareness,each droplet biting against her feverish skin.

She wiped her dripping face, eyes blinking rapidly toward Vincent, whose taut expression revealed both anger and unease. Though the chill cleared her thoughts slightly, the fire surging through her body refused to die. Her hand shot out suddenly,clutching his suit jacket with desperate force.

The unexpected pull threw him off balance, and before he could catch himself, he stumbled, falling straight into the wide tub beside her.

Leaning close, Hannah's breath fanned against his ear, still searingly hot. "I was drugged," she murmured

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between gasps. "I can't take it anymore. Help me. Have sex with me."

Her tongue flicked teasingly along the curve of his earlobe, her every motion meant to unravel his control.

Vincent's throat tightened; his Adam's apple shifted visibly as her words and touch clawed at his composure. His voice came out strained, rough-edged. "Is this how reckless you always are?"

He leaned in, pressing her lightly yet firmly against the cold porcelain wall.

Hannah tilted her chin upward, her gaze shimmering between dreamlike haze and solemn intensity."Reckless?" she whispered. "No. It's only because it's you that I am willing to have-sex with."

She leaned closer, their lips separated by a mere breath."So, Vincent, what's your answer? Yes or no?"

For a split second, his eyes darkened, the battle within him dangerously close to surrender. But sheer self-restraint forced him back from the edge.

He rose abruptly, turning away, his soaked clothes clinging to him as he fished out his phone with rigid precision. "I'm calling a doctor," he said, steadying his tone with effort. "You need medical help."

He pressed a number and barked into the receiver, "Derek, find a reliable doctor-send him to my apartment immediately."

The words pierced through the haze clouding Hannah's senses. Her pulse faltered; the sting of rejection hit harder than the cold water. He didn't want her.

Watching his turned back, her eyes dimmed, the faint glimmer of hope collapsing into a quiet, bitter emptiness. Silently, she peeled off the last fragments of her clothing and tossed them beyond the rim of the tub, her movements slow, deliberate. Her voice came next-soft, unnervingly even. "Forget the doctor."

Vincent pivoted around in confusion, only to freeze mid-motion at the sight of her-bare, motionless beneath the running water.

His breath hitched sharply; he averted his gaze at once, anger cutting through the tension. "Hannah! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Her tone remained chillingly calm. "I said no doctor. Just send up a male escort for me."

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She paused briefly, her lips curving faintly with a hint of defiance. "Make sure he's good-looking. Maybe two.I'll pay."

The words landed like stones-both on Vincent and on Derek, who had heard everything through the line.

On the other end, Derek's shocked exhale filled the silence, his thoughts racing. Vincent really wasn't responding? She was practically begging, anid he was still unmoved?

Trying to provoke Vincent, Derek ventured carefully, "Mr. Jones, should I send two then?"

"Shut up!" Vincent snarled, slamming the phone shut with enough force to echo, Rage boiled in him-rage he couldn't explain, except that the idea of her wanting someone else tore through his restraint like flame through dry wood.

Seething,he turned toward the door, his words curt and furious. "Do whatever you damn well want."

But when Hannah realized he truly meant to leave, her own fury ignited. She raised her voice deliberately,every word sharp enough to wound. "Then tell Derek to hurry! I expect them waiting by the time I'm out of the bath!"