Alan yanked her straight into his arms, gripping her soaked clothes in frustration. He was beyond pissed-she actually ran out in just a thin nightdress and his suit jacket? He'd ditched the jacket underwater to make swimming easier. Now that clinging, wet fabric was plastered all over her body, making her look even more exposed than if she'd worn nothing at all. There was no way he was letting Paul see her like this.
No way he could carry her bridal style like this-the nightdress was way too short. So, like hoisting a kid, he picked her up vertically with one arm and trudged up from the lakeside.
The chilly wind hit Jessica hard, making her shiver uncontrollably. Her teeth chattered, lips turning an alarming shade of purple.
"Coat!" Alan barked.
Paul quickly shrugged off his own coat and wrapped it around her.
"Alan, you're soaked too! Let Jessica go and wear my coat," Chloe offered, holding out her jacket.
From the moment he rushed over till now, Alan hadn't even looked at her. Chloe already realized she fell into Jessica's trap-but what could she say? Alan had seen everything with his own eyes. She couldn't even make up an excuse.
Panicked and flustered, Chloe's hands trembled as she held out the coat. She knew Alan hated Jessica, but he hadn't acted on it-and if he hadn't, neither could she. Going against his will? Not happening. He was always that kind of guy.
Alan didn't spare Chloe a glance. He just carried Jessica straight into the villa.
"Put me down! I can walk!" Jessica protested, squirming in his arms. She could feel the storm brewing behind his tightly clenched jaw.
She had intended to stir things up between him and Chloe. She knew him too well-he despised manipulative women. But clearly, things hadn't gone the way she'd hoped. Now, she just wanted out of his suffocating hold.
"Don't move. Keep it up and I'll toss you back in," he growled lowly.
Hell no. Jessica inhaled sharply. If only she could take him on-she'd really sock him. Chloe had literally just shoved her, and now he threatened to throw her?
She stayed still-not that it saved her from being dumped into a bathtub the next second.
Ouch! The impact nearly brought tears to her eyes. And before she could collect herself, his hands were already tearing at her clothes.
"What the hell, Alan! You jerk!" she screamed, pounding at him in outrage. That was the only wearable piece she had left, and now he'd ripped it too!Alan didn't even flinch at the small fists hitting him. He grabbed the showerhead and turned it on, letting the cold water stream over her. Her skin turned red from the chill, but he kept the water icy at first, only gradually turning the temperature up.
Jessica's leg cramped up again, worse than before. She couldn't even think about hitting him now, just curled up into a ball in the tub.
"What's wrong?" he asked, frowning at her scrunched-up, pained face.
"My leg... ahh!" Her toes curled in spasms as the pain shot through her.
Alan turned off the showerhead and perched on the edge of the tub, dragging her leg up onto his lap.
"Ah! That hurts! Don't touch me!" Jessica screamed, her voice raw.
Alan held her foot firmly, and his expression darkened. "Shut it."
He chucked a towel straight at her face. "Bite this. If you scream again, I swear I'll deal with you right now."
He practically yelled it.
With both hands, he pulled her leg straight despite her resistance. It was the quickest way to ease the cramp, but painful as hell.
Jessica's body trembled under the water from the sharp pain. She bit down hard on the towel, watching Alan's furious face. He looked like he meant every word.
By the time he was done with both of her legs, sweat was dripping from her forehead. It was only then that she realized just how awkward their position looked.
The water was clear, doing nothing to cover her. Everything about her was exposed right under his eyes.
She jerked her legs back and curled tightly into herself, trying to hide any part she could.
"I-I'm good now. I can wash up on my own..." she stammered. Since turning fifteen, she'd never been able to predict his moods. Whatever she said could end up ticking him off.
Sure, sometimes she messed with him on purpose, but that definitely wasn't the case now. Her tone was soft, almost cautious.
Alan stood, his tall figure looming. He reached out a hand toward her.
Jessica shrank back, but there was nowhere to run-she was backed up against the tub's edge. She hugged herself tighter. "Alan, don't touch me!" Her eyes flared, like a cat ready to claw.
His fingers caught her chin, his voice low and cold.
"I didn't touch you, so that gives you a reason to run to Chloe?"
Jessica froze, needing a moment to catch up to what he meant.
Then her temper exploded. "Alan! Get it straight-it was Chloe who pushed me in!"
