Chapter 44

With barely half a meter between them, heat from the bathroom rushed out the moment the door cracked open, like it couldn't wait to escape. Inside, Louise stood frozen, her eyes still glazed with steam and water. The second she saw him, her pupils dilated slightly, her brain going blank as everything stalled out. But even though her mind hadn't caught up yet, the blush on her face had already spread down her neck. "I..." she started, the tip of her pink tongue darting out from her parted lips before quickly retreating. "Is Mrs. Ellis doing this on purpose?" Dominic rarely smiled like this-calm and composed most days-but now, his lips curled with a teasing charm that made hearts race. He stepped in slowly, leaning toward her to plant a kiss on her trembling lips. "Since you're being so enthusiastic, how could I possibly say no?" His words were playful, but they sent Louise stumbling back into the tub filled with aromatic rose oil. Only this time, she wasn't alone in the water. Dominic's