Chapter 512

Just as Shelmaine sat back down, a knock came at the study door. Samuel stood in the doorway. "Shelly, can I come in?" "Be my guest," she replied. The door opened, and Samuel walked in, holding a pair of house slippers. "The flood's cold and you're prone to chills. Don't go barefoot at home." Shelmaine hadn't noticed. "Got it. Just leave them here." Instead of simply setting the slippers down, Samuel moved her chair so she faced him directly. Bending down, he slipped the slippers onto her feet. The unexpected contact made her pull back instinctively, but he held her ankle firmly. "Don't move." The smell of alcohol lingered heavily on him, along with a faint trace of perfume—probably from the social event he had attended. She didn't ask and didn't care either. When the pink slippers were snug on her feet, she pulled her legs back, pushing her toes against the floor to scoot the chair back into its original position. "Thanks." "What are you working on, Shelly?" "A draft." "Can I