Game Over No Second Chances

However, Hugh lightly tapped Serena's shoulder. "Your zipper."

Serena turned her head and only then realized she hadn't fully zipped up the back of her dress in her rush to get there. The slight twist of her body had exposed part of her back.

Mortified, she immediately reached for it, but the more she fumbled, the harder it was to fix. Her fingers trembled, and her cheeks began to burn with

embarrassment.noveldrama

Then, Hugh reached out and said, "Let me help."

"Okay," Serena mumbled, hiding her face behind her hands.

Everything felt like chaos tonight. She'd been so focused on putting on a show, playing her part, and getting Hugh to rest that she hadn't even noticed her zipper wasn't fully closed.

And the worst part? For a split second, she'd actually thought Hugh might give her a grateful hug, like her friends would have.

A hug from Hugh? How ridiculous. That was something girls did not him.

Still, she was thankful he had offered to help. Quietly, she swept her hair to one side, exposing the back of her neck and leaving herself completely in his hands. Hugh's movements faltered for a moment. Then, slowly, he zipped her dress all the way up.

Serena started to turn around, but his voice stopped her. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight..."

"No need," she said without thinking. "We'll sleep in the bed together."

She smoothed the back of her dress, then turned and gave him a soft smile.

Hugh's fingers curled into a fist, and his jaw tightened.

Her simple words that they'd sleep together-were all it took for the storm to stir behind his eyes.

He looked at Serena. She was so much younger than he was, and she was smiling up at him with wide, unguarded eyes. He felt a rush of heat flood through him.

Serena was still too young. She might be too innocent to realize that every little step she took toward him chipped away at his restraint.

But before his thoughts could spiral further, the door opened. Next to his large bed stood a newly prepared one. It was small, warm, and inviting.

The maid had returned with the glass of warm milk he'd declined earlier, placing it on the bedside table. She'd even added two plush teddy bears beside the pillows on the smaller bed.

She smiled as she explained, "Mrs. Larson spoke with Mr. Larson Senior. Since she knew you hadn't been sleeping well, she thought sharing a bed might disturb your rest. So, she had us prepare@ second one. That way, you can still be close but not bother each other."

The storm in Hugh's eyes calmed instantly. Yes, Serena really was too young- young and full of unexpected surprises.

But before the maid stepped out, she leaned in and whispered, "MR Larson Senior told me to remind you that Mrs. Larson is thoughtful, and maybe you should go a little easier on her. Don't wear her out so much."

A vein throbbed at Hugh's temple. What exactly had Serena been saying behind his back?

As soon as the door closed, Serena strolled into the room and gave him a playful wink.

"Now we both get to sleep comfortably with no interruptions. We even have these adorable plush pillows. Isn't it the best of both worlds?"

She remembered that Hugh secretly liked soft, fluffy things. Picking up one of the teddy bears, she placed it beside his pillow, then grabbed a tie from the coffee table and knotted it into a bow around the bear's neck.

Hugh could feel his irritation evaporating.

"Grandpa really shouldn't have agreed to this so easily," he said.

Calvin knew the truth-Hugh couldn't have children. But he also knew Hugh was still a man, with a man's desires.

If anything, Calvin was hoping he and Serena would cross that line and become a real couple-loving, permanent, and inseparable.