บททั้งหมดของ My Best Friend’s Brother Is My Professor—And He Wants Me: บทที่ 81 - บทที่ 90

Elena CarsonKillian’s hand stays wrapped around mine as we step into the spa building.The air inside is cooler and I think it might be scented with something herbal. Maybe eucalyptus mixed with soft lavender. Everything is quiet in that expensive way. Light wood floors, cream walls, and low instrumental music that feels like it was chosen specifically to slow your heartbeat. A receptionist in a pale linen uniform looks up and smiles when she sees us.“Mr. Davenport, Miss Carson. Welcome. Your couples package is ready.”She leads us down a short hallway lined with frosted glass doors and into a private treatment room. It’s larger than I expected. Two massage tables sit side by side, already prepared with crisp white sheets and rolled towels. Soft golden light filters in from a high window. There’s a small seating area in the corner with a tray of cucumber water and folded robes.“We’ll start with a joint aromatherapy massage,” the receptionist explains. “After that you’ll have acce

Elena CarsonThe sky is already turning the soft, bruised color of early evening by the time we leave the restaurant behind.Killian’s hand stays firm on my waist as we walk down toward the water. The beach has emptied out. Only a few distant figures remain near the main hotel, and even those are fading with the light. The sand is cooler now, shifting under my sandals. Waves roll in with a low, steady rush, leaving dark ribbons of foam that dissolve at our feet.We walk in silence for a while. I can feel the tension still sitting in his body, tight shoulders, controlled breathing, the way his fingers press just a little too firmly against me. I glance up at him. His profile is sharp against the darkening sky.“You’re still upset,” I say softly.He doesn’t deny it. “I don’t like the way he looked at you.”“Devon?”“Yes.”I stop walking. The water nearly reaches my toes. “He was just talking, Killian. People talk.”Killian turns to face me fully. The last light catches in his grey e

Elena CarsonI wake up warm and slow.Killian’s chest is solid against my back, one arm around my waist, his breath steady against the back of my neck. For a few seconds I don’t move. The room is bright with morning light pouring through the wide windows. The ocean is louder today, waves rolling in with a deeper sound than yesterday.I shift carefully. His arm tightens.“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice is rough with sleep.“Nowhere,” I murmur, smiling.He presses a lazy kiss to my shoulder, then another to the side of my neck. The stubble on his jaw scrapes lightly against my skin and makes me shiver. I turn in his arms so I’m facing him. His grey eyes are half-lidded.“Morning,” I say.“Morning.” He brushes his thumb across my cheek. “You slept like the dead.”“Someone wore me out.”A slow smirk pulls at his mouth. “Someone, huh?”I poke his chest. He catches my hand and kisses the tips of my fingers, then my palm. The simple affection makes my stomach flutter. Eventually

Elena CarsonMorning light spills across the bed when I open my eyes.For a moment I stay still, listening to the quiet of the villa and the distant sound of the ocean. Killian is already awake. I can feel the warmth of him behind me, the steady rise and fall of his chest. The weekend is over. The thought settles heavily in my stomach.I slip out of bed carefully and start packing the last of my things. My sundresses, the bikini, the toiletries scattered across the bathroom counter. The private bubble we tried to build here is already collapsing. Reality is waiting on the other side of the drive home.Last night sits at the edge of my mind and refuses to leave. The sound of Killian’s fist connecting with Devon’s face. The cold fury in his eyes. The way he said mine like it was both a promise and a warning. Part of me is still flattered that he wanted me enough to lose control. The larger part of me hates how small the word made me feel. Like something claimed rather than chosen.

Elena CarsonI walk into the apartment building. The lobby is empty and the usual security man is talking to one of the residents about a lost mail. He greets me and I give him a small nod, opting to take the stairs instead of the elevator.The apartment is quiet when I step in. I walk into my bedroom and close the door behind me.Nora’s light is already off and I’m a bit thankful that she’s asleep. That way, I won’t have to spend time telling her about how it went. I really just want to be alone.m. I drop my bag on the chair, kick off my shoes, and sit on the edge of the bed with my phone still face-down beside me. Killian’s unanswered text sits there like a weight. I don’t pick it up yet. Instead I open my laptop and type the name into the search bar.Holland Enterprise.The results come faster than I expect. News articles. A sleek official website. Photos of glass buildings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Philip’s name appears again and again, CEO, co-founder, keynote speaker, m