Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Chapter 360

Chris grabbed the room key without even looking at it and slipped it into his pocket.

"Nice, man. You really went all out—already got my room sorted. I'll head back now. I got off the plane and immediately heard about your mess. My suitcase is still at the nurse's station."

"Yeah," Rupert replied, glancing at him, not bothering to say much more.

After Chris left, Rupert told Orson to have someone keep an eye on him.

The room slipped back into silence.

Sylvia looked a little confused. "Uncle Rupert, what kind of keycard was that?"

"Hotel room key," Rupert said, as if that explained everything-which, of course, it didn't.

Sylvia rolled her eyes and reached to clear the leftovers from the table.

"Come here," Rupert said, nudging his wheelchair and pointing at the bench across from him.

Sylvia sighed, clearly not in the mood for more drama, but sat anyway. "What now?"

Suddenly, Rupert leaned in close. Sylvia froze, startled. She tried to scoot away, but he caught her chin, gently pulling her face back toward him.

He wasn't rough-just insistent enough to get her to stay put.

Sylvia's mind flashed back to their earlier kiss. She frowned and tried to look away, her cheeks burning.

her swollen cheek that she realized Rupert was just putting ointment

whatever thoughts had

Watching her squirm, he smirked. "Relax. With a

hands curled into fists on her

"Uncle Rupert, that's not funny! I can do

twisted away in his wheelchair, and in

his grip on the ointment tightening, his eyes

together, every detail seemingly polished to perfection. When she tumbled forward, the loose neckline of her hospital gown slipped, revealing more than

himself

brushed against his pants. Even for a man with his self-control,

his changing expression, reached

warm hand suddenly

at him, and noticed him deliberately looking away. She looked down, realized what he'd seen, and quickly yanked her

hurriedly scrambled back

Rupert nodded, deadpan. "Yeah."

only sputter. Now he was being honest? Normally, he couldn't be

stormed off to the bed, yanked

a small smile curl his lips. He capped the ointment and tossed

he finally spoke. "It's not the

Sylvia, mortified, immediately

the night

the cave