Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 601

Roseanne Cole clung to the man like a child holding onto a tree for dear life. In this moment, she was the koala, and Owen Reynolds was her sturdy eucalyptus. "I'm so, so sorry, I didn't mean to- that dog scared the living daylights out of me..." she stammered, trying to find her footing and disentangle herself from him.

But-

His hands remained firmly on her waist, the warmth from his grip penetrating even the thickest layers of her winter coat, sending a rush of heat throughout her body.

A blush spread across Roseanne's cheeks, blooming into a deep crimson that even tinted the tips of her ears a delicate pink.

"Pro-Professor..." she managed, putting a bit more effort into her struggle.

Yet Owen's grip was unyielding, as if his hands were clamps locked around her.

"Scared?" Owen suddenly spoke, his voice a husky whisper.

It was unclear if he was referring to the dog or the current, rather intimate, predicament.

Roseanne nodded, "A bit."

was the dog or the man, she was

one who jumped up, aren't you?" He pressed

as if they might start bleeding from the sheer

meant taking the full brunt of the animal's charge. Despite the awkwardness, Roseanne felt no regret. Given another chance,

you... maybe let me down now?" She asked softly, not realizing how close her lips were to his ear. As she spoke,

her away from his body but not loosening his grip entirely, just enough to create some space between

he finally asked, his

noticed one of her sneakers had been knocked off in the commotion, spirited away by the mischievous dog. Glancing down at her

to

her body rejecting the idea even as her mind

to navigate the stairs in her socks. Instead, he

securely in his arms, Roseanne could only gaze up at his chiseled jawline, feeling the strength and steadiness of his embrace. He climbed without a

all the way

her

with a

the faint, woodsy