Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1420: Snuggle

Why did Haines show up tonight?

Simple.

Initially, he didn't have to. Getting away from this arrangement for a day sounded like a treat—at least for a second. It gave him a moment to reflect on himself and his decisions. But as he headed home, something in his mind refused to let him go without a care in the world.

He had put himself in this situation, made her sleep in a car, and instead of facing consequences, he'd received an extension of her understanding. It didn't sit right with him. So, even though he had skipped her birthday and was already late, he still came to check on her.

Coincidentally, she was still there.

And now, here he was, sitting across from her in the kitchen of her home as she finished her last glass of wine for the night.

"So?" Grace swirled the wine in her glass, resting her chin on her palm. She glanced up at him as he draped his blazer suit over the chair before sitting down. "Won't you tell me why you came tonight?"

Haines raised a brow and shrugged. "I had an obligation."

"And what exactly is that obligation?" Intrigue flickered in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly.

"The arrangement," he said, clearing his throat. He entertained her, but his tone remained distant. Haines poured himself a glass of wine - just enough to say he had stayed and drank with her before excusing himself.

"What about the arrangement?" A playful smile appeared on her lips as she watched him glance at her. "I remember giving you a pass, didn't I?"

"And it doesn't feel right to be rewarded after making you sleep in my car."

"I didn't know you were a mild masochist for wanting punishments."

Haines paused, setting the bottle aside before meeting her gaze. "It's not that I seek punishment. However, I feel that I have responsibilities in this arrangement. And I don't want to owe you."

"Oh." Grace rocked her head slightly, letting out a faint chuckle as her eyes dropped to the wine in her hand. A subtle smile curved her lips as she swirled the liquid. "I see."

confusion. He watched as she took a

drink tonight," she said. "After this glass, I'll definitely crash

leaned a little closer to him. "You can stay if you want, but if not, don't wash the glass. I don't like mixed

of her wine. Hissing in satisfaction, her smile

had only been here for ten minutes,

said something really stupid, didn't I?" he

her lips curled before she

"All of it."

said was

her lips. "See me no matter what time of day

escaped her as she shrugged. "For a second

it's

door when you leave," she added

leave, but she stopped when he suddenly grabbed her arm. Raising a brow, she glanced

his expression unreadable. "It's

me, didn't it?" She shrugged. "Also, are you apologizing because you

smile on her face-but he knew she was. He could feel it deep in his bones, as if his heart could hear

he answered truthfully. "I'm not sure if that's another insensitive answer, but it's

lips into a thin line, studying his face. A moment

she nodded

the world, but she had to remind herself-Haines had been single all

all I wanted," she said approvingly.

heaved a sigh of relief as he carefully released her arm.

She shook her head, her bright smile returning. "I have

leaned back slightly. "I'm not going to bed with

want to end up in jail," she quipped. "But since you upset

then jerked her chin

the snacks too," she added as she turned.

formed between Haines' brows as he hesitated, but he still picked up the plate and his wine glass. When he walked into the living area, he saw her setting the bottle and glass on