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

Chapter 1447: Why not you?

Grace's heart thudded slowly and loudly against her chest. Perhaps it was the abruptness of the situation that made it race, or maybe it was the tight grip on her arm. Or perhaps it was the distance between her and Haines's face-she could inhale his hot breath as it caressed her upper lip. Their eyes shimmered as they mirrored each other's.

Her lips parted slightly, stunned into silence at how quickly things had escalated.

Haines exhaled heavily, staring at her up close. His body was burning, and with her soft, delicate skin under his hold, a slight itch emerged in him—an itch that could only be eased if he glided his palms over her softness.

Slowly, he pulled her closer... and closer, until his face moved past hers, stopping in front of her ear. "Is... Penny an addict?"

The second those words escaped his mouth, they shattered the building tension between them. Grace, who had assumed this Chapter would turn into an R-rated narrative, couldn't stop her face from twitching. She drew her head back and looked at him.

"I think this is the time when we finally have our first kiss," she noted, making him tilt his head back in confusion.

"I think I'm drugged," he said, closing his eyes as he fanned himself with his shirt. "I'm burning up, and I need to go to the hospital. Penny must've put something in that cake she fed us."

Deep lines appeared between Grace's brows as she studied him. Without a word, she touched his forehead with the back of her hand, making him catch her arm.

"No," he breathed out, opening his eyes and meeting hers. "And I'm a little sensitive, too."

"I don't think Penny would drug you in a way that would make you suffer like this." "Then this is the first time."

"Haines-"

"I'm aroused," he interjected, as it seemed easier for him to be blunt about it. "It's what I meant by being sensitive, and if I'm correct, whatever drug Penny put in the cake has something to do with this."

single for decades, Haines finally understood what was happening to him. Thanks to Grace's presence, it became clear. If he was being honest with himself, he wanted Grace right now-or to be precise,

it was just the effect of the drug, and he wouldn't let it control him. Grace pursed her lips, her brows slightly rising in surprise. "It's an aphrodisiac?" This time, he didn't respond. He simply released

studied him before she touched the

me to

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

into the front passenger seat. She hurriedly went to the driver's side, opening the door, only

she murmured, unbuckling his seatbelt.

on her face. Her voice was gentle and patient, not letting him hear the slightest trace of concern. Yet, beneath those eyes, there was something else. "Can you move over?" she asked, facing him squarely. "Come on, I'll help you." A short smile formed on her face as she nodded reassuringly. Although there was an easier way to help him, she also wanted to respect both him and herself. "I'm sorry," he breathed out, only to see her nod

your fault." Grace then helped him carefully until he managed to shift into the front passenger seat. Once he was settled, she jumped into the

she focused on the task at hand while he could only watch helplessly. Once she ensured he was secure,

nearby. I'll take you there first, okay?" Her brows rose as she smiled. "Don't

he clasped her

said, carefully placing his hand down before starting the car. Once it was moving, she

kept her eyes on the road, her hand holding his. Meanwhile, Haines stared at her side profile before his gaze fell on their joined hands. wasn'tlike she was holding him in a romantic way; she was holding him to reassure him. A desperate attempt to transfer a sense of

out.

to her side profile, a shallow breath slipped past

kept

cast him a brief look before she smiled. "Why not you?" she replied,

Why not Grace?

knew she would break his