The Sway and Slide of Love by Jean Song

Chapter 771

"I haven't slept all night. Can you just let me rest for a while?" Hendrix asked.

"Why don't you go sleep in your own place?" Noelle argued.

"I can't sleep without you."

The moment Hendrix spoke those words, Noelle's cheeks flushed bright red.

She wanted to argue, but in the next moment, Hendrix's breathing seemed to steady.

Surprised, she lifted her head and saw the dark circles under his eyes. Even his usually clean-shaven jaw now bore a faint stubble.

Her hand, which had been ready to push him away, slowly dropped.

Hendrix hadn't expected to fall asleep so quickly. Though he had finally found Noelle, he hadn't been sleeping well these past few days. Aside from constantly being jolted awake, the terrible conditions here only made things worse. But in Noelle's room, none of that seemed to matter.

Even in this cramped, damp little house, even on this rickety wooden bed that cracked beneath him, he could still catch the faint scent of her skin and the sun- warmed fragrance of the blankets. It made him feel safe.

of sleep. But as she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, as his warmth slowly

heard Irene's

up yet?

Hendrix frowned, stirring as if he were

to knock on

waiting to see if Hendrix would speak, she clamped her hand over his mouth

okay? You're not

I just overslept. I'm

get up from the bed, only to

widened, and without thinking, she lunged

voice, somehow caught the sound. "Everything

I just

go have breakfast first? I'll be right out," Noelle explained in a trembling. voice. She locked her gaze on

as if terrified Irene might

her hand down just enough to press

had been wound