The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 389

When Ronan stepped out, Cordelia slipped into the bathroom to freshen up.

This home had never seen a man before. The steam from Ronan's shower was still lingering, mingling

with the scent of his shampoo and body wash. The unmistakable aroma of masculinity hit Cordelia's

senses. The towel Ronan had used was hung on the rack, still damp.

Cordelia hadn't intended to shower tonight, but she did anyway. As she stood under the shower head,

thinking about Ronan wrapped in his towel, a shiver ran down her spine. Her hormones seemed to be

in overdrive, but luckily, the warm water was comforting.

After her shower, Cordelia got into her pajamas and stepped out of the bathroom.

Ronan was already in bed, hands folded behind his head, and eyes closed in repose. At the sound of

her movements, his eyes fluttered open. Seeing her with damp hair, he asked, "Don't you usually blow-

dry your hair?"

"Ah, it's too bothersome," Cordelia replied, her face looking flushed from the hot shower. She quickly

dried her hair with a towel and draped it over her shoulders. She wasn't in a rush to get to bed. Instead,

she let down the mosquito net over the bed, shielding it completely from view. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Ronan hadn't noticed the net before.

"What's this for?" He asked, gazing at her delicate wrists.

"It's winter, but there might still be mosquitoes. Plus, sleeping under a net gives me a sense of security.

I used to have one over my bed in the dorm,” Cordelia explained.

Ronan seemed intrigued. “How come I didn’t know about this when we lived together?”

“That was your home. And such a luxurious one at that. Hanging a mosquito net would seem out of

place. This place isn’t as fancy, but at least it’s mine,” she said.

With that, she climbed into bed.

The bed was smaller than any in Ronan’s homes, and there was just one blanket. This brought

Cordelia and Ronan closer than ever before.

Cordelia, in her pajamas, accidentally brushed her foot against Ronan’s leg. She recoiled as if she’d

touched a hot stove.

“Stop acting so innocent,” he scoffed.

Indeed. Cordelia realized there was no need for pretense. Maybe their time apart had made them

strangers. However, his body was like a blazing fireball, making her feel warm and flustered. So, she

quickly pulled her foot away.

Despite her lingering doubts and insecurities, she still craved his touch.

Cordelia leaned against the headboard, reading a book.

"So now you're the one who reads?" Ronan commented from his side of the bed, his eyes still closed.

"I have a test coming up," she replied. "Just cramming last minute. When can I see the baby?"

"Tomorrow at ten in the morning? He'll be awake then."

"Don't forget," Cordelia reminded him.

"I know."

The two of them, enclosed in this small space, seemed so intimately close.

"It's so cold," Cordelia said, shivering slightly.

They were sharing a blanket, but the middle was gaping open, letting the cold air in.

Just as Cordelia was about to pull the blanket over her, Ronan swiftly moved closer to her. Suddenly,

Cordelia wasn't cold anymore. Her breath hitched.

"No!" She protested. "We can't! Not without protection."

She vividly remembered the news of him and Tabitha. Just the thought of his name mixed up with

another woman’s made her feel bitter.

“No protection? Who are you trying to fool?” Ronan glanced at the bedside table. Following his gaze,

Cordelia noticed the box of condoms Taylor had given her.

“Were you snooping through my stuff?” Cordelia questioned.

“It’s right there in the open. Do I need to snoop?”

Their eyes met, and sparks began flying.

Cordelia was just beginning to understand the meaning of irresistible attraction.

Ronan’s phone began to ring, interrupting their intense moment. It was a call from Janice.

“Ignore it!” Ronan said dismissively.

“Answer it!” Cordelia insisted, worried it might’ve been something about the baby.

"Fine!"