Chapter 312

312
Therefore , he said , “ I’ll be fine here by myself . Why don’t you head home and get tome rast ? ”
Aria paused for a couple of seconds , then said with a teasing smile , “ After all those free meals I’ve mooshed off you , it’s only fair I return the p
once . ”
Owen looked up at the IV drip , the medicine slowly dripping . The words to refuse rose to his lips , but he swallowed them back .
Just then , the doctor pushed open the door and walked in .
Owen quickly spoke up , “ Doctor , I feel like my fever’s gone down . Can I stop the IV after this bag is finished ? ”
The doctor paused briefly , a flicker of surprise in his eyes . He quickly stepped forward and reached out to feal Owen’s forehead , then turned to grab the thermometer . After giving it a brisk shake , he handed it to Owen and said , “ Let’s take your temperature first . ”
Owen thanked him and took it with his free hand .
But with his left hand stuck with the IV and his right holding the thermometer , Owen realized – great , now he didn’t even have a free hand to pull up his shirt .
The doctor’s lips quirked in amusement as he shot Aria a discreet glance . “ Other patients are waiting , so I’ll get going . Could you help your friend lift up his shirt ? ”
With that , he hurried out – but not before shooting Owen a knowing wink on his way
out .
Owen caught the implication in the doctor’s look and froze for a moment , then glanced awkwardly at Aria . “ I can manage it myself , ” he stammered .
With that , he set the thermometer aside , reached for his jacket zipper , then , using just one hand , awkwardly fumbled with his shirt buttons .
Aria stared at his fumbling hand for two silent seconds , then suddenly stood up and leaned in closer .
Owen’s pupils dilated . His fingers froze mid – motion on the buttons , his entire body rigid as if frozen in place . He stared fixedly at her .
“ Let me , ” Aria said .
Aria’s voice was calm , her eyes clear and guileless – utterly devoid of even a hint of anything suggestive .
Her hands moved swiftly , nimble fingers working their way down his shirt buttons one by one .
Owen instinctively held his breath , muscles tensing imperceptibly .
As Aria undid the fourth button , the back of her hand almost accidentally brushed lightly against his chest .
Her hand was slightly cool . That gentle touch was like an electric current shooting through him . Owen nearly lost his composure – his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard .
Halfway through unbuttoning , Aria’s gaze involuntarily flicked to his chest .
Her gaze landed on his perfectly defined abs , toned and firm .
Her gaze drifted lower , but the view was cut off by his shirt .
In that split second , Aria’s heart hammered faster . She swallowed hard , quickly averted her gaze , picked up the thermometer , and handed it to Owen . Her voice came out tighter than she intended as she said , “ That’ll do .”
Aria worked diligently on the buttons , completely unaware that Owen’s gaze remained fixed on her face – he didn’t miss
eting change in her eyes .
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Guess all those workouts weren’t for nothing . Guess she’s not as maffected is the pretende : Owen thought , the tremare at leas Involuntarily . With a small sigh of relief , he tucked the thermometer under his tek armpit
As Owen withdrew his left hand – the one connected to the IV he accidentally knocked against the glass , producing a faint denting card ,
with his left hand hooked up to the IV and a thermometer tucked under his arm , Owen’s movements were painfully autward . He who tension .
Aria neticed his discomfort and , after a brief hesitation , softly suggested , “ Why don’t you try tucking it under your other arm instead ?:
Aria thought , ‘ Right now , I kind of regret coming to this little clinic . If I’d gone to a proper hospital , at least they’d have digital thermometers for oral readings . Then I wouldn’t have to endure this painfully awkward situation !
Owen didn’t want to trouble her further in this situation . He shook his head and insisted , “ Ho , this works fine . Really , the Wisn’t in the way
As he spoke , he fumbled one – handed to button his shirt .
Having done it once before , the second time felt much
more natural – no longer as awkward or hesitant as before .
“ Let me , ” Aria said , stepping even closer and reaching out to fasten his buttons .
She leaned down , and Owen looked up .
They were so close that each could hear the other’s poundin
heartbeat .
Owen dared not take deep breaths , but the more he restrained himself , the faster his heart raced – its pounding growing louder with each passing second .
Aria could distinctly hear the rapid pounding of his heart . As she fastened the last button , her fingers stilled , and she lowered her gaze to meet his .
His heart hammered wildly in his chest – he could barely breathe .
Owen’s lips trembled slightly with nerves as he blurted out , “ You … ”
Just then , the door swung open abruptly , and the doctor entered with a patient , shattering the tense atmosphere .
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