Chapter 559
Chapter 559:
Yet the way he stood in front of me, guarding me with such quiet care, struck me as irresistibly manly.
My heartbeat skipped several times. I blinked hard, almost stepping back. I knew all too well how strongly this man drew me in.
But common sense told me not to get too close.
“Stop staring at me and watch your surroundings p>
His voice was flat, as always, but heat rushed to my cheeks.
How did he always know? It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head.
That night, the breeze grew cooler. I pulled my long-sleeved shirt tighter around me and leaned into the shelter of the hut.
I didn’t dare move too much, though, as Ashton was lying just behind me, asleep.
We were taking turns, sleeping half the night each. I tried to stay alert, but my eyelids grew heavy.
Suddenly, a chill brushed against my arm. Startled, I opened my eyes. A few droplets had fallen onto the sleeve of my shirt.
Before I could react, more rain began to spatter down on me.
The weather changed in an instant.
I sprang up and ducked into the hut. Even so, I couldn’t avoid the downpour completely. My chest, back, and legs were soon speckled with drops. Though I wasn’t as bedraggled as a drowned rat, I looked at least half like one.
The damp clothes clung to me uncomfortably.
I glanced at Ashton.
He must have been exhausted from the day, as he slept soundly without stirring.
A shiver ran through me, and an itch prickled at my nose.
This was bad. At this rate, I was bound to fall ill. On a deserted island, catching a cold was almost like inviting death. Even with Ashton around, I’d be nothing but a burden for days.
Your new favorite is gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․cօm
I frowned. I didn’t want to be a burden.
My eyes drifted toward the clean, dry clothes in the suitcase, then shifted to Ashton’s sleeping figure.
If I wanted to change, I’d have to do it inside the hut. Going back outside would mean another drenching, which would make changing pointless. But in here, I’d have to do it right in front of Ashton, asleep or not.
A faint dizziness pressed against my temples. I bit my lower lip sharply to steady myself.
No. I couldn’t risk getting sick.
After all, Ashton was fast asleep. He wouldn’t see, and he wouldn’t know.
If I moved quietly enough…
Bolstered by that thought, I stole another quick glance at Ashton, confirming that he was still lost in deep sleep. Only then did I ease sideways, take out a clean set of clothes from the suitcase, and begin peeling off the ones I wore. That day, I had been wearing a long white shirt-dress. It was linen, which meant it turned see-through the moment it got wet.
I half-pinned my hair up so fewer drops would run down and soak me further. One by one, I undid the buttons of the shirt. Soon, only the one near my lower stomach was left. It was stubborn, and I tugged and twisted at it, frowning, while the rest of the shirt gaped open and slid halfway down my arms. There was a sharp snap as the button gave way and flew off somewhere. I groaned inwardly. I’d never been good with buttoned clothes, always popping them off by accident.
I glanced around, but I couldn’t see where it had fallen. With the rain still beating down outside and Ashton asleep beside me, there was no way to look properly. I decided to leave it for tomorrow.