Chapter 910
The alcohol hit her bloodstream hard, and Noreen ended up curled into a tight ball in the corner of the VIP booth, fast asleep.
At events like this, Sophia never drank. She strictly assigned herself the role of designated wrangler, making sure every single employee was safely tucked into a
cab.
After waving off the final taxi, Sophia headed back inside to collect her boss.
But as she rounded the corner of the velvet-lined hallway, she slammed to a halt.
Seth Harcourt was carrying Noreen in his arms, walking toward the exit.
Sophia opened her mouth, ready to intervene.
Seth pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh. She hasn’t slept well in two days.”
His voice was barely a rumble, terrified of waking the woman in his arms.
Despite his caution, Noreen furrowed her brow in her sleep, instinctively burying her face deeper into his chest.
It was a subconscious hunt for warmth.
Sophia swallowed her words instantly.
Winter had officially arrived, and after a week of relentless rain, the nights were biting cold.
Seth tightened the thick blanket wrapped around Noreen, carrying her with the utmost care.
But transitioning her into the luxury SUV was difficult, and the slight jostle disturbed her.
She cracked her eyes open, her gaze glassy and unfocused.
It was impossible to tell if she even recognized him.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll wake you when we get home,” Seth murmured softly.
Noreen didn’t speak. She just stared blankly at his face for a long time before mumbling, “Is there any lemon water?”
In the past, he had always kept a thermos of it ready for her.
“Yes. Do you want some now?”
She nodded. Seth reached into the cup holder, unscrewed the lid of the honey lemon water, and guided the straw to her lips.
Noreen took a small sip, then frowned in confusion. “Why is it warm?”
“You can’t drink cold water right now.”
Seth gently reminded her. “Did you forget what the doctor said last time?”
He was referring to her severe period pains. The doctor had given strict orders: absolutely no ice-cold drinks!
Especially in the days leading up to her cycle.
Judging by the calendar, it was about that time.
Noreen looked slightly disgruntled, but she obediently drank the warm honey water.
The heated liquid coated her
stomach; dulling the nauseating net
of
the winter chill in her bones.
alcohol and chasing
With the heater blasting, the gentle hum and sway of the moving car acted like a perfect sedative.
Noreen started drifting off again.
But she couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position, squirming restlessly against the leather seat.
Finally, Seth reached over, scooped her up, and pulled her firmly onto his lap.
He tucked her head against his chest and began gently rubbing circles on her back. “Sleep.”
Finding the perfect, warm position, she let out a soft sigh of contentment and stopped fidgeting.
Her rhythmic, heated breaths puffed softly against the sensitive skin of his neck.
In the shadowed confines of the car, Seth’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
She was deeply asleep, her mind muddled by the alcohol, completely unaware of the raging heat she was grinding against through his tailored Stacks
Seth shifted her weight slightly forward, trying to create some agonizing distance before asking, “Is anyone at your house?”
She was wasted, and if the house was empty, he wasn’t going to leave her alone.
Drunk Noreen was extremely compliant and brutally honest.
“No one.”
“Should we go to my place then?”
Noreen shook her head stubbornly. “No. I have to draw a line with you.”
Seth’s heart seized painfully in his chest.
With her cheek smashed against his suit jacket, her lips were slightly squished, making her words slur together adorably. “Honey told me. you can’t play the same man twice