Chapter 337
“Why don’t you try it and see if it hurts?” Her voice was sharp, the kind of tone that didn’t invite much sympathy.
Latham crouched down beside her, his hand cool as he pressed the back of it to her forehead, checking for a fever. Sometimes a bad toothache came with a low fever, but her skin felt normal. At least she wasn’t burning up.
“I’m sorry, baby. I should’ve come home sooner. Come on, let’s get up. I’ll help you rinse with some warm saltwater, okay p>
Dorothea knew her toothache had nothing to do with Latham, but she couldn’t help feeling a little bitter. If she weren’t pregnant, she could just take some painkillers and be done with it. Now, because of the baby, she couldn’t take anything strong. All she could do was grit her teeth and suffer through it, and the unfairness of it all just made her mood worse.
“No, I don’t want to. Let me just die from the pain,” she muttered, pouting like a child.
Latham only sighed, the kind of sigh that said he was used to her stubborn moments. He disappeared into the kitchen and came back holding a glass of warm saltwater and a small basin. Squatting at her side, he looked up at her with gentle eyes.
“Come on, sweetheart. Rinsing will help a little. Don’t punish yourself just because you’re mad at me, okay p>
Dorothea wasn’t completely unreasonable. She let out a small whine, but eventually propped herself up, making it clear she was only giving in because she had no other choice.
Latham didn’t waste a second. He brought the cup to her lips, careful and patient. As the warm saltwater washed over her sore gums, the ache pulsed sharper for a moment. She blinked, suddenly feeling a wave of self-pity. Tears pricked at her nose. If she hadn’t gotten married, this wouldn’t be happening. If she hadn’t gotten married, she wouldn’t be pregnant. The thoughts tumbled through her mind, each one making her more miserable.
Latham must have sensed how down she felt. He gently dabbed away the water at the corner of her lips. “I read online that after rinsing, you can use a little white vinegar on the sore spot. It’s supposed to help with the swelling p>
“Open up for me, baby p>
Dorothea lay back and parted her lips, looking pale and a little dramatic. Latham smiled, soft and teasing. “Say ah p>
She rolled her eyes at the ceiling, but still obediently let out a quiet “ah p>
The white vinegar stung a little, but not as much as she’d feared. Actually, it felt kind
of nice. The throbbing pain eased ever so slightly, and for a moment she wondered if this home remedy might actually work.
Her mood lifted a little. “Is it over p>
Latham tossed the cotton swab in the trash, then grabbed two small ice cubes from a cup nearby and popped them into his mouth.
He
didn’t say anything for a second, just looked at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Before Dorothea could ask, he leaned in, cheeks puffed out, and pressed his cold lips against her right cheek. The chill mixed with his warm breath sending a shiver down her spine, the cold was perfect just, enough to numb her aching jaw.
“Come here, honey,” Latham murmured, his hand gently cradling her jaw.
Dorothea suddenly remembered the camera in the room. Her ears
burned as she tried to squirm away,
but his big hand kept her right where
she was content belongs to
There wasn’t any direct lip-to-lip action, but the whole thing felt way too intimate,
even for her. Her heart raced.
Meanwhile, the comment section online was going wild.
[Oh my god, they’re adorable p>
[This is too sweet, I can’t take it. I want a toothache and a boyfriend now p>
[Wait, does that actually help? Or are they just showing off p>
[They’re definitely showing off. I can feel the romance all the way from Hawaii p>
Eventually, the ice melted in his mouth. Latham swallowed and gave her a crooked, teasing smile. “Still hurt, baby p>
Dorothea looked away, her cheeks warm, glancing at the blinking camera light.