Chapter 1691
If it were Kevin or any other guy, having a young, sexy cousin taking a shower in the bathroom, they'd be tempted to sneak a peek.
But Abel was different. He was an honest, straightforward kid who had never even held a girl's hand, let alone entertained such naughty thoughts. He just sat on the couch, drinking water nonstop. His bladder was full, and he needed to use the bathroom, but Audrey was in there, so he had to hold it in, crossing his legs tightly.
After a while, the bathroom door opened, and footsteps echoed. Abel looked up to see Audrey stepping out, drying her hair with a towel. She was wearing a thin white nightgown, her delicate face as captivating as a blooming rose.
Abel's face turned bright red. It was the first time he had seen Audrey in a nightgown. The mature woman's body was incredibly sexy, far beyond what girls like Yasmine could compare to. She didn't need to try to be seductive; her natural charm was enough to make anyone swoon.
"You should take a shower too," Audrey said with a smile, noticing Abel's restless demeanor. She couldn't help but recall the first time Kevin came to her house. Kevin was much bolder than Abel, even daring to peek at her while she changed clothes. If she hadn't caught Kevin peeking, perhaps their story wouldn't have continued.
"Ms. Johnson, I don't think I should," Abel quickly waved his hand. He was too embarrassed to shower at Audrey's house. If it weren't for her insistence, he would have preferred to return to his dorm.
"Abel, don't be so polite. Just treat this place like your own home," Audrey said, understanding Abel's shy nature. It was his first time at her house, and it was natural for him to be nervous.
In fact, she didn't usually bring people home casually. Apart from Kevin, Abel was the first guy she had ever brought home. Initially, she admired Abel as a teacher would a student, but after the recent incident, she felt grateful to him. If it weren't for his brave rescue, she would have been violated by that bearded man. Who would have thought he would be so bold as to attack her on the street?
With Audrey's encouragement, Abel finally went into the bathroom. It was small, about 30 square feet, but much better than the facilities at school. There was a washing machine, a toilet, a sink, and a shower. The air was filled with the scent of body wash.
Thinking about how Audrey had just been in there, undressing and showering, Abel felt a bit hot again. But he quickly calmed down. Audrey had invited him to her home and even let him shower, clearly not treating him as an outsider. How could he disrespect such a kind-hearted teacher?
He took off his clothes, revealing a few bruises from the beating he had received from the bearded man and his accomplices. His lower abdomen, near his groin, was particularly bruised and tender to the touch. The bearded man's kick had been vicious; if it had been a bit lower, Abel's genitals would have been injured.
Abel stood under the shower head, letting the hot water wash over him. He was slightly shorter than Kevin but more solidly built. His skin was tanned from long hours of labor, and his hands were rough, unlike the smooth, delicate skin of city students, and certainly nothing like Audrey's flawless complexion.
In the countryside, Abel's hygiene was considered pretty good. Most rural men only bathed once every ten days or so, and women a bit more frequently, but their skin was still rough from daily work. Especially in winter, without hot water, their hands would crack and feel like sandpaper. They didn't use cosmetics; for a family struggling to put food on the table, skincare was a luxury.
However, in the past six months, West Stream Town had been undergoing poverty alleviation efforts, bringing in many new projects and even developing tourism. Many farmers had stopped farming and taken up other jobs, earning more without having to leave their homes. Some opened restaurants and inns, or grew vegetables in greenhouses to supply hotels. It was all thanks to the new County Executive's initiatives. Abel's parents had also made good money recently, and their faces were no longer filled with worry.
Abel quickly finished his shower. He hesitated for a moment before taking a white towel from the rack. It felt incredibly soft, much better than the towels he usually used. He almost didn't want to use it to dry himself.
Suddenly, he noticed a basket on the washing machine containing Audrey's underwear. A pair of black lace panties and a matching bra were crumpled together. The panties had delicate lace trim and embroidered flowers, with a damp spot in the center.
What was that?
Abel's eyes widened, his heart pounding. Thinking about how those panties had just been pressed against Audrey's alluring body, he felt his mouth go dry and a mysterious, primal desire growing inside him. His fingers instinctively reached for the enticing underwear.
But before he could touch them, he snapped back to reality and quickly withdrew his hand. No, no, he couldn't do that.
Abel splashed his face with cold water, waiting for his arousal to subside before getting dressed and leaving the bathroom. He found Audrey sitting on the couch, watching TV. She was so beautiful, every movement so enticing, like a movie star.
"Abel, done with your shower?" Audrey smiled warmly at him. "Come, sit down and watch some TV."
Abel slowly walked over but sat at the far end of the couch, keeping his distance from Audrey. He stared at the TV screen, which was showing a popular urban romance drama. The girls in his class were all talking about it, but Abel's attention was on Audrey. He didn't dare to look directly at her, only stealing glances at her captivating figure from the corner of his eye.
To be honest, facing Audrey, it was impossible not to have a physiological reaction or feel any desire. Abel was trying his best to control his impulses, but some things were just beyond control.
Audrey was watching TV while texting Kevin, asking when he would be back tomorrow. After the night's ordeal, she especially wanted Kevin by her side. She insisted on having Abel stay the night, largely because of her deep-seated fear. Having no man in the house was unsettling.
But Kevin hadn't replied yet, probably still out having fun with Laura and the others. Audrey felt a pang of sadness. Maybe Kevin had already forgotten about her. After all, he and Laura were the same age, with more in common and similar interests.
The more Audrey thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. Unlike Alissa, who was satisfied with just sex, Audrey saw Kevin as an emotional anchor. Sex was important, but it wasn't her only need.
Sometimes she couldn't help but wonder if Kevin would still be so close to her if they hadn't gone to the Hilton Hotel that summer and taken that final step. And if she had met someone else instead of Kevin, would she have treated him the same way?
Audrey glanced at Abel, who was sitting stiffly beside her. In many ways, Abel was more outstanding than Kevin—more disciplined, mature, and likable to teachers. Kevin, at his core, was still a playful kid, lacking a strong desire to learn for himself, often needing Audrey and Alissa to use sex as a reward.
Sometimes, Abel's maturity made her heart ache, while Kevin could drive her crazy. But why was it this mischievous guy who had captured her heart? Was it just a coincidence?
Audrey's mind wandered through memories with Kevin. It didn't seem like a coincidence. If another boy had approached her that day, she probably wouldn't have let him walk her home.
Kevin, though a bit mischievous, gave off a comfortable vibe, like a younger relative being naughty. It was annoying but not hateful. She didn't know why she could tolerate Kevin's misdeeds.
For instance, his peeking at her changing, his close relationship with Vanessa, his affair with Alissa, and even his flings with other women. Maybe it was because Kevin could step up when it mattered, protecting her several times, making her naturally want to rely on him during her emotional void.
It was a woman's nature. With her husband gone, she needed someone to depend on. Kevin's timing was perfect—thick-skinned and bold, gradually earning Audrey's trust and entering her heart.
In theory, Abel's heroic rescue today was just like Kevin's protection of Audrey back then. But unfortunately, he came too late. Kevin had already taken a firm place in Audrey's heart, leaving no room for Abel. Of course, Abel never intended to enter Audrey's heart. That was the fundamental difference between him and guys like Ivan, Albert, and Sean.
Not every man who saw Audrey would have dirty thoughts. Abel was a very self-conscious boy. He didn't even have the courage to pursue Yasmine, let alone have any ideas about Audrey, who was a hundred times more beautiful.