Chapter 492 Eating Noodles Together
"What are you doing..." Ashley turned her head toward Ethan, startled as she met his intense gaze.
Ethan suppressed his emotions, his voice husky. "Giving you a massage."
Ashley felt embarrassed. He had started with a proper massage, but now it had become... something else. This man was constantly taking liberties with her!
"That's enough," she said firmly. "I need to rest. Your Highness should retire as well."
"You haven't had dinner yet," Ethan persisted. "I've had the maid prepare something. I'll leave after we eat."
As Ashley was about to protest, a maid knocked at the door. "Your Highness, the meal is ready."
"Bring it in," he replied.
The maid set up a table in front of Ashley and served a bowl of porridge with vegetables.
Ashley deflated at the sight. "Not this again."
"Pearl, please eat something."
"I've had porridge and vegetables for days. I'm tired of it. Could I have noodles instead? May I cook them myself?"
"You?" Ethan refused without hesitation. "Absolutely not. You're still recovering, and the soy sauce in noodles could leave scars on your wounds."
"I can make them without soy sauce... I really don't want porridge anymore."
"I'll have the maid make noodles."
"No, let me do it myself." Ashley moved her hand slightly. "Look, this hand has almost recovered. I can manage to make noodles."
Ashley had changed her bandages today. Only one hand had reacted poorly to the medication; the other, though injured, could move normally now.
Ethan firmly objected. "That's out of the question!"
Ashley bit her lip and looked at the porridge defiantly. "Then have them take this away. I'm not hungry."
As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly, causing her face to flush crimson.
"Not hungry?" Ethan looked at her with a mixture of exasperation and affection. "You're that determined to make your own noodles?"
"Yes."
"Can you even walk yet?"
"Let me try."
Ashley shifted her body slowly, wincing as pain caused her to break into a cold sweat. She gritted her teeth and continued until she adjusted to the pain, eventually managing to stand by the edge of the bed.
"Let me help you."
"Your Highness, there's no need. I can manage."
Ashley insisted on standing by herself. When she finally did, her eyes lit up with accomplishment. She attempted a step, but having been bedridden for days, she lost her balance and pitched forward.
"Careful!" Ethan lunged forward, catching her around the waist. They spun and fell back onto the bed with Ashley on top of him.
And then, unexpectedly... their lips met.
Ashley's eyes widened in shock as she tried to push away, but Ethan held the back of her head and deepened the kiss.
When she was nearly breathless, he finally released her. They both panted, gazing at each other from mere inches apart, their breath mingling in the charged atmosphere between them.
Ashley came to her senses, her face burning. "You... you..."
Her lips, reddened by his kiss, resembled a blooming rose.
Ethan's gaze darkened, his voice rough. "You initiated it. I merely followed through."
He grinned mischievously and couldn't resist stealing a few more kisses.
Ashley pushed against him. "Enough."
Their moment was interrupted by both of their stomachs growling in protest.
Ethan looked surprised, and Ashley couldn't help but laugh.
"Let me up," she said with unexpected coyness, unaware of how alluring she looked.
Ethan swallowed hard. His hunger wasn't for food, but for... He took a deep breath, suppressing his desire. "Pearl, if you're determined to cook, I'll come with you and help. I can't let you do this alone."
He helped Ashley to her feet and supported her as they walked. "Careful."
"I will be."
Ashley's heart raced as she recalled their kiss.
In the kitchen, Ethan rolled up his sleeves. "What can I do to help?"
"Could you fill the pot halfway with water?"
Ethan complied while Ashley prepared two bowls with different seasonings—one with sauce and one with just a bit of salt.
Minutes later, two steaming bowls of noodles were ready.
Ethan looked at them in delighted surprise. "Pearl, you made one for me too?"
Since their cooking competition, Ethan hadn't eaten properly. Looking at the noodles now, he suddenly felt ravenous.
"Yes," she replied softly. "Let's eat together."
"I'd love that," Ethan said, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
