Rural Belle & Three Heirs

Hearing Grant's question, Chloe hurriedly shook her head in denial. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with an unspoken plea. "No," she whispered.

"No? If not, why are you so scared that you're curling up into a ball?" Grant's voice was both gentle and probing as he reached out to touch Chloe's arm.

With her heart racing, Chloe's body trembled uncontrollably. Every time Grant's fingertips touched her, she felt electrified-nervous, excited, and filled with uncontrollable joy. She realized she must have developed a liking for Grant's body; otherwise, she wouldn't be so out of control.

"I'm not scared, Grantie, my leg just hurts a lot," she stammered, attempting to mask the real source of her discomfort by attributing it to a physical injury.

Hearing her words, Grant's concern immediately deepened. He knelt down to examine her leg more closely. "Does it hurt? Have you taken any anti-inflammatory medicine? If not, I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Without waiting for her response, Grant moved to lift Chloe into his arms, his determined concern apparent. "Let's go," he insisted, the urgency in his voice leaving no room for argument.

Chloe's eyes widened in surprise at his decisiveness. "Grantie, I'm fine, there's really no need."

At the moment when she was lifted into the air and held tightly by Grant, Chloe struggled desperately. She only sustained minor external injuries, which had been bandaged and didn't require a visit to the hospital.

Her resistance was futile against Grant's resolve. To him, any sign of pain in Chloe was a red flag. He had never forgotten the fear and heartbreak he felt when she had fainted in his arms in that cold, abandoned warehouse.

That was when he realized the depth of his feelings for her, a revelation that had shaken him deeply.

As Chloe continued to wriggle, Grant held firm. But their collective movements caused

a misstep; suddenly, they both tumbled onto the large bed in the bedroom. Chloe

landed with a soft thud beneath Grant, who instinctively tried to brace his fall.

In their tangled mess, Grant's warm lips accidentally brushed against Chloe's, a fleeting moment that lingered in the shared stillness of their breath.

Chloe's mind went blank. The intimacy of the unintentional kiss sent a shockwave through her, far more potent than any words could convey.

Just as Chloe reached out to push Grant off her, the intoxicatingly sweet scent radiating from her made him momentarily lose control. His movements became urgent, his lips capturing hers in a fierce, hungry kiss.

Chloe's initial instinct to resist was quickly overpowered by a rush of desire she hadn't anticipated. Pinned beneath him, her heart pounded as she realized how much she craved his touch. The warehouse incident flashed in her mind; Grant had been the person she thought of during those desperate moments.

Their bodies intertwined with a fervor that couldn't be contained, the room becoming a cocoon of raw passion, in which Chloe's arms found their way around Grant's waist, reveling in the feel of his firm, toned muscles beneath her palms. It was impossible to ignore how intoxicating it felt to hold him like this.

As their kiss deepened, their breath became ragged, and Chloe felt a surge of warmth spread through her a sensation she had long suppressed finally finding release.

The spell was abruptly shattered as Liam pushed open the door. His stunned expression froze the scene in an instant. Grant, lying on top of Chloe, their faces flushed and breaths heavy, were caught in this unguarded moment.

Chloe's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she hastily pushed Grant off, the atmosphere flipping from heated passion to awkward tension in a heartbeat.

Liam stood at the doorway, clearly at a loss for what to do next. He stammered, "Uh... you guys...?"

Grant, scrambling for an explanation, cleared his throat. "Actually... it was just a misunderstanding. I, uh, fell. Do you believe it?"

The flimsy excuse was laughable, his attempt at downplaying the situation only adding to the awkwardness. Chloe, mortified by the exposure, wished she could disappear when she heard his lame excuse. She yanked the blanket over her head, desperate to hide from the mortifying reality.

Facing the imposing figure of Grant, Liam dared not express his disbelief. Mechanically, he nodded. "I believe you, man. Sorry to, uh, interrupt. You guys can, you know, continue..."

With that, Liam turned and bolted down the stairs, unwilling to risk Grant's wrath for another second. He sprinted past Michael, who was adjusting his suit jacket, ready to head out.

Michael's brows furrowed as he watched Liam rush pell-mell down the stairs. "What's got you in such a hurry? Ghosts upstairs, or what?"

Liam grabbed Michael by the arm, pulling him aside into a quiet corner, breathless with excitement. "Michael, you won't believe what I just saw!"

Michael's curiosity was piqued. "What? What's going on?"

"Grant and that-uh-ugly girl, Chloe, were kissing. I mean, really going at it." Liam's eyes were wide with incredulity as he recounted the scene.

Michael's face contorted in shock. "You're telling me Grant and Chloe were kissing?"

"Yeah!" Liam cried, still struggling to process the sight. "One on top of the other, practically devouring each other. Michael, what the hell is going on? What's the deal with Grant and her?"

Michael's expression grew serious as he pondered the implications. "Liam, I thought Grant's taste couldn't be that out there. Chloe's not exactly gifted in the looks department. I figured Grant was doing us a favor, you know? He knew none of us wanted to marry Chloe, or ally with the Davis Family, so maybe he's taking one for the team."

Liam looked even more baffled. "Wait, you mean Grant's sacrificing himself for us by being with Chloe?"noveldrama

Michael nodded, his tone contemplative. "Yeah, think about it. Grant said he'd marry Chloe to keep the alliance between the two families. I thought he was just being dramatic. But if they really kissed like that... maybe he's serious. Maybe this is his way of ensuring our happiness, removing all obstacles."