Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 301

Luke Holloway was like a wild animal—dangerous, untouchable—except when it came to Selene Thompson. Only she could get close to him; everyone else kept their distance.

“So, you’re really her boyfriend? You might be able to fool the world, but don’t start believing your own lie,” Adrian Shaw snapped, glaring at Luke.

Just as Adrian was about to fire back with another retort, Selene reached over and tugged gently at his sleeve. When Luke met her gaze, his hard eyes softened, his whole face brightening with a rare, unrestrained smile.

“I’ll do whatever you say,” he murmured. “Anything you want.”

Adrian’s voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket, lingering in the air. Swallowing his pride for Selene’s sake, he took a deep breath and forced himself to let go.

He could fight for her, he could take on the world for her. And yet, for her, he could also choose not to fight at all.

“Your brother’s the real expert when it comes to patching up bruises and sprains. I’ll leave Selene in his capable hands. I know, as her boyfriend, I can’t really compare to family.” He paused, drawing out the word “family” with heavy emphasis, making his point crystal clear.

Luke’s expression darkened noticeably.

Adrian lowered his head and lifted Selene’s slender wrist with a gentleness that bordered on reverence. Selene stifled a laugh deep in her throat; it was just a minor bruise, nothing serious, yet Adrian treated her as if she were made of glass.

She was well past the age where a scraped knee meant tears and cuddles, but being cared for so tenderly filled her chest with a wild, giddy energy, as if her heart were pumping liquid fire through her veins.

“When you get home, take a hot shower and get some rest. If you’re worried you won’t be able to sleep, you can have your brother stay over. Just make sure he sleeps in the living room. I mean, I could always sleep on the floor outside your bedroom door, but I know you’d feel bad for me. You’re not like your brother—he’s tough as nails, he’ll be fine. Just remember to lock your bedroom door tight; I wouldn’t want his snoring to keep you up all night.”

Luke jammed his hands in his pockets, resisting the urge to sew Adrian’s lips shut with a needle and thread.

After Leo Vaughn left and Adrian said his goodbyes, Luke accompanied Selene back home. At the entryway, while changing her shoes, Selene noticed a little message scribbled on the whiteboard.

“For breakfast tomorrow, I want Mom’s special chicken soup!” Daph had even drawn a cartoon version of herself, clutching a bowl, eyes sparkling like stars.

Selene picked up the marker and wrote “ok” beside the note.

She bit down on a towel, pressing her face into the back of the couch, cheeks flushed red. Luke noticed even her ears had gone rosy.

His hands were steady and strong, his touch surprisingly deft. Soon, warmth spread through her wrist, the ache easing with every careful movement.

Selene gripped the leather of the sofa, nearly tearing the cushion as the heat seeped in. Finally, she turned her head to see Luke laying a warm towel across her hand. His palms were broad, fingertips calloused, but he seemed completely unfazed by the heat.

“What’s so funny?” Luke asked, head down, never looking at her, but somehow knowing she was smiling at him.

Selene admitted, “I was just thinking about something Adrian said earlier.”

Adrian could be such a pain—calling Luke “tough as nails” like that.

“Do you think about him often?” The question slipped out before Luke could stop himself. He realized instantly that, as her older brother, he was crossing a line by prying into his sister’s private life.