Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3407

Marina couldn't help but scoff.

See? This was the true danger of a master player. Whenever he smiled at a woman, he made her feel like she was the absolute center of his universe.

In reality, he looked at every girl exactly like that.

She didn't bother trying to explain it further. Instead, she smoothly changed the subject, and the two friends spent the rest of the night catching up on their lives.

It was nearly midnight by the time the three of them finally left the bar.

The late autumn air had a sharp, biting chill to it. Without a word, Carson slipped off his tailored suit jacket and draped it over Marina's shoulders. When she instinctively tried to shrug it off, his large hand gently but firmly pinned her arm. "It's freezing. Just wear it."

Not wanting to make a scene in front of Erin, Marina stopped resisting.

Erin shot her a knowing, exaggerated wink, her eyes brimming with sheer envy.

Carson had already arranged for a private driver, and the sleek black car was idling by the curb, waiting to take Erin back to her hotel.

"Well, I won't pretend I'm not spoiled," Erin laughed, her face glowing. "Goodnight, you two."

Marina waved. "Get a good night's sleep. Text me if you need anything."

"See you tomorrow!" Erin hopped into the backseat.

As the car pulled away, Carson turned his dark gaze to Marina. "I'll take you home."

She politely declined. "I already ordered an Uber. It's pulling up right now."

He didn't push. "Text me when you get inside."

Marina nodded. Suddenly remembering her actual errand for the night, she quickly rummaged through her purse and pulled out an exquisite wooden box, handing it to him. "My mom recently acquired this antique bodhi seed meditation bracelet. I know Mrs. Foster is a devout Buddhist, so she wanted her to have it. Could you pass it along for me?"

"This is incredibly valuable," Carson murmured, glancing down at the box. A slow, devastating smile spread across his lips, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Since it's a gift from my future wife, I'll gladly accept it on my mother's behalf."

The alcohol had left a soft pink flush on Marina's cheeks. "It's from my mother," she corrected him strictly.

"It's fine. It's late, and I'm not thirsty. I'm just going to shower and crash."

"Alright. Go to sleep."

Marina nodded and headed up to her room.

She did smell like a bar. Grabbing her silk pajamas, she headed into the en-suite bathroom. She meant to just take a quick, relaxing soak in the tub to ease her tired muscles, but the warm water was too inviting, and she accidentally dozed off.

When she finally jolted awake, over half an hour had passed. She scrambled out of the tub, threw on a plush robe, and stepped out just in time to hear her phone buzzing frantically on the bed.

She snatched it up and answered. "Hello?"

Carson's voice was sharp and breathless. "Why weren't you answering? You terrified me! I was literally grabbing my keys to drive over there."

Marina froze.