Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3523

Trixie walked over, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized Carson. "Mr. Foster? What are you doing here?"

Back at the club, Marina had introduced him to Trixie and Summer simply as Mr. Foster.

Carson gave a curt nod. After nearly losing Marina in the wreck, he was far from his usual relaxed self. He offered a polite but brief acknowledgment.

The police arrived shortly after, followed by the insurance adjusters, who began assessing the damage and fault.

Carson effortlessly took charge, handling all the logistics for Marina. Watching the man work, Colby took note of Carson's impeccably tailored clothes and his commanding, undeniable presence. He leaned in and whispered to Trixie, "Is that Marina's fiancé?"

Trixie watched Carson wait on Marina hand and foot and shook her head. "No. Just some guy we met at a bar."

Colby smirked, reading between the lines. "Met at a bar? Looks like they've gotten pretty close since then."

Trixie sighed. "Her actual fiancé is cheating on her. Marina is probably just sleeping with this guy to get back at him."

"Ah, an open relationship, then?" Colby mused.

Trixie just shrugged.

Since Marina had been rear-ended and pushed into the intersection, fault was easy to establish. The paperwork was filed quickly. Trixie and Colby left, and Marina climbed into the passenger seat of Carson's sleek car to head home.

Once they stepped into her apartment, Carson flipped on the lights. He turned to her, his sharp gaze scanning her from head to toe, before gently brushing her damp hair back. "Go take a shower. Then we'll put some ointment on that scratch."

"Okay," Marina murmured, turning toward her bedroom.

"Wait." Carson dug through a first-aid kit on the shelf and peeled open a waterproof bandage, carefully placing it over her cheek. He couldn't help but smirk at the slightly comical look on her face. "Alright, go on. Make it hot, but don't stay in too long."

Marina knew he was teasing her. She shot him a glare before walking away.

Stepping under the scalding spray of the shower, she slicked her wet hair back. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop replaying the image of Carson striding toward her in the freezing rain, his face taut with sheer panic.

The hot water made her chest tingle. She closed her eyes, trying to wash away the sudden, overwhelming flutter in her stomach.

The dull ache made Marina instinctively try to pull away, but Carson brought his other hand up, cupping her jaw to hold her in place. He leaned in closer, blowing a soft breath over her bruised skin. "There. Doesn't hurt as much now, does it?"

The ointment was already cooling, and the feeling of his breath brushing against her skin sent a sudden, electric shiver straight down her spine. Marina's mind went completely blank. Every witty retort vanished from her head.

As their eyes locked, Carson's gaze darkened into something predatory and thick with heat. His palms were scorching against her face. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in, his lips inching toward hers.

Marina's breath hitched, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sudden pounding on the door shattered the heavy sexual tension in the room.

Carson let out a frustrated sigh. Refusing to be totally denied, he leaned in and pressed a firm, searing kiss to her lips before finally pulling back to answer the door.

Marina let her long lashes flutter shut, exhaling a shaky breath she didn't realize she was holding, and quickly busied herself packing up the first-aid kit.