Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 46:

The sudden contact sent a spark racing up Maia’s arm, making her shiver. “Had a good night out?” he asked, his voice casual — but there was something cold buried underneath. Panic flooded Maia’s mind.

“Oh no… This is bad. He probably thinks I went out hiring gigolos!” Maia muttered to herself.

They had only just gotten married, and this was what he witnessed? The misunderstanding was absolutely ridiculous.

Even though she had never meant to treat the marriage as anything more than an arrangement, Maia still planned to stay faithful for as long as it lasted.

“Mr. Cooper, if I told you it’s not what you’re thinking, would you believe me?” Maia asked softly, her eyes blinking up at him.

Her mind remained sharp, but the whiskey left her feeling both lightheaded and… oddly cheerful.

Chris lowered his gaze to meet hers.

A flush colored her cheeks, softening her normally guarded expression into something almost tender.

Chris felt his throat tighten as he watched her.

Without thinking, he closed the distance between them.

Maia instinctively stepped back, wary. She kept retreating until her legs hit the edge of the sofa, and she dropped into it with a soft thud.

Chris leaned down, bracing his hands on either side of her, trapping her without touching.

His gaze darkened, pulling her under.

Before she could even react, his voice brushed against her ear, low and rough.

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“Which one do you like?”

Maia blinked, her face clouded with confusion. “What?”

Instead of answering, Chris caught her hand and guided it beneath the hem of his shirt.

The heat of his skin against her fingertips made her jolt, instinctively trying to pull back.

But Chris tightened his hold and pressed her palm against his firm, sculpted abs.

Lowering his head until his lips grazed her ear, he murmured, “Mine or theirs?” His breath warmed her skin as he added, his voice dipping even lower, “Which one feels better?”

Maia had never experienced this level of embarrassment before.

The moment she saw Chris’ expression, it hit her — he’d definitely seen the abs photo on her phone. And judging by that sharp glint in his eyes, the man looked like he’d just been challenged to a shirtless duel.

“Mr. Cooper, you’ve got it all wrong! I swear I didn’t hire a gigolo!” The words flew out as she jerked her hand back, as if she’d touched a live wire.noveldrama

Chris chuckled low in his throat, one brow arched with effortless mischief. “Did I say you did? Funny how you just confessed without any prompting.”

Maia’s face flushed so fast that it looked like someone had lit a match under her skin. She shoved him away, a flustered mess, puffing up like a cornered kitten trying to appear tough.

It wasn’t Chris she was angry at. It was herself — for letting him toy with her so easily and getting swept up in it.

Chris stood tall, lips curving into a sly grin. “Next time you’re in the mood for abs, just come to me. I guarantee you won’t be let down.”

Her heart stuttered in her chest. The air between them felt heavier, her cheeks heating with the tension. Flailing to regain composure, Maia shot up from the couch. “It’s late — I should wash up. You should probably call it a night too.”

Without waiting for a reply, she darted into the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

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