Chapter 1065 - 550: Do You Want Me to Stay with You?

"Paris?" Joshua Hughes parted his lips slightly, asking in a gentle voice, "What are you going to do in Paris?"

:"There’s a medieval jewelry exhibition there these days. Beckett wants to take me to see it." She withdrew her small hand and touched her forehead, feeling as if her temper was about to rise, but she couldn’t quite get angry. The feeling was so strange; she clearly had the freedom to go wherever she wanted, but when she said she would go to Paris with Beckett, her heart felt guilty, as if she had done something wrong. She didn’t know why, but whenever she was with him, her emotions seemed uncontrollable.

Joshua Hughes fell silent, appearing to be pondering something carefully, then gently asked, "How many days will you be gone?"

:"Two or three days..." Avery Jane replied gloomily. He didn’t react as dramatically as she’d imagined. Maybe she was overthinking. But she had clearly seen the momentary drop in temperature in his eyes.

:"This time of year, Paris is colder than here. Bring some extra clothes, alright?" His voice was increasingly husky, his eyes deep like a starlit night.

Her emotions finally began to settle, watching him drive, looking focused and handsome, truly captivating...

:"What time is your flight tomorrow? Shall I take you?" Joshua Hughes expertly parked the car as they arrived at the restaurant, opened the car door, and led Avery Jane out by the hand.

:"No need, Beckett said he’d come and pick me up tomorrow." It was so early, how could she let him come to pick her up? His new company should be incredibly busy now.

The restaurant was one he had reserved early, and the dishes were chosen in advance. After Josh Hughes seated her, he stepped outside to make a phone call.

She curiously observed the restaurant, which was very exquisite; even the tableware was meticulously selected, with crystal glasses for water adorned with simple gold-lined patterns, noble and elegant. Before she could fully take in the surroundings, her phone rang.

:"Eliza, what’s up?" She was wondering if Eliza was close to coming home at this hour. Perhaps invite her to join for dinner? What was this restaurant called? She glanced at Josh Hughes, who had just finished his call and was walking toward her.

:"Sister, I have something going on tonight and won’t be home. Be careful. There have been two robberies near our place recently, so be extra cautious, got it?" Eliza Bell’s voice was alluring and melodious, her words always lingering in the air.

:"I got it. You stay safe too." Avery Jane hung up the call, looking at the man opposite. His deep-set eyes were fixed on her, holding a captivating glint.

Dinner was very enjoyable. The dishes he ordered suited her taste, and the desserts were exceptionally crafted, making Avery Jane almost close her eyes in delight as she took her last bite.

:"You love sweets so much, yet you haven’t gained any weight." He looked at her small face, which would bunch up into a tiny ball when she was upset.

She wasn’t actually thin, she just appeared slender in clothes. She felt she had a fair amount of flesh.

:"But where it matters, you’re quite satisfactory..." His voice was hoarse and low, filled with ambiguity, making her heart tickly.

She remained silent, enjoying her favorite fragrant red tea after dessert, Joshua Hughes’ handsome brow relaxed. His voice was warm and gently concerned, asking, "Who called just now?"

:"It was Eliza. She has something going on today and won’t be home." The rich and pure Ceylon Red Tea slipping into her stomach felt so comforting, alleviating the slight sweetness from the generous dessert.

Tonight she needed to pack her bags, since international flights required quite an early start. She had to rest early tonight. She placed her cup down and said to Joshua Hughes, "I want to go home early today to arrange my luggage."

Downstairs at the apartment, the streetlights were already lit. Avery Jane opened the car door and got out. Just as she was about to wave goodbye to Joshua Hughes, she realized he was also following her out of the car, his tall figure appearing particularly upright under the moonlight and streetlights.

"I’ll walk you upstairs. I heard this neighborhood hasn’t been very safe lately." The greenery in the neighborhood was well-done, the wind rustling through the bushes creating a gentle sound. Usually, Avery Jane would find it beautiful and poetic, but today, after Eliza Bell mentioned it and Joshua brought it up again, she couldn’t help but feel a chill on her skin. Watching the bushes sway, it seemed as if someone could be hiding there, and her face turned pale for a moment as she nodded.

With a "ding," the elevator doors opened, and a strong smell of alcohol greeted them. In the hallway, two burly men seemed to be dead drunk, burping and slumped on the ground, their bleary eyes watching Avery Jane pass by. Suddenly, one of them extended a hand, trying to grab Avery Jane’s leg, scaring her almost to the point of screaming...

The man beside her pulled her into his embrace, a warm and secure sensation, carrying a strong male scent and a faint, familiar musk that enveloped her gradually. It inexplicably made her feel at ease, as her delicate white hand trembled slightly while searching for keys in her bag. Joshua Hughes gently wrapped her small hand in his large one, took the keys from her, and inserted them into the lock with precision. With a "click," the door opened. Avery Jane hurriedly shut the door, blocking out the crude and obscene curses outside, as well as the pervasive, nauseating smell of alcohol.

Taking a deep breath, she thought it was terrifying—how could two dreadful drunks suddenly show up in an apartment with such high rent? The thought of the large hand that tried to grab her leg made her heart race. She walked to the kitchen counter, poured a cup of hot water, and only woke up when she took a sip, realizing Joshua Hughes was sitting on the sofa, lazily stretching his long legs, his eyes like obsidian watching her, his sexy thin lips almost clenched into a line.

"You live here?" His voice is always deep and pleasant, with a magnetism that drifted into her eardrums in such a night, making her whole body tense and full. The hot water, with its faint mist, blurred her vision as she tried to see the charming light in his eyes through the mist...

"It’s not usually like this..." She vaguely understood what Joshua Hughes meant; he thought the place was not safe at all. Avery Jane lamented inwardly—this really was the first time she encountered such a situation, but it happened to be in his presence.

"Rest up, you have to catch a flight tomorrow. I’m going back. If anything happens, you know to call me, right?" Joshua Hughes’s tall and sturdy figure rose from the sofa, and suddenly a loud "bang" came from outside, jolting Avery Jane. Her hand shook, spilling water onto her clothes.

A large patch on her chest was soaked, darkening Joshua Hughes’s eyes, suppressing his inner impulses...

Her figure was slender and captivating, her face turning pale from the sound, looking pitiful: "Joshua Hughes..."

In a daze, she softly called his name. Such a gentle, slightly trembling and unguarded calling of his name made his heart flutter, as if something full was about to overflow. The depths of his eyes couldn’t hide the intense affection.

She still stopped him, with deep-seated emotion and gratitude in his heart: "What is it? Do you want me to stay with you?" He walked over, his strong arms lightly embracing her, lowering his head to rest his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse, with warm breath brushing against her face: "Don’t be afraid, as long as I’m here, you don’t need to fear anything..."

A warm feeling swept over her from all directions, and she couldn’t resist such warmth. Her eyes, like water, gazed at him, biting her lip as she nodded. She truly felt scared and a little reluctant, not wanting him to leave. Perhaps before, she was a bit wary of him, had some resistance, but those past events couldn’t match him shielding her and blocking the frightening edge of the blade. She confirmed that this man truly fell for her.

Her eyes were slightly moist, letting him gently tuck the strands of hair falling on her cheeks behind her ear, his warm lips lightly kissing her cheek: "You go take a nice hot shower, don’t worry about anything. I’m here..."

He said not to worry, he was there. It was the most beautiful sentence she heard in a long time. The fear, tension, and unease vanished instantly. Perhaps she had gotten used to this man’s care from long ago; that’s why she naturally wanted to ask him to stay. Luckily, he was willing to accompany her, luckily he agreed, otherwise she truly wouldn’t dare to sleep tonight, fearing that those two drunkards might break in and do something terrible.

"Then you sit there, there’s tea, watch the TV yourself..." Avery Jane said as she moved into her room, feeling uncomfortable with her wet clothes sticking to her. She thought to quickly change out of them.

The bedroom door soon closed. Her slender and graceful figure disappeared inside the door while outside, a flash of light passed through the man’s eyes, his lips softly curving into a satisfied smile.

He always had a way to gradually invade her life; if Beckett Wright wanted to occupy all her days, then he’d stay in every one of her nights.

This battle was actually quite simple, but he continued to fight it seriously because it related to Avery Jane. He wouldn’t take any chances with anything that had to do with her; even if the likelihood of his opponent winning was nearly zero, he would advance cautiously.

What he wanted was a hundred percent victory.