After he finished applying the medicine, he didn't say much more and focused on tidying up.
The antiseptic felt cool on her skin, a bit itchy, and she couldn't help but glance at him.
Sensing something, he looked up.
Their eyes met unexpectedly.
Anna's heart raced as if it might leap out of her chest; she held her breath.
She had to admit, he was irresistibly attractive.
Jet-black hair, deep-set eyes, and a face that was both stern and handsome—commanding respect.
At this moment, his gaze was so direct, almost unabashed.
Yet his openness made her, the subject of his attention, feel uneasy.
She instinctively pulled her leg back, but his fingertips accidentally brushed her knee. The touch sent a warm current through her skin.
Anna's back stiffened slightly, and she quickly averted her eyes.
"Did you know? From birth until now, this is the first time I've ever done something like this for someone," he said, casually tossing the used cotton swab onto the tray and wiping his fingers with a tissue, a hint of distaste in his expression.
Anna looked up at him, momentarily puzzled.
She didn't quite understand his intent, her pretty eyes blinking softly.
Suddenly, he leaned closer, placing one arm on the sofa beside her. In that brief moment of distraction, he enveloped her completely.
Standing against the light, his tall frame cast her into shadow.
His breath drew near, and Anna's heart fluttered, feeling a sudden heat. Instinctively, she wanted to pull away.
"Why are you avoiding me?" His tone carried a hint of admonishment.
But more than that, it was teasing.
A blush spread from Anna's cheeks to her ears.
His rough fingertips gently grazed her earlobe, rubbing softly until it turned an even deeper shade of red.
He was too close, and Anna didn't know where to look.
Given their height difference, she felt small beneath him, a natural sense of intimidation.
Nervously, she looked up at him. "What are you doing?"
"What do you think? Just the two of us here," he replied, not touching her further but gazing at her intently.
His towering presence exerted a strong sense of pressure.
Even though the room's heating wasn't particularly warm, Anna felt as if she were drenched, her inner shirt clinging uncomfortably to her skin with sweat.
She looked up, meeting his dark eyes.
His expression revealed nothing, as if it were her imagination, but the psychological tension was undeniable.
Anna felt like a small animal trapped in a cage.
But upon closer look, those cold, emotionless eyes seemed to harbor some hidden undercurrent, making her uneasy.
"I... I should go," Anna's voice had softened considerably.
"After I helped you so much today, is it fair to just leave? Isn't that a bit ungrateful?"
Even with her head down, she could feel his piercing gaze fixed upon her.
Anna grew more anxious. "I already thanked you."
"Not enough," he said in a low voice.
Though his tone was gentle, she sensed an aggressive undertone.
Under normal circumstances, she might have retorted.
But her mind was a mess.
"So... what do you want?" As soon as she said this, her heart skipped a beat.
Sure enough, she heard him chuckle softly beside her ear, as if he'd been waiting for this.
The next moment, his warm breath was on her neck.
Her waist was grasped firmly, and with a gentle lift, she found herself perched on the armrest of the sofa.
Anna quickly clung to him to avoid falling.
Her legs dangled in the air, slender and graceful.
Although Anna had imagined such a moment, she hadn't expected it to happen so abruptly.
As clarity returned to her mind, she realized her hands were still resting on his shoulders, her palms feeling the firmness of his back muscles. Her face flushed anew.
She didn't know what material his shirt was made of; it felt cool and smooth to the touch, transmitting directly to her skin.
Instinctively, Anna wanted to withdraw her hands, but feared falling, leaving her torn and frustrated.
To others, this scene might have looked entirely different.
Daniel gazed down; her hair was already tousled, partially covering her fair face, like a white rose after a storm, evoking a surge of desire.
Some indecent thoughts became inevitable.
He acted on his impulses.
The next second, his slightly rough lips pressed against hers. Anna trembled, holding him even tighter.
At first, he simply traced her lips, like savoring a dessert—slow and deliberate. Then his warm tongue parted her lips, filling her small mouth.
Anna's breathing became erratic, and she quickly surrendered.
She felt like she was drowning, like a fish out of water desperately seeking oxygen, but all her breath was stolen by him.
She loved his scent, and the fiery roughness of his kiss brought her sensations she had never experienced.
But it wasn't enough to dispel her fear of the unknown.
She heard the soft click of a clasp being undone, followed by a brief release and then a gentle tightening as he held her.
There was an upward support from his hands, holding her firmly.
This was still his office.
Anna finally regained some clarity and shook her head to push him away, but her soft and timid voice could easily be mistaken for coyness.
"Please stop," she said with a hint of a sob, which finally halted his actions.
Her hair was disheveled, cheeks flushed—a pitiable sight.
She clutched her collar tightly with both hands.
In contrast, he remained impeccably dressed, his shirt neatly tucked into his belt, not a hair out of place.
Anna felt even more embarrassed.
Did he have a habit of teasing women in his office?
Seeing her wary and slightly angry expression, he regained some composure and reached out.
She watched him nervously.
But he merely chuckled silently and slowly buttoned up her undone blouse.
"Sorry, forgot this isn't the right place."
Anna's heart, which had just begun to calm, was once again thrown into turmoil.
His voice was low and captivating, polite and courteous, but his words left her speechless.
How could he be like this?
Taking a deep breath, Anna's tone hardened. "Can I leave now?"
"I'm afraid not yet."
She finally grew a bit angry, glaring at him. She'd never met someone so overbearing.
Daniel took out a coin, tossed it into the air, caught it, and closed his palm.
"Guess. If you're right, you can go."
Anna hesitated, looking at him. "And... if I'm wrong?"
Her eyes were a bit confused and slightly moist, looking rather pitiful.
He couldn't help but smile. "What do you think?"
Anna's heart raced as if a little deer were bounding inside her chest.
At this moment, she both hoped to guess correctly and incorrectly.
After watching her for a moment, Daniel suddenly smiled and withdrew his hand. "Never mind, I won't tease you anymore. You can go."
Anna was taken aback, hesitantly looking at him.
He had already returned to his desk, flipping through documents without raising his head. "Why aren't you leaving?"
Finally snapping back to reality, Anna fled the room.
The door closed with an abrupt echo.
After a while, Daniel couldn't help but chuckle, lowering his eyes and rubbing his brow.
Perhaps this was the only kindness he could offer.
Anna returned to her apartment, her heart still pounding.
She had to admit, Daniel was on a whole different level.
She wasn't his match at all; he easily manipulated her emotions while he remained in control the entire time.
She was somewhat afraid, yet her heart was no longer her own—it had flown to him.
Frustrated, Anna pulled the covers over herself, feeling utterly helpless.
"Anna, what are you doing in the middle of the night?" her roommate Lily tapped her from the lower bunk.
Anna suddenly remembered she wasn't alone in the room and quickly apologized, "Sorry."
Lily yawned. "Get some sleep; we have a show to record tomorrow."
"Okay," Anna replied hastily.