Leon breathed hard, cursing the writer under his breath. "This damn writer…"
He looked down at Emma, her body barely managing to stay upright in his arms. "Okay, Emma, look at me," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm going to put you in the bathtub to cool you down. All you need to do now is keep your head clear... okay?" He cupped her cheeks softly, gazing deeply into her drowsy eyes, hoping for her to hold on just a little longer.
Her eyelids fluttered, and she nodded weakly although her gaze was still unfocused. It was clear she was barely hanging on, but Leon couldn't waste another second.
"Can you walk?" Leon asked softly, standing up carefully with Emma in his arms. He tried to set her down, but as soon as her legs nearly touched the ground, she wobbled. Before he could react, they both lost their balance, and Emma ended up on top of him, her face inches from his.
As he gasped for air, his chest heaving, he looked at her with concern. "Are you okay?" He gently tried to shift their position, but Emma cupped his cheeks, her gaze intense as she tried to focus on him.
"Who are you?" she mumbled, narrowing her eyes and closing the distance between their faces. "I told you, if Leon Gray finds out you're kidnapping me, you're dead..." Her words were slurred, and Leon could barely catch all of them.
"And who is this Leon Gray?" He smiled softly, his heart fluttering at her words, the way her small pouting lips formed them.
"Oh, Leon Gray?" Emma blinked slowly, her gaze unfocused. "He said he's my fiancé... hmm... yes! He is my fiancé..." She winced, pressing her hand to her forehead as if trying to remember.
Leon could feel the heat of her breath against his chest, her body soft in his arms. His heart raced. She was still close, her lips barely an inch from his. She wasn't completely herself, but she was still so close, so real.
"Emma," he whispered, his voice tight. "You need to stay still."
She shifted slightly, pressing against him more. Her eyes were cloudy, but they held something deeper now—a spark, a connection. She barely registered his words as she leaned in, her lips brushing his neck. The heat between them was too much, too intense to ignore.
He moved his hand to her cheek, gently tilting her head. "You sure you're okay?" His voice barely escaped.
"I... I don't know," she mumbled, her breath hitching. Her hand traced his chest, slow but messy. "But since you're here, I guess everything will be okay."
"No, Emma," Leon said quietly, his voice carrying an edge of urgency. "I'm the one you should be worried about right now..." His mind flashed to the scene he'd read, the one he was desperately trying to prevent.
Her eyes, still clouded with confusion, searched his face. "But... you saved me. I trust you... I feel safe with you." She smiled softly. "I think... I might even have started to like you."
"What do you mean…you might even have started to like me?" He almost whispered as his eyes gazed at her plump lips.
Before he could stop himself, Leon leaned in, his lips brushing against hers—tentative at first, like a question, a hesitation. But the moment their lips met, everything else in the room vanished. Her warmth consumed him, igniting something deep within, a rush he couldn't control.
She kissed him back, passionately, holding him closer as though trying to lose herself completely in his presence, seeking solace in the chaos of her emotions. The kiss deepened, desperate and urgent, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though time itself had paused, leaving only the two of them in the stillness.
A sharp chime broke the spell—the room's bell rang loudly, yanking them back to reality. Leon exhaled sharply, pulling away from her lips with a reluctant sigh. His gaze was filled with regret as he steadied her, his voice low and controlled.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, running a hand through her hair. "I lost control."
But it was Emma who seemed completely undone. The effects of the drug surged stronger, heightened by the adrenaline coursing through her. Her gaze was hazy, her movements restless, as though the kiss had only ignited the fire burning within her.
"Sir, is there a problem?" A faint voice came from outside, muffled by the door. "The doctor has arrived. Shall we come in?" his assistant pressed, concern evident in the tone.
Leon clenched his jaw, struggling to maintain his composure. "No!" he barked, his voice firm and commanding. "Stay there until I say so."
He glanced at Emma, her flushed cheeks and trembling body making his chest tighten. The situation was spiraling out of control, and he knew he had to act quickly. "Let's go," he said firmly.
Leon lifted her carefully and carried her to the bathroom. Without wasting time, he gently placed her in the bathtub. "Just hold on for a few minutes, okay?" he said, his tone softer now, trying to calm her.
He turned on the tap, and cold water started pouring into the tub, slowly surrounding her.
The sudden chill made Emma gasp sharply, her body jerking in reaction. "Cold!" she cried out, her voice shaky as she shivered. Her hand shot out, gripping his tightly, her wide, unfocused eyes pleading for help.
Leon held her hand firmly. "I know it's cold, Emma," he said gently, "But this will help. You just need to hang on a little longer." His steady voice was the only reassurance in the tense moment, as the icy water worked to cool her burning skin.
She resisted, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and trying to climb out of the tub. The sudden movement caught him off guard, and Leon was yanked forward, nearly falling into the tub with her.
"Hey…" he said, his voice still calm, though the tension was evident as he closed his eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. "Oh, gosh... help me..." he muttered under his breath, trying to maintain control of his sanity.
Her grip didn't loosen, and the cold water splashed around them as she clung to him desperately. Leon's shirtless frame hovered just above the waterline, his focus divided between calming her and keeping both of them from tumbling in completely.
"Emma," he said firmly, though his tone remained gentle. "You need to stay in the water, okay? I promise this will help." His hands carefully tried to loosen her grip, but her frantic movements only tightened it further.
"Don't leave me," she whispered, her voice trembling, her eyes unfocused as she buried her face against his shoulder.
"I'm not going anywhere," Leon said softly, his tone steady but laced with concern. "Okay, I'll stay with you... just promise me you'll stay calm."
He exhaled slowly, carefully stepping into the tub. The cold water sent a shiver through him, but he ignored it, gently moving her so she could lean back against him. Once she was settled, he pulled her close, cradling her protectively in his arms.
Leon closed his eyes, trying to quiet the storm in his mind. His muscles tensed as he reminded himself, 'Now you too, Leon Gray, don't even think about crossing the line. Not a single hand out of place.'