The Sway and Slide of Love

Noelle hadn't expected Hendrix to bring this up, so she was stunned for a moment. Then, she looked at him with confusion.

"I wanted to use the bathroom," he answered with a cheeky grin.

"Oh." Even though Noelle felt flustered, she still quickly stepped aside.

Hendrix, however, remained seated. Noelle looked at him, puzzled.

He chuckled and said, "My arm is injured. I can't even feed myself-do you think I can go to the bathroom on my own?"

Noelle's expression changed instantly. "W-What do you mean?"

Hendrix reached out and took her hand. "Help me," he said in a low and raspy voice.

Noelle immediately shook her head. "No way!"

As she spoke, she tried to pull her hand away.

But even with only one good hand, Hendrix's grip was still strong.

Not only did he not let go, but he slid his fingers through Noelle's and pressed his palm firmly against hers. The dry, burning warmth of his hand made Noelle's cheeks flush instantly. It was as if, at this moment, she wasn't holding his hand but something far more intimate.

"Let go!" Noelle said in a trembling voice, looking like she was about to cry.

Hendrix watched her, the smile on his lips growing wider. "You just said you'd take care of me, yet you won't help me now?"

"I never said I'd take care of you like this! Wait. When did I even say I'd take care of you?"

"You brought me soup and fed me. Isn't that taking care of me?"

"I—" Noelle wanted to argue, but in the next moment, Hendrix pulled her toward him.noveldrama

Noelle stumbled forward, almost falling onto him. Fortunately, she noticed the split on his arm in time and quickly braced herself against the bed frame to prevent herself from collapsing onto him.

Even so, the distance between them had become dangerously close. Noelle was leaning over him, her wide eyes reflecting Hendrix's current state.

He was wearing a hospital gown, and the lack of sleep had left his eyes slightly bloodshot. He smiled teasingly at her, but as soon as their gazes met, the smile slowly faded.

Even his grip on her hand loosened at some point, though Noelle didn't notice. She remained frozen, staring at him in a daze.

Soon, Hendrix cupped her cheek. It was different from when Noelle had held his hand earlier. When their hands had intertwined, she had felt the intense heat of his fingertips and palm. But now, as his palm rested against her face, she could feel a slight chill.

Then, she suddenly realized something and straightened her back in a bid to escape the suffocating closeness. But before she could move away, Hendrix whispered, "This isn't a dream."

She looked at him with bewilderment, not understanding what he meant. Just as well, she had questions she wanted to ask him.

But before she could say anything, Hendrix suddenly placed his hand on the back of her head and guided her face downward. Then, his lips met hers.

It was a feeling that was both

unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar. Her body reacted instinctively, but to Noelle, it felt as if an electric current had passed through her lips and a shiver through her entire being.

After that, her body started to melt, and even her wide-open eyes slowly closed in

that moment.