In the private suite, bright sunlight streamed through the window, warmly wrapping the soft, white bed.
Dakota was still asleep.
Curtis propped his head up with one hand, his lips curled, watching the girl in front of him with great interest.
Dakota always looked sweet and serene while sleeping.
Her long lashes were slightly lowered, her jet-black, soft hair scattered across her slender, fair neck. When the sun shone on her profile, one could see the fine down on her cheeks if they leaned in closely.
Last night, Curtis had intended to carry her back to the room to continue kissing her, and maybe do a little more.
But unexpectedly, Dakota rushed to the bathroom to vomit as soon as she returned, her eyes and nose red from discomfort.
Curtis had to put those thoughts aside.
But his desires were still unfulfilled, and he feared that if he got any closer, he might lose all reason and take advantage of her while she was drunk.
So he ultimately didn't dare to do anything himself.
Instead, he called the front desk to help change Dakota out of her swimsuit, bathe her, and wrap her in a bathrobe to conceal her alluring body before handing her back to Curtis.
He barely slept.
He spent the whole night staring at Dakota in his arms.
Sometimes reaching out to pinch her ear, sometimes touching her lashes with his fingertips, and whenever he couldn't resist, he would lean in to kiss her nose tip or play with her little hand.
The sleeping, drunken Dakota was completely unaware of all this.
She even nestled closer into Curtis's embrace, and when her soft, steady breaths fell on his chest, he felt both tantalized and satisfied.
My wife just kissed me first!
I'm so happy!
My wife definitely likes me.
I'm thrilled!
Looks like I've got the green light to kiss my wife anytime!
I'm so pumped!
So Curtis couldn't help but feel itchy again.
Reaching out to curl the stray hairs by Dakota's ear, he then slid his knuckled hand into her hair, cupping the back of her head and pulling her into his embrace, lowering his head to kiss the top of her head.
Knock knock knock—
At that moment, a knock sounded on the door.
Curtis gently covered Dakota's ear with his hand, glanced towards the entrance, then got out of bed, lazily tying his bathrobe as he walked towards the door.
"Who is it?" He asked lazily.
Waiting outside was Jasiah, who hadn't dared to mention to Noe and Lailah that he suspected Dakota might be here, so he came to find Curtis first.
"Curtis," Jasiah called out.
Curtis lazily lifted his eyelid, leaning his left shoulder against the wall by the door, pushing it open casually.
Jasiah immediately stepped in.
Like a husband arriving early in the morning to catch someone in the act, he hurriedly looked around, eager to poke his head inside.
But Dakota was still sleeping inside.
Curtis naturally wouldn't allow another man to run around in his place, so he pushed Jasiah out, taking the cigarette box from the entryway cabinet as he did.
He lazily held a cigarette between his lips and closed the door behind him to keep the smoke in. 'If you've got something to say, say it here. If not, get out. Who do you think you are, just barging in like that?
Jasiah let out an annoyed tut.
He grabbed Curtis's cigarette box and took one for himself, "Alright, let me ask then, Dakota was here last night, right?"
Curtis clicked his lighter.
He was about to light his cigarette when he suddenly heard Jasiah ask this question out of nowhere.
His hand paused.
Curtis silently looked at him, then calmly lit the cigarette in his mouth, "No."
"No?" Alan watched them with suspicion.
His gaze lingered on Curtis's face, and with a casual glance, he noticed several scratch marks on his neck, peeking out from under the collar of his bathrobe.
"Dakota didn't return to her room with Lailah last night. Lailah was frantic this morning and is currently searching the hotel with Noe—she really wasn't here?"
This time, Curtis didn't respond.
He slowly blew out smoke rings, a lazy smile playing at the corners of his eyes, "If she doesn't want you to know she's here, then she's not here."
Jasiah: "..."
Alright, he got it.
Jasiah scolded him with his hands on his hips, "Curtis, you're something else. I mean, sure, you like Dakota, but taking advantage of her while she's drunk is pretty low, isn't it?"
"Who took advantage of whom?"
Curtis scoffed lazily, then pulled open his collar, "Do you think I suffered less?"
Jasiah: "..."
"Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with you. As long as she's here, it's better she's with you than with someone else."
Jasiah let out a sigh of relief.
But then he realized something was off, damn, that still means she was taken advantage of by someone.
Jasiah tutted, "I'll cover for you with Lailah and Noe for now, but you need to figure out how to get Dakota back to her room soon, or I won't be able to explain it later."
"She's still sleeping, I don't want to wake her up."
Curtis leaned against the wall lazily, "Later, when she's had enough sleep, I'll explain to Lailah myself."
Jasiah: "..."
He looked at Curtis speechlessly, wanting to punch him for his smug and satisfied expression.
But before Jasiah could say anything else,
Voices suddenly came from the hallway, "Did you find her? Did you find her? I searched everywhere and couldn't find her!"
"No."
Lailah arrived, panting, "The front desk said Dakota didn't check into a room last night, but someone saw a man carry her away!"
"Damn!"
Noe exploded, "Who? Which bastard! Did they find out? Once we find whoever took advantage of Dakota, I'll break their nose!"
