Averi woke up late, opened the door, and saw Denise standing beside Dallas, her forehead almost touching his arm.
Seeing her, Denise stepped back half a step, guilty, and loudly said, "Averi, I can't solve a math problem, I asked Dallas to help me."
After saying that, she regretted it: Why did she feel the need to explain? Averi was just Dallas' employer.
Averi smiled kindly.
Dallas, not understanding the girl's thoughts, stepped forward to check her calf when she came out.
"How does it feel? Does it hurt badly?"
"It's okay, I can bear it."
Dallas' movements became gentler, "The medicine in the first-aid kit is finished. I'll go buy some now, and change your dressing after lunch."
Averi said, "Okay."
This scene made Denise uncomfortable, not just out of jealousy, but also feeling sorry for Dallas.
In her mind, Dallas was perfect, a towering figure. How could such a person kneel before a woman to care for her?
Averi noticed Denise's look of dejection and asked, lowering her eyes, "Are you done explaining the problems?"
Dallas stood up, "Yes, Denise, do you have any more questions?"
"I do, there are a few more I don't understand."
Dallas said, "I'll go buy the medicine. Why don't you ask Averi? She's very good at her studies."
The girl's disappointment was obvious, but since she had suggested it, she said, "Oh, okay, Averi, wait a moment, I'll get my notebook of mistakes."
After she disappeared behind the door, Averi raised an eyebrow and asked, "How do you know I'm good at my studies? Did you check on me?"
Dallas glanced at her, not saying a word.
He had indeed checked.
Before his first visit to the Forbes family to meet her, he had already gathered information about her and her family. There wasn't much public information available about her, but the most notable detail was that she was a graduate of H University.
It was a standard procedure, knowing both oneself and the other.
But now, looking into her playful eyes, he found it hard to admit.
He said nothing, and Averi didn't press him. Just then, Denise came out with a notebook, and Averi focused on solving problems.
Denise had initially made up problems just to get Dallas's attention, but she didn't expect Averi to explain them so well. The more she listened, the more engaged she became, turning into genuine questions, one after another.
"Thank you, Averi, I didn't know you were so good at math." Realizing she might have misspoken, she hurriedly added, "I didn't mean it that way, I—"
Averi smiled. "I know."
Denise looked at her, her eyes beginning to shine, her young face flushing red. Her eyelashes fluttered a few times before she finally gathered the courage to say timidly, "Averi, I've known Dallas for years. The first time he came to my house, I was still in middle school."
Averi waited quietly for her to continue.
Denise forced a smile and laughed as if it didn't matter. "Haha, actually, he was my first love, but he doesn't know."
Her voice wavered, betraying her nervousness.
Averi couldn't say she disliked Denise's little confession; it was too innocent.
After dealing with so many ruthless people who'd tear you apart without a second thought, running into a feisty little kitten is actually kind of charming.
She asked, as expected, "Why didn't you tell him?"
"I wanted to wait until I got into J City University to tell him," Denise said anxiously, her eyes darting across Averi's face, searching for any hint of a reaction.
Averi's expression didn't change as she spoke words of encouragement. "Good luck. If you get in, let me know. I'll treat you to a celebration."
Denise froze for a moment, then looked at her for another two seconds before her smile brightened, and she nodded vigorously. "Yes, thank you, Averi."
She thought simply: since Averi showed no reaction, it must mean she and Dallas weren't involved. If someone liked a person, they'd obviously be unhappy if others had feelings for them. That was only natural.
With the threat of a rival ruled out, Averi suddenly became the perfect idol in Denise's eyes: beautiful and smart. Denise let down her guard and curiously asked, "Averi, do you have someone you like?"
Averi gave a slight smile. "No."
Denise thought for a moment, then giggled. "You must have really high standards, which makes sense. "But I bet you've got plenty of admirers."
Averi said, "Not really."
Denise exclaimed, "No way! You're so beautiful and come from such a good family. The list of people who want to date you could stretch across the country!"
Averi brushed it off with a smile.
There were indeed many who pursued the third child of the Forbes family, but none who pursued Averi.
Dallas used the excuse that Averi's leg wasn't fully recovered to stay at the Ralph's house for two more days.
The reason was a bit flimsy, but neither the elder nor the younger asked any questions.
Since Ralph often undertook special missions, the Curtis family was used to the unspoken details and unusual circumstances.
During these two nights, Dallas stayed with Averi until she fell asleep before returning to his own room.
They embraced and kissed, nothing more, just kissing.
Averi liked the way he would suck on her tongue with fierce intensity, giving her a sense of reality. She also liked how he would pant heavily and suddenly pause, his throat swallowing audibly, his hardness pressing against her, while his lips moved gently, rubbing against hers.
Amidst their close, intimate moments, she suddenly thought of Denise.
One day, the man who was kissing him would press the shy little girl under him and kiss her all night long?
The inexplicable thought annoyed Averi, who hugged Dallas and deepened the kiss. His leg was about to move, but he tightly held it in place.
"Watch your wound."
His voice was hoarse, and Averi listened with itchy ears.
"Then help me with it. "She licked his Adam's apple and as she spoke, her tongue stirred her saliva, creating a faint sound of water.
He was injured on his back, she was injured on her calf, and the two could only lie on their sides facing each other. Desire had no outlet, and Dallas held onto her lips, licking and sucking desperately. With one hand tightly wrapped around her injured leg, he firmly forbade her from moving.
Averi pulled his other hand and crawled into his underwear, then turned his head to lick his ear, making him wet like himself.
