She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 837

Preston caught the way Melanie quickly pulled her hand behind her back, unconsciously rubbing the skin he had just touched. A slow, triumphant smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The water was the perfect temperature. He knew she had poured it specifically for him to soothe the alcohol in his system. He tipped his head back and drained the glass in one smooth motion.

"Did you have to chug the whole thing?" Melanie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Preston's lips parted slightly, his tone casual but his voice dripping with a raspy, magnetic heat. "It was delicious. Very sweet."

Their eyes locked, and the predatory hook in his gaze was unmistakable. Melanie instantly spun around and took a steadying breath. Thank God this suite had three separate rooms, because she wasn't entirely sure she could withstand his shameless flirting much longer.

He's an absolute siren, she thought bitterly to herself.

Suddenly, a wall of searing heat pressed against her back. By the time Melanie realized it was Preston's chest, his muscular arms had already caged her in.

Feeling her spine stiffen, Preston offered a slow, deliberate explanation. "Relax. I'm just putting the glass down."

True to his word, his arm reached past her to set the empty glass on the counter. But Melanie knew it was a thinly veiled excuse. He didn't need to press his entire body against hers just to put down a damn cup.

Yep. An absolute siren.

"Why do I get the feeling... you're cursing me in your head right now?" Preston murmured. His lips hovered agonizingly close to her ear, his hot breath grazing her skin and instantly flushing her earlobes a deep crimson.

"If you can hear me cursing you in my head, then back off!" Melanie snapped, turning around. The movement only highlighted how disastrously close they were—their bodies practically flush against each other.

She shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge an inch. Standing this close, Preston felt like an impenetrable fortress of solid muscle.

"Move. I'm going upstairs to sleep."

At her demand, Preston finally stepped aside. Melanie quickened her pace toward the stairs, her breath entirely too shallow and her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.

Gavin woke up to a splitting headache, his memories completely fragmented. He registered the high-end hotel room, which wasn't unusual in itself—he slept in hotels all the time.

He remembered refusing to drink with Dominic at The Velvet Orchid last night. He had been in a foul mood and just wanted to drink alone. He remembered wandering and drinking until he somehow ended up at the Eclipse Noir Club.

But after that? Total blackout.

Assuming he had simply gotten too drunk and booked a room, Gavin dragged himself out of bed. Massaging the stiff knot in his neck, he pulled open the bedroom door—and nearly crashed straight into a fully dressed Preston.

"Holy shit!" Gavin yelled, jumping back in sheer shock.

"Did we sleep together?!"

Preston: ...