I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325

George was terrified that it had all been just a dream. He feared that Rhea would still be with Carter when he opened his eyes.

Rhea’s heart skipped a beat for no reason.

She couldn’t tell if it was pity or something else, but she lifted her hand and gently brushed his eyes. “Didn’t sleep well?”

Her touch sent a jolt through George’s chest. His voice was still husky as he said, “I didn’t sleep at all.

Rhea took a slow breath. “Get some sleep, then.”

George just looked at her without moving an inch.

Meanwhile, she was trapped in his arms, unable to budge. But she didn’t struggle. Instead, she settled against him and patted his arm. “Sleep. I’ll stay with you.”

His gaze deepened. “You’ll stay with me?”

“You don’t want me to?”

“You can’t leave.”

Rhea smiled. “I won’t.”

She never broke her word to the kids, and she wouldn’t with George either.

Maybe exhaustion finally caught up with him, because his breathing turned steady just minutes after he closed his eyes.

Rhea lay in his arms, catching the faint scent clinging to his shirt.

She realized that she didn’t feel the slightest resistance to being this close to George. She even caught herself thinking that his kisses weren’t bad.

By noon, Rhea couldn’t lie there anymore. She wanted to get out of bed and freshen up.

But the moment she moved, George’s eyes snapped open. His gaze was sharp and dangerous.

A few seconds passed before he seemed to realize what was happening. “Where are you going?”

“To wash up.” Rhea pointed toward the bathroom. Her voice softened without her meaning to. “Do you want to go back to sleep?”

George checked his watch.

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Chapter 325

+25 BONUS

It was already 12:30 pm, and Rhea hadn’t had a bite to eat. And so, he pushed himself upright and grabbed his phone to send Frankie a quick message.

Rhea slipped into the bathroom.

20 minutes later, she came out looking refreshed. And what greeted her was a brand–new George.

Her eyes lit up with surprise, and there was something thoughtful in her gaze. “Where did you get the clothes?”

“Frankie brought it to me.

George wore a fitted turtleneck that showed off his build.

Catching the heat in her glance, George curved his lips into a faint smirk. He didn’t mind that Rhea admired his looks. He said, “Come eat.”

Rhea followed along. “You probably didn’t get enough sleep.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m used to it.”

At the dining table, a feast spread across most of the surface.

George stepped a little farther away and lit a cigarette. “Lauren’s apology press conference is at 3:00 pm. You’ll have time to finish eating before heading over.

Rhea was surprised. “She agreed to apologize publicly?”

She had thought that with Lauren’s personality, she would do everything possible to avoid doing so.

In fact, Lauren had flat–out refused to accept it at first. But last night, George had called Dexter. So this morning, Lauren had contacted Marcus, saying that she would go through with the public apology.

There was no way she would disobey Dexter, especially when he still had photos and videos from their past.

As Rhea ate, her eyes drifted to the man smoking by the window. She lifted her hand, beckoning. Come here,”

George couldn’t remember anyone ever using that gesture on him. But this time, he didn’t seem to

mind.

As he walked over, he held the cigarette away from her. He hadn’t smoked all night with her around. This was the first one.

“Sit and smoke. I don’t mind the smell,” Rhea said.

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Chapter 325

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

Rhea dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “With you, it’s fine.”

Something shifted in George’s gaze.