The Paper Wife’s Empire novel Chapter 312

"About Heath... thank you. But Mr. Covington, you can't just help someone halfway." Nova's main concern was confirming the details of her brother's transfer.

Holden had expected as much. He picked up his phone and forwarded her a text message. It was an enrollment notification for a new school. He had called a friend as soon as they got to the hotel; if there was one thing he had in Havencrest City, it was connections.

"This city is too small and remote anyway," Holden said, his tone casual. "It's not convenient for you to be so far from your brother. This way, you can look out for him."

He didn't even notice the uncharacteristic level of concern in his own voice.

"Alright. Thank you, Mr. Covington." Nova's reply was clipped. With Heath's future secured, she turned to leave.

"Hey," Holden called out as she reached the door. "Is that it? Such a cold thank you?"

"Is there something else, Mr. Covington?"

"I did you a pretty big favor..."

"And I told you, I have nothing to offer you in return," Nova cut in, her defensive posture snapping back into place. "Don't make this difficult."

Holden sighed in exasperation. "I know you have nothing to repay me with, and I'm not trying to make things difficult. But I've had a long day. Just... give me a back massage."

"A back massage?" Nova stared at him, his intentions written all over his face.

"I don't know how."

"It's fine, just press around a bit. My back is killing me," he said, walking over to the sofa and flopping down on his stomach. "There are no massage parlors around here, and I won't be able to sleep if my back hurts. Don't you have a conscience, Nova?"

"Mr. Covington," she said, trying one last time, "this is highly inappropriate."

"What's inappropriate about it? Consider it your way of repaying the favor. You don't want to be indebted to me, do you?" He glanced over his shoulder at her. "And relax. I told you I wouldn't touch you. Even if you begged to be my woman, you're more trouble than you're worth."

His words, though insulting, were oddly reassuring. With a deep breath, Nova walked over to the sofa, flexed her fingers, and pressed down on his lower back.

As if reading her mind, he added, "Thank you for not treating me like a complete monster today." He knew her well enough to know she wouldn't have let him interfere in her brother's affairs if she truly thought the worst of him. For some reason, even though he was the one who had done the favor, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

Nova was quiet for a moment. "Well, Mr. Covington," she said softly, "maybe you're not a complete monster."

The words were a lie, of course. He was a monster, and that would never change.

But he seemed to buy it. He chuckled, his shoulders vibrating beneath her hands.

"So, how did I do today?"

"Well..." She hesitated. "When you were helping Heath... you seemed very reliable."

"Just reliable?" He suddenly rolled over, the lapels of his robe falling open to reveal his well-defined collarbones. Nova found herself staring into his eyes. They were bright, and for a fleeting moment, the usual mischievous glint was gone, replaced by something almost... boyish.