---- Chapter 4 Erin Calhoun POV: Heat flooded my body, a dizzying rush that left my ears ringing. | couldn' t believe the words he' d just spoken, couldn' t reconcile the ruthlessly controlled Harvey Hurst | knew with the man whose breath was hot against my skin. My ears burned, and the blush spread down my neck, across my chest. | tried to push him away, to create some space, but he just captured my face in his hands and kissed the sensitive skin of my earlobe, sending a fresh wave of shivers through me. "They' re coming back," he murmured, his voice a low vibration against my skin. My head snapped up. Through the windshield, | could see Carlton and Brande walking back towards the car, their figures illuminated by the headlights. | shoved Harvey away with a strength | didn' t know | possessed and scrambled back to my side of the car, pulling the blanket up to my chin and pretending to be asleep. My lips tingled, swollen and tender. The feeling was a constant, physical reminder of what had just happened. It felt ---- like a brand. Fumbling in my purse, | pulled out my compact mirror. My lips were a mess-puffy, red, my lipstick smeared. It looked exactly like I' d just been thoroughly kissed. | shot a glare at Harvey. "My lips," | mouthed silently, my voice a panicked whisper. "They're swollen because of you." He calmly put on his glasses, his expression unreadable once more. He simply pointed a finger toward his own lap. | followed his gesture, my eyes widening in shock. Even in the dim light, the prominent bulge in his tailored trousers was impossible to miss. "You're supposed to be a cold, emotionless academic," | hissed, my cheeks burning for an entirely different reason now. "I'm a man, Erin," he said, his voice back to its usual cool monotone as he adjusted his glasses. In an instant, the passionate man from moments ago vanished, replaced by the stoic, self-contained doctor. That transformation, that stark contrast, sent a secret thrill through me. There was something intoxicating about being the only one to see the fire beneath his icy exterior. |' d always been drawn to the challenge of conquering the unattainable. As Carlton and Brande got closer, Harvey reached into his ---- briefcase and pulled out a bag of spicy chips. "Here," he said, tossing them into my lap. "Pretend you were eating these." "Why pretend?" | grumbled, my stomach actually rumbling at the sight of food. "It's junk food," he stated flatly, as if that explained everything. | muttered under my breath and tore open the bag, but before | could take a single chip, he snatched the bag from my hands and dropped it into a waste pouch attached to the seat back. The car doors opened. Brande slid in, her eyes immediately zeroing in on my face. "Erin! What happened to your mouth? It's all red." | feigned a casual nonchalance | was far from feeling. "Oh, these chips Harvey gave me were super spicy. My lips are burning." Brande giggled, a malicious glint in her eyes. "It looks more like you were making out with someone." Carlton slid into the driver's seat, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me in the rearview mirror. "What's she talking about?" His gaze shifted from me to Harvey, and something in his expression softened, the suspicion replaced by a dismissive flicker. "Don't be ridiculous, Brande." "But look at her!" Brande insisted, her voice rising. "She looks like she's been..." ---- "That's enough," Harvey's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold as ice. He looked directly at Brande. "I gave her the chips. She had an allergic reaction. End of story." Brande recoiled as if struck. "Harvey..." "Don't call me that," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're not that close." A dark blush stained Brande' s cheeks. She looked utterly humiliated, tears welling in her eyes as she turned to Carlton for support. But Carlton was staring at Harvey, his own expression a mixture of fear and deference. He didn't say a word. He wouldn't dare. Brande was trapped. She knew she couldn' t challenge Harvey Hurst. His family held a higher status, a power that made her own social standing seem insignificant. The hierarchy was absolute. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!