Lewd System: Every Scream and Moan is EXP Chapter 296 : Perfect Pair

"You fool." Her tone sliced sharply through the bandages still covering him. "What on earth were you thinking during that arena fight? Do you realize how anxious I became?"

"You were out there having a blast while wrecking your body. Meanwhile, I sat in the stands, feeling every blow. Can you imagine how tough it was for me to stay put instead of charging in to handle it myself?"

She examined his form closely. Bandages covered nearly every exposed area. Bruises stacked upon bruises. Faintly glowing healing runes adorned his chest. He resembled someone who had been run through a meat grinder and then clumsily wrapped up by an amateur.

"I am sorry."

"I am sorry."

Fury overtook her entirely as she realized he wasn't listening. She advanced until her face hovered mere inches away. Seized a handful of his hair and softly lifted his chin to meet her gaze. "You bastard, quit fooling around. This is deadly serious, and you don't even know how—"

Midway through her words, his mouth captured hers, silencing the rest. Astrid's mind blanked out completely for an entire second. A fierce blush crashed over her like a massive wave.

Without hesitation, she hopped onto the bed. Threw her leg across him. And held Jax in place by pressing her sandal firmly against his bandaged torso.

Just as the next swear was about to escape her lips, the door swung open.

"Princess, please forgive the intrusion. This healer demanded to examine the professor’s state. He claimed it was urgent, so I—"

The knight quickly regained his composure. His pulse pounded wildly in his chest, fully aware that cutting off his lady in any moment might send him straight to the grave.

The healer trembled in sheer fright. His patient was obviously getting assaulted right there in the recovery room, yet he was powerless to intervene. He knew the notorious heiress well. The rage burning in her stare warned that he'd claim the bed next if he didn't leave fast.

Seizing the healer by his collar, the knight hauled him away. The door shut with a click that echoed like a desperate plea.

Jax hacked violently. The sort of deep cough from a frame pushed far beyond its limits that day. Real agony ripped through his torso, contorting his features from the force.

"Here, take a sip of this. Should I fetch the healer again? I'm truly sorry. I never should have done that. It wasn't my intention to—"

She halted abruptly. Stared at his expression. And spotted that infuriating grin revealing how she'd fallen for his pretense.

Astrid leaped from the bed, hit the floor steadily, and stormed to the door. "You devil! I vow revenge for every dirty trick you've played!"

In the quiet that ensued, Echidna chimed in. "She's quite the fiery one. I spot a warped form of affection in those fierce yet affectionate eyes. So you weren't kidding about her being your woman."

Two of Astrid’s knights burst their chat by entering, lugging a single-seater sofa. They set it down silently. Bowed deeply. Then departed.

Realizing her slip, she hastily corrected herself. "Don't misunderstand, you lech. I'm staying because that wench Sianna might stoop low and attempt to kill you. With her now doomed to slavery under you, she has motive to finish you off before your command kicks in. And I refuse to let that happen to my man."

"I mean my manservant."

She interrupted him swiftly to dodge further accusations, hiding her flushed face behind her book. "I don't trust those around you. Period. Now zip it before your yap seals your fate."

A sandal thudded softly by his bedside. He kept his eyes shut.

Astrid figured he was out cold.

Next, her lips brushed his. Gentle. Fleeting. Like a child's tender peck to a treasured item at bedtime.

Jax, barely containing his chuckles despite his aching ribs, chose to ease the tension by murmuring as though dreaming.

The hush afterward endured just one second until a vicious twist pinched his nipple with a spurned woman's wrath.

"You know, if I switched places and pulled that on you, I'd end up jailed and branded a beast." He soothed his sore nipple. "I insist on equal treatment. Or at minimum, a heads-up before you launch a brutal attack on a healing patient desperate for rest. But yeah, guys can take it."

Then escaped the most unladylike noise she'd ever uttered.

-x-X-x-