Chapter 177: Redeeming Traits

Bel jerked as the door was thrown open and Davien walked in. "Do you not know how to knock?" she asked; she couldn't help herself.

"And ruin the surprise?" he asked with a smirk.

"And what would the surprise be?" she asked as he slid beside her on the couch.

"Me," he announced proudly.

Bel threw her head back and laughed. "I humor you a little too much."

"Hardly," he said, moving closer. "Frankly, I'd say you don't humor me enough."

"Really?" she asked, peering at him. "What else?"

His eyes strayed to her lips and then back to her face. He pulled away before she could even react to this and took one of her hands. His cold fingers ran over her wrist, lightly massaging it. "The redness is gone," he said, changing the subject.