章 8: Chapter 8 Dating
After a busy night operating for over ten hours, even Henry Russell, as sturdy as he was, began to feel the strain.
The two of them had a simple breakfast, after which Charlotte Cooper drove him home.
Henry had just emerged from the bath when he saw Charlotte enter with a bowl of noodles.
Only a towel was slung around his waist, his hair was dripping wet, tracing a path down his well-built physique, finally disappearing underneath the towel after drawing a few arcs across his abs.
Charlotte was momentarily taken aback by the sight that met her as she walked in.
One hand toweling off his hair, he pulled a pair of pajamas out of the closet. Unconcerned, he started changing under Charlotte's watchful gaze.
It wasn't the first time she'd seen him naked.
She managed to look away awkwardly.
No wonder Henry was chosen as the nation's most desired man. His physique alone was more than anyone could resist.
Henry finished dressing and seeing Charlotte with her back turned, he slowly walked up behind her, leaning in to whisper, "Are you shy?"
"Who's shy?" she retorted.
Charlotte turned back to face him. His pajama top was slightly open, revealing a tantalising view of his collarbone.
"I wouldn't mind seeing more," she teased.
Henry didn't argue, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
"You barely ate anything earlier, so I made you some noodles," Charlotte said, nodding towards the bowl in her hands.
Henry motioned for her to sit next to him on the couch, "Want some more?"
"I'm full," she replied.
Without insisting, he reached for her hand with one of his while grabbing a spoon with the other.
The position was rather inconvenient, and Charlotte tried to pull her hand away but Henry only gripped it tighter.
After a few futile attempts, Charlotte gave up and let him hold her hand. Resigned, she leaned back on the couch, absorbed in her phone.
The news about yesterday's car accident was minimal, giving it no more significance than any other everyday incident.
Having skimmed through the reports, Charlotte put aside her phone just as Henry finished eating.
"You should get some rest, I'll ask someone to clean up."
She got up to leave, and so did Henry, yet his grip on her hand never loosened.
"What are you doing? I already called for someone to clean up," Charlotte queried, taken aback.
"They'll manage," he replied nonchalantly.
Finally catching on to his odd behaviour, Charlotte looked at him earnestly, "Dr. Russell, what's up with you? Am I going somewhere?"
Henry nodded gravely, his face serious, "Possibly."
Charlotte refrained from swearing, instead giving him a faint smile, "I won't go anywhere. I... spent years pining for you, and now that you've finally seen me, why would I run?"
Henry shook his head, "If you're not going anywhere, then stay with me."
Without a further word, he led her by the hand towards the bed.
Seeing the large bed, Charlotte's mind conjured unsightly images. Touching her nose thoughtfully, she muttered, "You've been up almost all day and night, don't you think that's a bit…"
Who says being a woman is sinless? Being a temptress like her is definitely sinful.
While she was still contemplating whether to resist or comply, Henry wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep on her neck.
Looking at his peaceful face, Charlotte exhaled in relief.
That spared her the conundrum.
Henry was particularly calm in his sleep, his intense gaze softened, making him seem far gentler.
Almost involuntarily, Charlotte's hand delicately traced over his chiselled features. His skin was smooth and fine without seeming effeminate.
She lay there a while before finally releasing her hold on him, wrapped her hand around his waist, then shut her eyes.
She didn't sleep well the previous night, so she quickly drifted off too. But as soon as her breathing evened out, Henry's eyes snapped open. Gazing deeply at Charlotte's sleeping face, he murmured silently to himself.
"Charlotte Cooper, you're mine."
His eyes were cool and deep, like a wolf in waiting, filled with a determination to win at all costs.
When Charlotte awoke the next day, Henry was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Seeing him in his home attire, she yawned without decorum.
"Good morning, wash up and get ready for breakfast," Henry called out with a friendly smile.
Catching sight of his rare smile, Charlotte's drowsiness instantly vanished.
"Morning," she replied mechanically, managing a stiff smile.
She was overestimating herself; she figured she'd need a bit more time to adjust to this new side of Henry.
"I'm on leave for the next few days."
During breakfast, Henry suddenly announced his break, his gaze fixed on her.
"Cassie also said I could take a break," she remarked.
The supposed reason was to get over the shock of the accident. Even though she didn't feel she needed a break, given the choice, who wouldn't prefer a day off over work?
Seeing that Henry had nothing to add, she suggested brightly, "We could go on a date then."
Unsure of what a typical couple would do, she remembered Ella telling her about a newly opened amusement park.
Dressed up and ready to go, Charlotte was holding Henry's hand when they arrived at the amusement park, the screams from the pendulum ride echoing in the distance.
"What's that?"
Henry frowned, looking at the swaying silhouette in mid-air.
"That's the pendulum ride," Charlotte explained, recalling he would not have been familiar with such games during his childhood.
The sight of people screaming and the looks of fear in their eyes brought a smile to her face. She was curious to see if Henry would react the same way after riding it.
The image of a weary Henry resting his head on her shoulder after experiencing the ride brought a smile to Charlotte's face.
Little did she know, Henry was having the same thoughts.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Ah, nothing," Charlotte said, pulling him towards the ride, "Let's give it a go."
The purchased their tickets and boarded the ride. As the ride started, their feet slowly left the ground, the machine swinging them high up into the air before swiftly dropping back towards the ground. Screams filled the air.
Charlotte felt a minor ache in her eardrums from the adrenaline rush, and she wondered if Henry was now feeling weak with fear.
The ride ended after three minutes.
Charlotte stood up and looked at Henry. He was standing straight up, just as she was. Everyone around them was wobbly and had to be helped off the ride while the two of them stood there nonchalantly. Their eyes met awkwardly.
"That really wasn't as scary as it seemed," Charlotte laughed uncomfortably.
Why wasn't Henry feeling unwell? Was it too late for her to pretend to be dizzy?
"Mmm, let's try another ride," he suggested.
Henry glanced at the other men in the area, all of them helping their faint girlfriends off the ride. He felt a sting of awkwardness. Now that Charlotte was feeling okay, it would not do for him to abruptly carry her off the ride.
Next, they tried the bungee jump and the ferris wheel.
Others were either feeling dizzy or vomiting, whilst the two of them were completely composed.
"Or should we go watch a movie?" Henry suggested.
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