Chapter 79

Alexia's pulse quickened, her heart thumping in her chest.

She watched Waylon in the hush of the music room.the only sound the lazy stretch and occasional meow of the cat curled nearby.

It took a few moments-and Waylon's mildly curious look-for her to collect herself and return to the moment.

With a quick shake of her head, she straightened up,trying to appear composed. "All right, let's see what you can do with Chopin, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky."

Waylon went still, eyebrows raised in mock disbelief.

She shot him a mischievous grin. "What's with that look? Don't think I'm so easily impressed."

His calm didn't waver. "I'm game if you are. But are you sure you have the patience to listen to the whole set?"

Alexia retorted, "Since when do you think I give up so easily?"

Before another word could pass, the housekéeper's head appeared in the doorway. "Dinner's ready. Mr Mason, Miss Jenkins."

Alexia switched gears in a heartbeat. "Actually, food first sounds good!"

Waylon's quiet laugh followed her out of the music room.

Seated at the table, Alexia eyed her own plain,carefully portioned plate, then glanced longingly at the colorful,mouthwatering spread set before Waylon.Her voice dropped to a mutter, eyes narrowed with envy."Now that's just cruel."

Waylon kept his attention on his meal. "I told you already-bland food's the rule if you want to heal properly. It's for your own good."

"Still... this is punishment, not a meal." Alexia pouted,gaze fixed on the spicy shrimp nearby. That shrimp looked impossibly juicy, and she could almost taste it in her mind.

Lost in her craving, Alexia's daydreams were shattered as the very piece she'd been eyeing disappeared-Waylon had snatched it right off the platter. He met her wounded glare, popped the shrimp into his mouth without a hint of remorse, and then flashed her a teasing grin. "Delicious, actually. Want a bite?"

Alexia nodded so fast, it was almost comical

Waylon teased, "Guess you'll have to imagine how good it is."

Alexia shot him a scowl. "You planned this, didn't you?Had the housekeeper make all my favorites, filled the table with temptation, and then stuck me with this hospital food just to torture me?"

Waylon pretended to consider it, then replied,"I thought it might cheer you up. Even if you can't eat it,maybe the smell and sight will lift your spirits a little."

Alexia huffed, barely able to contain her frustration."Waylon, you're impossible. You're definitely doing this just to mess with me."

It was its own kind of torture-being forced to watch,unable to join in.

Waylon just blinked,all wide-eyed innocence, as if he hadn't the faintest clue what she meant. "You've got it all wrong."

Alexia's hands curled into fists, trying to hide how much it got to her.

His mouth said one thing, but his eyes told an entirely different story.

No surprises there-he was absolutely wicked.

A spark of mischief flickered in Alexia's eyes as a new plan formed. "On second thought," she declared,voice bright. "I want the full set-Chopin, Mozart,Tchaikovsky, the whole lot! We're pulling an all-nighter, and I'll be right here making sure you don't back out!"

Waylon froze mid-bite, then slowly set his fork back down. "That's a rather devious move."

The housekeeper watched their playful back-and-forth, her laughter hidden behind her hand.

Determined to win, Alexia launched into her late-night "supervision."

Yet fatigue from the day's chaos quickly caught up with her. Waylon, sly as ever, eased into a series of soothing lullabies, and before long, she'd surrendered -fast asleep on the sofa.

Once the last melody faded, Waylon turned to find her curled up, lost in dreams.

He crossed the room quietly, kneeling beside her to take in her peaceful expression.

Soft,steady breaths lifted her chest; her lashes brushed faint shadows onto her cheeks. Reaching out,

he gently tucked a strand of hair away from her face.

After a long nap, the cat stirred, stretching before springing onto the sofa it crept toward Alexia's outstretched hand, ready to curl up beside her, but before it could settle in. Waylon scooped the feline up and whisked it out of the room without a hint of apology

Morning brought a new visitor. Korbin arrived to see Waylon.

He stepped inside and immediately paused, catching sight of a pair of almond-toned heels with bright red soles lined up perfectly by the door-an unexpected detail that caught him off guard.

Korbin stood in the entryway, momentarily stunned.Had Waylon finally ditched his bachelor ways and invited a woman home? The sight of those heels was proof enough.

Word around town was that no one-aside from the staff-could set foot in this house unannounced. Even Cowan himself called ahead. Any woman allowed past the door had to be someone extraordinary.

"Seems Waylon had company last night." Korbin nodded at the shoes. "Come on,tell me-which lucky lady stayed over?"

While trimming her potted blooms, the housekeeper replied,"You know her too."

Korbin sprawled across the sofa, legs crossed,looking completely at ease. "I know many people. If I'm expected to guess every possibility, it might take all day. But if I had to pick the most likely candidate..."

His thoughts drifted to the charity gala, where Waylon had crowned Alexia in front of a crowd, sending whispers rippling through the room.