Chapter 62

Kayla searched her pockets with quick taps, only to come up empty. The ring was missing

A sharp jolt surged through her chest.

Jeremy, noting her sudden quiet, slipped a ring from his pocket and began to spin it between his fingers with practiced ease.

A faint smile tugged at his mouth as he said evenly,"Other than me, only Zane owns the same ring.But he already gave his to you."

Kayla raised her chin, composing herself in an instant.She cleared her throat and replied, "I'm not sure how it got into your hands, but thanks for finding it."

She leaned forward to take the ring, but Jeremy shifted at the last second, and her hand slipped past -sending her tumbling into his chest.

His arms wrapped around her in a firm catch, and the sudden press of her figure against his sparked a rush of heat through him.

Kayla's faint perfume filled Jeremy's senses, stirring a restless desire that felt eerily familiar to that night of passion.

As Jeremy lingered in the sensation, Kayla let out a small cry of surprise. Her head bumped his chest, and her movements against him only stoked the fire already rising in his blood.

Jeremy, visibly uneasy, pressed a hand to the top of Kayla's head and muttered through clenched teeth,"What do you think you are doing?"

With her face buried against him, Kayla's reply came soft and muffled. "My hair's stuck on your shirt button.I can't get it loose."

Still pinned to his chest, Kayla turned bright red,mortified. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat thudded against her ear, only deepening her blush.

Jeremy inhaled sharply. Every slight movement from her made his restraint waver. He gave her back a light pat. "Hold still. I'll take care of it."

At his instruction, Kayla froze, not daring to move a muscle.

Jeremy ducked to search under the seat for something useful, but came up empty-handed.Resigned, he began working through the tangle with his fingers. Kayla winced and let out a cry.

"Jeremy,please be careful-it really hurts!"

He paused and pulled his hand back, his tone flat."|t′S knotted tight. I can't free it."

Tears welled in Kayla's eyes as frustration took hold."What do you expect me to do now? I can't stay stuck to you like this!" Jeremy leaned forward and instructed the driver to stop at the next available spot.

Behind them, the convoy of cars took another route,veering off instead of following.

From one of the other vehicles, Zoe watched Jeremy's car disappear down the road. Panic surged as she slammed a hand against the window. "What's happening? Where's Jeremy going?"

The driver glanced at Zoe through the rearview mirror."Mr. Graham instructed me to drop you off at home.This way's faster."

Zoe clenched her jaw, unable to protest. It was Jeremy's directive, after all. Regardless, she struck the seat in frustration, her expression twisted with irritation.

Beside her, Liam sat rigid, his tone low and sharp. "Did Uncle Jeremy take Kayla with him?"

He was seething. A quick step outside to answer a call had landed him in the same vehicle as Zoe-of all people.

Zoe scoffed loudly. "Jeremy probably finds Kayla disgusting. She reeks-her breath's unbearable!"

Liam, already annoyed, turned on her. "You're the one with bad breath!"

"Excuse me? Kayla's the one who smells. How dare you insult me like that? What kind of man are you?"Coddled by Johnny's constant praise, Zoe had grown smug and didn't give a damn about Liam.

This time, he snapped. Grabbing a box from the seat,he hurled it at her face. "Keep running your mouth and see what happens."

He shoved the door open and jumped out without another word.

Zoe, frozen in shock, clutched her cheek before screaming after him, "You and Kayla are both trash!"

Meanwhile, back in Jeremy's car, Kayla's hair remained caught on his shirt, the two still tangled in an uncomfortable closeness.

Kayla,her cheek nearly pressed into the seat cushion,gave Jeremy's tie a gentle tug and mumbled, "Are we there yet?"

Jeremy turned to the window, eyes on the road ahead."Take us to that hotel," he instructed the driver."Check in under Dewitt's name. Make it quick."

The luxury hotel they were nearing belonged to Dewitt-one of his more lavish ventures.

Kayla jerked upright in surprise, only to wince as her hair caught again, yanking at her scalp.

"Why are we going to a hotel? What's going on?"