Chapter 286 Leanne had just finished making dinner and cover to call him.
Burning up with a fever, Curtis had zero appetite but still mustered the strength to sit at the dining table.
Watching Leanne bring over the food and set up the cutlery felt like a blessing.
She made a comforting stewed beef, accompanied by a side of sautéed green beans.
Perhaps because the beef was thrown in without browning first, the taste was a bit off, but it was within what you'd expect from Leanne's usual efforts - perfectly edible.
Curtis didn't seem to notice, finishing the last bit of the soup from his bowl.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLeanne was a bit surprised. "You've got a good appetite." "Eating your cooking is a blessing; how could not have a good appetite?" Curtis replied, a soft smile in his eyes, "I'll eat whatever you make. Am I good or what?" Not only playing the pity card but also acting cute now.
After clearing the dishes, Leanne said with a poker face, "Tomorrow I'll borrow sdog food from the neighbors for you." Curtis clicked his tongue. "You're treatinglike a dog now?" Leanne gave him a look that said you're reading too much into it. "Maybe you should just go be a stray." Once she had cleaned up the kitchen, she found Curtis had changed into comfy pajama and had settled himself in her bed.
Since his arrival, he had been more obedient than Leanne had expected, hardly causin any trouble at all.
So, she let it slide and took her blanket to the couch.
Before going to sleep, she checked on Curtis again. He was sleeping deeply, the fever n much reduced.
This was the stage when the body ached the most, yet he was surprisingly quiet.
She fetched sfever-reducing patches, placing them on his forehead and both sides o his neck, then carefully lifted his arm to apply a couple more under his armpits.
She thought about applying son his thighs too, but decided against it for... reasons.
After ensuring he was covered up well, she turned off the light and left the bedroom.
Curtis, in a daze, felt a cool and soft touch, like drifting in a serene stream.
1/2 09:53 It was comfortable, but the sensation soon left him.
In the dead of night, as Leanne slept on the couch, she felt unbearably hot, as if she were being roasted by a fireplace.
Instinctively wanting to move away but unable to, she dreamt she was a pigeon tied to a spit, roasting all night long.
Waking to her alarm, she tried to reach for her phone but couldn't move her arms.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmSlowly opening her eyes, she was greeted by Curtis' chiseled jaw.
Somehow, Curtis had squeezed onto the couch next to her, holding her tight.
Leanne was trapped in the narrow m space between his body and the couch, almost squished.
The feverish heat from his body, along with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, enveloped her completely. She remembered now; Curtis' arms were wrapped tight, like a strong cage.
No wonder the sensation of being bound in her dream felt so real, impossible to escape.
Unable to get up, she frowned and shouted at him, "Curtis, letgo."
Throughout the night, Curtis' feverish, muddled consciousness only m recognized the warm, sweet softness in his arms as the missing piece of himself, holding it brought him wholeness. 2/2