Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert was wrapped in a silk robe that seemed to come straight out of an old Hollywood movie, the kind that's both luxurious and effortlessly casual. With just a slight lift of his hand, his fingers teasingly tugged at the sash tied around his waist, and the robe slid off his shoulders with graceful ease.

Beneath, he wore nothing, the silk fabric pooling at his waist, leaving his upper body fully exposed, for all to see.

Sherilyn blinked, feeling a warmth creeping up her cheeks.

It wasn't the first time she had seen him without a shirt, but the sight still made her heart race and her cheeks flush.

The reason was simple: the man was sculpted like a Greek god.

His lean frame hid a well-muscled physique, honed from years of hitting the gym, complete with a set of perfect abs and the kind of V-line that had her thinking of those old sayings about looking skinny in clothes but being all muscle underneath. Unaware of her turmoil, Gilbert stood there, neck stiff, "Is this okay?"

"Uh... yeah..." Sherilyn managed, her face wooden as she tore open a medicated patch, her gaze fixed firmly away, instructing him.

"I'm going to stick this on now, don't move."

"Alright."

She applied the patch to his neck, rolling it gently over his skin.

"Ouch..." Gilbert winced, sucking in a breath.

"Does it hurt?" Sherilyn paused, her movements becoming even gentler, "I'll go slower, then."

She couldn't help but mutter, "Why did you even sleep on the couch?"

For someone nearly six-foot-three to curl up on a sofa, it was no wonder he ended up with a stiff neck.

As she worked, her long hair fell forward, brushing against Gilbert's bare back, grazing over scars that spoke of a past that wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.

It didn't hurt, but it tickled him enough to make him shiver.

A shadow passed over Gilbert's eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing with a swallow.

And being this close, he could clearly catch the faint scent of her jasmine-scented body wash.

"All done." Sherilyn finished applying the patch, about to pull away when...

"Sherilyn..."

Suddenly, Gilbert's voice, husky and low, caught her wrist.

"Huh? Ah..."

In the next second, Gilbert's arm tightened around her, pulling her-

onto him in a swift motion that net

her nestled snugly against his chest.

His finger brushed her lips.

Speaking with a rasp, "Sherilyn, I can't hold back anymore."

As he leaned down to kiss her, Sherilyn was taken aback, her eyes wide open in surprise.

Seeming to sense her reaction, he covered her eyes with his hand, "Close your eyes, focus."

She didn't resist, and after a

moment, her eyelashes fluttered et

against the palm of his hand before finally coming to rest, her eyes closed.

He seemed to take this as his wrapping his arms tighter around

her, enveloping her in Cue,

allowing the person in his arms to

ly relax...

It wasn't a fierce kiss, but it was deep, tender, and lingering...

"Sherilyn..."

He spoke against her lips, cradling her cheek in his palm, "Do you like it when I kiss you? Hm?"

Sherilyn was momentarily lost for words, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade.

Gilbert smirked, a low chuckle escaping him as he took her hand, placing it against his abs. "Feel this body... You like it, don't you?"

He didn't need her to answer.

Whether she liked it or not was evident to him.

He might not have been confident about many things, but of his physique, he was undeniably proud.

"If you like it, it's yours. Don't overthink it."

Leaning in, he kissed her again.

"Mmm..."

The embrace grew warmer, more intense.

Sherilyn, eyes closed, lifted her hands to wrap around his neck, inadvertently tightening her grip...

"Ugh!"

Gilbert grimaced, a groan escaping him as his body tensed.

The moment of intimacy was shattered.

"?!" Sherilyn's eyes flew open, coming back to her senses. She quickly loosened her hold, "Did I hurt you?"