Chapter 441

Sophia pressed her fingertips against Ethan Roscente's chest, tilting her head to meet his darkened gaze.

"Just a joke. Can't you take it?"

"You call that a joke?" He sneered, gripping her chin between his fingers. "That was mockery."

The corners of her eyes lifted in a placating smile. "Fine, I was wrong. Happy?"

"Think an apology fixes it?" His palm slid down the curve of her waist. "Who's going to compensate me?"

Sophia abruptly caught his wandering hand.

"You—"

"Me what?" He leaned in, his breath scorching. "Well? Baby?"

The endearment burned the tips of her ears.

"Ethan!" Her voice trembled. "We're at Dr. Xavier's house—"

"So?" His fingers traced idle circles at her hip. "I want you right here—"

He broke off mid-sentence.

Ethan frowned suddenly, his palm rubbing slow circles over her abdomen.

"Sophia," he said slowly, "have you... gained weight?"

She slapped his hand away and rolled to the far edge of the bed, dragging the comforter with her.

"None of your business!" The flush spread to the roots of her hair. "Don't you know it's rude to comment on a woman's weight?"

Ethan stared at his palm, perplexed.

That texture... wasn't right.

"Come here." He reached for the blanket. "Let me check again."

"Pervert!" Sophia clung to the covers. "One more touch and I'll tell Dr. Xavier you assaulted me!"

He scoffed. "Marital intimacy isn't assault."

"Who's married to you?" She turned her back. "Go find your precious Isabella!"

Only when the shower turned on did Sophia exhale in relief.

Her fingers drifted to her stomach, worry flickering in her eyes.

Too observant...

Ethan emerged drying his hair to find her curled on the sofa.

"Explain." He nudged the sofa leg with his foot.

"Sleeping." She didn't look up.

"There's a bed."

"All yours." She burrowed deeper. "Wouldn't want you accusing me of scheming again."

A vein pulsed at Ethan's temple.

"Playing martyr?" His laugh was cold. "When Dr. Xavier sees this, he'll say I bullied you."

"Overthinking it." She rolled over. "I just don't want to share a bed."

"You're banishing me to the guest room?" He braced his hands on the sofa arms, caging her in. "Shameless."

Sophia thought: When have you ever had shame?

"Then I'll sleep here." She tightened her grip on the blanket.

Ethan studied her for a long moment before abruptly scooping her up, blanket and all.

"Ah!" Sophia gasped. "Put me down!"

"Quiet." He dumped her back onto the mattress. "If word gets out I made a woman sleep on the sofa, how would that look?"

As she opened her mouth to retort, he turned toward the wardrobe.

"You—"

"Sleep." He yanked out a spare blanket and spread it on the floor. "One more word and you're out the door."