Chapter 31: Chapter 31: A Full Stomach Leads to Lust
Ivy Sherwood dished out the rice and placed the chopsticks in front of Quentin Blackwood.
"I wasn’t sure what you like to eat, so I just made a few simple things. Please don’t mind if you don’t like it."
Quentin Blackwood sat across from Ivy Sherwood. He wasn’t a picky eater, but it had indeed been a long time since he’d had a home-cooked meal like this.
"Go on and eat, Uncle. Why are you staring at me? You aren’t like Silas Blackwood, are you? Thinking you lose your appetite just by looking at my face?" Ivy Sherwood said wryly.
Quentin Blackwood picked up his chopsticks. "That’s not what I meant."
The millet congee was incredibly soft and fragrant. As it slid into his stomach, the dull ache seemed to be enveloped by something warm, bringing quick relief.
Quentin Blackwood tried the other dishes Ivy Sherwood had made. They were all exceptionally good.
"Do you cook often?"
"Not really."
She had moved out of the Sherwood Family estate long ago, and since takeout was terrible, Ivy Sherwood had learned to cook for herself. But sometimes she was too busy to even think about eating, or she would cook one meal and make it last for several.
Since she had eaten a couple of pastries at the banquet, Ivy Sherwood wasn’t very hungry, so she just took a few bites to keep Quentin Blackwood company.
Her mother used to say that eating alone is a lonely affair. Having someone with you changes everything. At least you aren’t by yourself, and you can share the experience, whether the food is good or not.
She watched Quentin Blackwood eat. His sleeves were rolled up his arms, revealing strong forearms. The hand holding the chopsticks had such distinct knuckles that it looked like a work of art.
His back was perfectly straight, exuding an omnipresent elegance.
Even the way he ate was methodical and unhurried. Sitting there, he looked every bit the Family Head; it was impossible to find a single flaw in him.
"Quentin Blackwood," Ivy Sherwood called his name.
"Not calling me Uncle anymore?" the man’s voice was deep.
"It makes it sound like we’re committing incest. Or is that a fetish of yours? Do you like hearing people call you Uncle?" Ivy Sherwood propped her chin on her hand, looking at him.
"No." ’I do not have such a fetish!’
Ivy Sherwood let out a light laugh. Quentin Blackwood looked up and saw her eyes curve into crescents, as if they held the entire Milky Way.
’When this woman, Ivy Sherwood, fakes a smile, she’s like a little fox—clearly plotting against you, yet her face is the picture of innocence.’
’But when she genuinely smiles, her eyes shine as brightly as stars. She was born with a truly beautiful pair of eyes.’
’Too bad Ivy Sherwood is the daughter of my enemy.’
Quentin Blackwood put down his chopsticks. "I’m full."
’He barely ate anything. How can a man that big have the appetite of a bird?’
’Then again, eating too much at night isn’t good for digestion. Better to eat less.’
"Have some more soup?" Ivy Sherwood asked, blinking.
"No, thank you."
’Fine, don’t have any. I’ll have some more myself. Otherwise, it’ll go to waste.’
Ivy Sherwood ladled some for herself. To her surprise, the man sat back down and had a few sips of soup as well.
Ivy Sherwood was about to do a quick tidy-up, but Quentin Blackwood spoke. "Hotel services will clean up tomorrow. Go take a shower."
Ivy Sherwood: "!!"
’Is this what they mean about a full belly leading to lustful thoughts?’
’This uncle of mine is so direct!’
Ivy Sherwood went to the bathroom. Before she went in, Quentin Blackwood handed her a bag. When she opened it, she found a set of pajamas.
’Looks like Quentin Blackwood came prepared.’
While showering this time, Ivy Sherwood was very careful to avoid her face, so her makeup remained perfectly intact.
This time, Ivy Sherwood didn’t stay in the bathroom for so long.
When Ivy Sherwood came out, the man was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, on the phone. He was very tall, his shadow elongated by the lights. The entire cityscape outside the window seemed to be reduced to his backdrop. He truly looked like a god fallen to the mortal realm.
His dress shirt was tucked into his trousers, perfectly outlining the curve of his waist. Clothed or not, this man was a walking aphrodisiac.
Perhaps Ivy Sherwood’s gaze was too intense, as Quentin Blackwood seemed to sense it and turned his head.
Catching sight of Ivy Sherwood emerging from the bathroom, Quentin Blackwood said lightly, "Right. That’s all, then."
Seeing him hang up, Ivy Sherwood walked over to Quentin Blackwood and peeked her head out from behind him.
"Still not done with work, Uncle?"
The sudden scent of milk that wafted over was like a toffee candy exploding on the tongue—so sweet it made the root of his tongue tingle, yet it wasn’t cloying.
The body wash was provided by the hotel, but it was as if Ivy Sherwood had personally chosen it.
Quentin Blackwood’s breathing grew heavier, and he pushed her away.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice impossibly husky. "I’m going to take a shower."
He went into the bathroom. Ivy Sherwood sat and looked at her phone for a while. There was a message from Nina Scott: "Ivy! I completely forgot, you didn’t drive here! How did you get home?"
Ivy Sherwood replied: "Got lucky and hitched a ride."
"Really? I guess there are still good people in the world. Are you home now?"
"Nope. Got a room."
Several exclamation marks quickly appeared from Nina Scott!
The next second, her call came through.
"With who?! Were you kidnapped? Are you sending me a distress signal? Should I call the police right now? Was it the guy who gave you a ride? Did he force you?"
Nina Scott bombarded her with a slew of questions.
"If I were kidnapped, would I be able to answer your call right now?"
"So you’re... doing this willingly?"
"Mhm."
"Alright, Ivy! Is he hot?" Nina Scott sounded like she was digging for gossip.
"Extremely."
"Are you sure he got a good look at your face in the dark?" Nina Scott was still skeptical. She knew Ivy was beautiful, but hadn’t she put on more makeup again later?
Ivy Sherwood said jokingly, "Not sure."
"I’ve always told you to enjoy life while you can! You should have done this a long time ago. Look at that Silas Blackwood, who knows how many women he’s slept with. It wouldn’t matter if you cheated on him a few more times! You have my full support, girl!"
"But let me say this first: a guy who’s this casual might not be a good person. Remember to use a condom and protect yourself. Safety measures first! I won’t disturb you two any longer. Remember to call me tomorrow and tell me how it was!"
Seeing Nina Scott so worked up, anyone who didn’t know better would think she was the one about to get some action.
Even though Nina Scott had an unfiltered mouth, her own love life was a blank slate.
In her own words: ’I’m building my career. Men just slow down my money-making speed.’
Not long after she hung up, Quentin Blackwood came out of the bathroom.
It was clearly not their first time, yet Ivy Sherwood felt inexplicably nervous. If the first time was her own calculation and the second was her being swept away by his handsome face, then this time, she was watching Quentin Blackwood walk toward her with a perfectly clear mind.
He had just showered, and his hair was still wet. A droplet of water traced a path down his throat, an indescribably sexy sight.
That face could truly make anyone swoon.
No wonder there were rumors that all the women in Aethelgard wanted to marry Quentin Blackwood. Even though his photo had never been published in any media, anyone who had seen him in person would say his looks were flawless.
Suddenly, Ivy Sherwood felt guilty, as if she were defiling a god.
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