Novel Square
Chapter 18
Estrella laughed it off, saying, “Does it matter who writes the check?” What would he do with that information anyway? She figured he probably knew the score but played dumb to keep things smooth.
Estrella’s nonchalant attitude had Jason staring at her for a long moment before he said. with a cold expression, “Estrella, if you really want to live with me and have children, stop trying to please me superficially. Effort without heart isn’t effort at all.”
At that, Estrella laughed even harder. “Someone who never comes home is teaching met how to manage a marriage?”
Jason felt the sting of her words. Clearing his throat, his tone softened considerably as he said, “Haven’t I promised to come home once a week?”
“Stop.” Estrella cut him off. “You’ve kept that promise exactly once. Let’s just forget your ever said it.” And he could forget about asking her to play house again.
“I’ll make it up to you, with interest,” Jason said, his voice husky and magnetic, which was particularly charming when he spoke to Estrella.
“Sure.” Estrella laughed, genuinely pleased this time. “But beware, my interest rates are steep.”
Jason looked at her with disdain, pinching her cheek lightly, “Estrella, don’t wear your schemes on your forehead.” Jason knew she wanted babies.
Estrella scooted closer, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Don’t you want to give it a try?” She was indeed persistent about having babies.
Her seductive gaze met Jason’s unmoved expression. “I don’t.”
Estrella, in disbelief, retorted, “You say that, but your heart says otherwise.” and leaned in closer.
“Estrella, let’s take your temperature, and draw some blood.” Just as they were about to kiss, the door of the hospital room was pushed open by a nurse.
In the hospital bed, Estrella quickly scooted back and tucked her hair behind her ear, sitting up straight as if nothing had happened.
chuckled to himself. Rising from his chair leisurely hands in his pockels, be looked
down at her and said, “Not hiding, are you?”
Estrella’s fair leg kicked out from under the covers, landing a swift kick on Jason.
At the door, the nurse’s face turned beet red.
After the temperature was taken and blood drawn, Estrella still had a fever and the inflammation hadn’t subsided. She needed to continue with the injections and
15:22 Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
observation.
In the afternoon, Bryce came to visit, along with a few cousins from the Nelson and Dorvold families. While everyone visited Estrella, Jason quietly played the host, occasionally taking work calls.
By evening, the hospital room went quiet again.
Ready for bed after freshening up, Estrella noticed Jason settling into the chair beside her. She scooted over and patted the empty space beside her, “I saved you a spot.”
Jason glanced her way, nonchalantly saying, “I’m not gonna sleep.”
Estrella chuckled, “I won’t bite.”
Jason replied half-jokingly, “I’m actually quite afraid you might.”
With his glasses perched on his nose, Jason looked both scholarly and roguishly handsome, quite irresistible. But the more obvious Estrella was about her intentions, the less Jason wanted to give in.
“I’m sick. I don’t have the strength,” she teased. “I won’t be able to sleep with you just sitting there.”
“You slept fine this morning and afternoon,” he countered.
“Stop arguing. I won’t do anything. Just come up here,” she insisted.
Only after Estrella’s repeated assurances did Jason strip down and climb into bed.
She promised not to mess around, so she didn’t touch him once he was in bed, but then Jason rolled over and pulled her into his arms from behind.
Estrella turned her head, confused. Wasn’t he the one who said not to touch?
Before she could ask, Jason’s voice rumbled close, “You’ve lost weight being sick, even here,” as his hand rested on her breasts.
Estrella didn’t move his hand away; instead, she joked with a smile, “You like them bigger? I’ll get an F cup. You won’t be able to hold them with one hand.”
Jason teased back, “I don’t like fakes.”
Nestling back into him, Estrella murmured, “Well, maybe they’ll get back to size after I’m discharged.”
In truth, Estrella was already quite endowed, a full C cup.
Pulling her closer, Jason rested his chin on her shoulder, his face against hers, “Sleep.”
Her fingers crept backward, “It would be a waste not to do something in such a good atmosphere.”
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Jason caught her wandering hand, “I haven’t started anything, and you’re already losing control?”
Estrella looked at him, “You’re like this, and I’m supposed to feel nothing? I’m not dysfunctional.”
“Estrella, do you believe I’d throw you out the window?”
She eyed him suspiciously, “Jason, it feels like you’re making me restless on purpose.”
“Sleep,” Jason commanded, pulling her in even tighter.
Estrella protested, but within a short time, she started to snore lightly, while Jason was still awake, watching her. If she hadn’t been sick, he might not have been able to hold
back.
A week later, once the blood tests came back normal, Estrella was discharged. Jason came to pick her up.
Back home, after a shower and changing into her usual pajamas, Estrella felt revitalized. As she stepped out of the bathroom, fixing her hair, Jason mentioned, “Grandpa’s big 70th birthday bash is on
Saturday. The invitation came yesterday.”
“Hector’s hitting 70, huh.” Estrella exclaimed.
Every year, when Grandpa’s birthday rolled around, they’d all make a point to join in the festivities and add to the merriment.
“Mhm!” Estrella got an affirming grunt in response, and as she sauntered closer, Jason reached up to check her forehead. “Feeling any better?”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Estrella’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “Are you worried about me?”
Jason naturally took hold of her slender waist. “You don’t like it?”
“I love it.” The smile on Estrella’s face deepened. “A lot.”
With that, she tiptoed and pressed her lips to Jason’s in a tender kiss.
These days, the atmosphere between the two had been good, and Estrella had been constantly thinking about seizing the opportunity to get things done while things were going well.
Jason didn’t push her away. Instead, his arm around her waist tightened slightly, pulling Estrella close until there was no space left between them.
“Mmm…” The soft moan escaped Estrella’s lips unintentionally as she bumped into Jason. It was a sound laden with intimacy.
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