He Watched Me Shine Without Him novel Chapter 116

Then she saw Rose gazing at her with a dangerously seductive look—like a vixen bathed in irresistible light.

Houston swallowed hard, something primal flaring in his eyes. He struggled to suppress his desire, turned off the lights, and obediently lay down beside her.

Still, he pulled her into his arms and whispered hoarsely, “Rose, if you keep this up, I might not be able to sleep tonight.”

Rose asked, “You don’t want me?” Her voice was full of disappointment.

Houston hugged her tightly, as if he wanted to fuse her into his bones. “Silly girl, I’m a normal man. Of course I want you. But…”

In the darkness, Rose stared at him with sparkling eyes.

Houston’s breathing was erratic, his warm breath brushing her face. But she could still see the restraint and self-control in his eyes.

He said, “Rose, this bed’s too small. I’m worried it won’t be a good experience for you.”

Rose pushed him away and turned her back to him.

Like a stubborn sticker, he clung to her again. “Are you mad?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Houston said, “Rose, I know what you're thinking. Don’t overthink it. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

“Okay,” Rose murmured shyly.

That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

So no matter what, Houston still didn’t want her?

Even though his reason sounded perfectly logical, her mother’s voice kept echoing in her ears: “If a man doesn’t love you, he’ll come up with all kinds of excuses not to touch you.”

Rose felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment.

Was she not attractive enough?

Or was Houston still hung up on his crush?

…

The next morning.

Rose got up with dark circles under her eyes. Houston saw them and instantly knew she’d been overthinking. He felt both guilty and helpless.

This silly girl probably took her mom’s advice to heart and was starting to doubt him.

At breakfast, Linda announced gleefully, “Rose, did you hear? The wedding next door got called off. Neither Ethan nor Vivian are good people. What goes around comes around.”

Rose was surprised. Vivian had just had a baby. Logically, the wedding should’ve just been postponed past New Year’s—why cancel it?

Linda gossiped in vivid detail: “The Walker family only cares about boys. Vivian gave birth to a girl, and Samantha told her to go for a second child. Vivian’s mom was furious. The Walkers won’t pay for anything, won’t lift a finger, just want a free grandkid. So in a fit of rage, she told Vivian to break up with Ethan.”

Rose munched on her burger with a sigh.

Linda grinned with schadenfreude. “Good thing you didn’t marry Ethan. Otherwise, you’d be stuck with a mother-in-law like Samantha. You’d never hear the end of it.”

Houston watched her run off, eyes full of affection.

“Sir.” Daniel suddenly appeared by the Mercedes.

Startled, Houston glared. “What are you doing here?”

Daniel pouted, “Sir, you told me to meet you here today.”

Houston suddenly remembered—he had an important meeting scheduled.

Still, it wasn’t as important as something else.

He beckoned Daniel over, whispered something into his ear. Whatever he said made Daniel blush like a beet.

Daniel slunk off toward the hospital with his head down.

A while later, he returned carrying a giant bag of condoms.

Houston frowned. “Do I look like a womanizer to you? Why’d you buy so many?”

Daniel explained quickly, “Sir, I bought a bit of everything. Just in case certain brands don’t suit your preferences.”

Houston nodded. “Not bad.”

Meanwhile, Rose dashed to the hospital with her heart pounding like crazy. She only stopped to catch her breath when she reached a quiet, empty corner.