Bing Xue's rigid posture finally eased, the tension melting from his shoulders as he absorbed her words. A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips—the kind that always made her pulse stutter.
"So Master had planned to save me this way all along?" His arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against the hard planes of his chest. The teasing lilt in his voice sent heat crawling up her neck.
She jabbed a finger into his sternum. "Says the man who threatened to wither away if I refused." The moment the words left her mouth, his grip tightened possessively.
"Hush now," he murmured, deft fingers already fastening her robes with practiced ease. "Let's not keep the others waiting." His breath ghosted over the shell of her ear as he added, "Though I'd much rather keep you here... Perhaps demonstrate some alternative cultivation methods?"
