Chapter 37: No Regrets!

"Blaine, I forgot to grab a towel!" Chloe's soft, melodic voice floated from the bathroom.

Blaine Jackson, who had just sunk into the couch and opened his laptop to study the latest fashion trends in Japan, glanced toward the bedroom. With a resigned sigh, he got up and walked over, knocking lightly on the bathroom door.

"Chloe, aren't the towels in the cabinet above the bathtub?" He arched a brow. "There should be at least ten. Did they magically disappear?"

"Really?" Chloe's voice carried a note of playful confusion. A moment later, the door cracked open, revealing her bright, mischievous smile.

"Blaine, want to shower together?"

Blaine immediately turned his face away, stepping back as if to escape. He knew her well enough to see through this little ploy—she didn't actually need a towel. She just wanted an excuse to talk to him.

"Blaine..." Chloe huffed, her tone carrying a hint of grievance. "Come on, don't be like this. I already explained—there's nothing going on between me and Yuto." Was she really that untrustworthy? Had she ever lied to him before?

"Yuto?" Blaine's voice turned cold. The way she said his name—it was way too natural. "Sounds like you're pretty close to him."

"Nonsense! The only person I like is you." Chloe answered swiftly. In the next instant, she pulled open the bathroom door completely, catching Blaine off guard. Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him inside, pressing herself against him. Her face was so close, leaving him no room to escape.

"Chloe Grace!" Blaine scowled at her. "Do you have any idea how easy it is to catch a cold like this?" Her recklessness was getting out of hand.

He pushed her away gently and stepped toward the cabinet, pulling out a dry towel. He tossed it to her and said, "Hurry up and finish your shower. If you get sick, don't expect me to take care of you." His words were firm, but his gaze betrayed his concern.

"I want you to stay with me." Chloe stepped forward again, eyeing his slightly damp clothes. "Your shirt is wet already. Why not just take a shower with me? I'll scrub your back for you." As she spoke, her fingers reached for the hem of his shirt.

"Chloe!" Blaine caught her wrist, his expression a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "You can't just do things like this!"

"And why not? You keep getting mad over nothing." Her lips curled into a pout. He'd ignored her all evening, not saying a single word. Did he even realize how much that hurt?

"You—!" Blaine's breath hitched. He wanted to push her away, but he hesitated, afraid of hurting her in the process. Worse, his gaze betrayed him, drifting downward despite himself. Her bare skin, her delicate curves—everything about her was a dangerous temptation, testing the limits of his self-control.

"Blaine?" Chloe's voice softened as she studied his face. "Are you mad at me again?"

Blaine said nothing. His burning gaze swept over her, his emotions simmering beneath the surface. A fire had been lit inside him, impossible to contain.

"Fine, fine. I won't push you." Chloe relented, snatching the towel from his hand and wrapping it around herself. She turned away, giving him space to leave.

But she had underestimated him.

In an instant, strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "Running away after lighting the fire—this is your usual move, isn't it?" His voice was husky, his breath warm against her ear.

He knew she hadn't done anything inappropriate with Yuto, but that didn't make him any less irritated. She had disappeared for the entire afternoon—with Yuto. The thought alone was enough to drive him crazy. Ignoring her had been his way of expressing his frustration, but instead of sulking, she had turned the tables on him with this little stunt.

Fine. If this was how she wanted to play, then he wouldn't hold back.

His lips crashed onto hers, claiming them in a fiery, demanding kiss. His tongue delved deep, sweeping through her mouth in an intoxicating dance. This wasn't just passion—it was punishment, a wild storm of jealousy and desire pulling her under.

---

Later that evening, Blaine busied himself discussing work details with Annie, completely ignoring the pitiful glances Chloe kept shooting his way.

Like hell he was going to indulge her! She actually thought he'd agree to let her tag along to the Senrei Wang fashion event? What, just so he could torture himself watching her interact with Yuto? Not a chance. He wasn't about to send a lamb into the lion's den—especially when that lamb was his.

"Got it, Director. I've sent the latest Japanese fashion trend report to our headquarters in France, just as you instructed." Annie reported efficiently.

"Good. Carry on, then." Blaine dismissed her with a wave of his hand, barely looking up.

Annie shot Chloe a sympathetic glance before leaving. Clearly, she had witnessed this dynamic between them before. Chloe slumped in her seat with a dramatic sigh, turning her gaze toward Blaine.

"So you really won't take me?" she asked, full of expectation.

"Of course not."

"I wouldn't even be there to have fun! I'd be working. I wouldn't get in your way!" She leaned closer, snatching the documents from his hands, forcing him to finally look at her. "My major is stage production, Blaine. This is the perfect opportunity for hands-on experience. And Ichiro Yamada will be there! He might even give me personal guidance. Please, just take me with you!"

"No." His answer was firm. "Ichiro Yamada? So what?"

"So what?!" Chloe gawked at him. "He's a master of the industry! Do you know how rare it is to get the chance to learn from him?"

"He's only famous in Japan." Blaine snorted. "If you really want to train under a master, I'll send you to CN in France. Sophie Leroux is the real deal—an internationally recognized talent."

"France?" Chloe's expression faltered. That would mean being separated from him. "Forget it, I don't want to go."

"Then drop it. That kind of work is exhausting, anyway."

"Why are you like this?" Chloe whined, her lower lip jutting out in a pout. "Do you really want me to go all the way to France? Do you want to be away from me that badly?"

Blaine smirked at her childish expression and flicked her forehead playfully. "I'll grant you one wish—anything but coming to Senrei Wang with me."

Chloe's eyes widened. "You swear?"

"I swear."

A slow, wicked smile spread across her face. "Then don't regret it!"