My Bratty Wife
Chapter 77 - Seventy Seven

Chapter 77: Chapter Seventy Seven

"Stop it, Ryan," Suzy snapped, trying to sound stern. "This is serious."

But even as she scolded him, her gaze was drawn to his face, his eyes, and the way his hair fell carelessly over his forehead. He was undeniably handsome, even in his weakened state. A flicker of something strange, a mix of admiration and something else, stirred within her.

"You’re right," Ryan said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "This is serious."

He leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. Suzy’s breath caught in her throat as she realized his intentions. The proximity, the scent of his cologne, and the intensity in his eyes were a potent combination, sending her senses into overdrive.

" Since you asked, what about you, could you be alone with me?" She asked him trying to divert his attention.

Silence.

She wanted to pull away, to reassert her boundaries, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own. She was frozen, unable to move or speak.

Ryan’s eyes scanned her face, his gaze lingering on her lips. A slow, seductive smile curved his lips. "You’re very tempting, Duchess," he murmured, his voice a husky whisper.

Suzy’s heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to maintain her composure. "You’re losing it," she managed to say, her voice laced with disbelief. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting now?"

Ryan’s eyes held a mischievous glint. "Just answering your question, Duchess," he replied, his voice low and husky. "You asked if I’d be alone with you, and I’m simply exploring the possibilities."

Suzy felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. This man had a way of disarming her with his words and actions. "You’re being ridiculous," she retorted, trying to sound stern but failing miserably.

"Am I?" he mused, a playful smile curving his lips. "Or are you simply uncomfortable with the idea of spending some alone time with your husband?"

Suzy rolled her eyes, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks. "Whatever," she muttered.

"So, to clarify," Ryan continued, his voice laced with amusement, "you’re suggesting that sharing a room with your husband is somehow inappropriate?"

Suzy’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t meant to imply that. She just wanted to put a stop to his teasing. But now, his words had a different meaning, a more intimate implication.

"Of course not," she stammered, her mind racing. "It’s just... well, it’s not ideal, that’s all I’m... "

She tried to continue , but no words came out. She couldn’t deny the truth behind his words. There was an undeniable intimacy in the shared silence, a connection that went beyond the confines of their arranged marriage.

"Stop it, Ryan," she finally managed, her voice barely a whisper. " just stop joking around, don’t you mean you hate it? You weren’t this calm about it in the palace."

"is that important though?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you’re confusing me."

Ryan’s eyes softened. "Confusing you?" he echoed, his voice gentle. "How so, Duchess?"

"You’re acting... different," she stammered, struggling to articulate her thoughts. "One moment you’re treating me like a child, lecturing me on every little thing, and the next, you’re acting like... like..." she trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Like what?" Ryan prompted, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

"Like you... I don’t know," she confessed, frustration creeping into her voice. "Like you don’t hate me."

Ryan’s expression turned serious. "Hate you?" he echoed, his voice filled with disbelief. "Why would I hate you, Duchess?"

Suzy hesitated, unsure how to respond. The truth was, she wasn’t entirely sure herself. Their relationship had been a complex interplay of attraction, repulsion, and mutual exasperation.

"You’re always fighting with me," she finally said, her voice barely audible. "Lecturing me on what to do and what not to do. You treat me like a child,an object, incapable of making my own decisions."

Her mind raced, trying to process the implications of her words. "Isn’t that what we’ve been doing lately since our marriage?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. "You dislike me, hate me, while I disdain and loathe you. What in heaven’s world is going on here now?"

"I never hated you," Ryan said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Not even once."

Suzy’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was impossible. He, the man who constantly criticized her, who found fault with everything she did, didn’t hate her? A wave of confusion washed over her.

"Why? How come?" she managed to ask, her voice barely a whisper.

Ryan pondered his answer, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Let me see," he mused aloud, as if weighing countless possibilities.

Internally, he was laughing at himself. Annoyed? Yes, countless times. Frustrated? Definitely. But hated her? Never. There was a certain charm to her chaos, a refreshing unpredictability that kept him on his toes.

There are many reasons for me to be like that though and she makes it so easy to annoy me, to get under my skin. She don’t follow decorum, she’s messy, impulsive, fiercely independent and she has a stubborn streak that would put a mule to shame. She’s everything a proper lady shouldn’t be, everything the rigid confines of nobility despised. And yet, here I am, inexplicably drawn to her.

He thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

She don’t give me a chance to see the ’weak and fragile’ side of her. She’s always the strong, independent woman, ready to take on the world.

"Do you really want an explanation?" Ryan asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Because I doubt you’d believe me anyway. You’re already looking at me like I’ve grown a second head."

Suzy’s face flushed a deeper shade of red. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was he serious? Did he really think she would fall for such a lame excuse?

"Just forget it," she mumbled, trying to sound indifferent.

"Are you okay?" Ryan asked, his voice filled with concern. "Why is your face so red all of a sudden?"

"It’s hot in here."

As she open her mouth to speak, her gaze fell on the loose fabric belt tied around her waist. With a deft movement, Ryan reached out and tugged at it, causing it to unravel.

Suzy gasped, her hand instinctively flying to catch the belt before it touched the ground. "Hey!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in protest.

Ryan’s eyes widened in mock surprise. "What? You were saying how hot it was in here just a moment ago."

Suzy could feel her face burning with embarrassment. How could she have been so careless?

"I... I didn’t mean it like that," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Ryan leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin. "Then what did you mean?" he whispered, his voice husky.

Suzy’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t look away from his intense gaze. It was as if he was trying to read her mind, to uncover the secrets hidden deep within her.

"Nothing," she finally managed to say, her voice barely a whisper.

Ryan’s smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "You’re burning up," he said, his hand reaching out to touch her forehead. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes."

Ryan’s eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. "Are you sure?" he asked, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

Suzy swatted his hand away. "I’m fine," she insisted, her voice stronger this time. "It’s just the heat."

Ryan’s eyes twinkled with amusement. "You sure about that, Duchess?" he teased. "You seem to be emitting more heat than me. The heat seems to have brought out a rather interesting shade of pink on your cheeks."

Suzy ignored his comment, focusing on her task of getting away from him. "You seem to be recovering quite nicely,"

"I heard something that made my fever disappear all of a sudden," he said, his voice teasing.

"Seems the fever went straight to your head " she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. " Dr. Abernathy should give himself a pat on the back and should get a raise. He has done his best."

Ryan grinned. "I think he deserves all the credit," he replied. "He’s a miracle worker, that one."

Suzy rolled her eyes. "Well, whatever he did, it seems to have worked wonders," she said, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "I think I’ll leave you to your recovery. My help isn’t needed."

" But I’m still sick" his grin faded.

Suzy glared at him, her annoyance growing. "Do it yourself," she said. " get off me!!"

With that, she pushed him off her as she got down from the sofa and tied her belt on her waist. Ryan watched as she turned to leave, a pang of disappointment shooting through him. He had enjoyed their banter, the playful banter that seemed to be a rare occurrence between them.

"Wait," he called out, his voice suddenly hoarse. "Where are you going?"

Suzy paused, turning to face him. "To my room," she replied, her voice firm. "I have things to do."

"Like what?" Ryan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It’s none of your business," she replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Ryan watched as she starts leaving, a series of audible murmurs came out of her mouth as she closed the door behind her.

"I’m actually going crazy , I’m sure about it. She’s making me crazy.

He laid back on the sofa as reached for the bowl of water and the soft towel, the cool cloth a welcome relief to his feverish brow. As he applied the damp cloth to his forehead, his thoughts drifted back to the moment he had held Suzy in his arms. The feel of her in his arms, the scent of her perfume, the way her eyes had widened in surprise – it was all a heady mix of emotions that he couldn’t quite explain.

He was drawn to her, Inexplicably drawn. It was as if there was a magnetic pull between them, a connection that went beyond mere attraction. He had always seen her as a strong, independent woman, capable of handling anything life threw her way. But now, seeing her vulnerability, her concern for him, he realized that there was a softer side to her, a side he had never seen before.

And perhaps, just perhaps, he was falling for her.