Katrina"s casual words make Aaron angry. "Stop it!"Although he knows that she"s only doing it to feign optimism, Aaron feels a surge of pain in his heart at her casual take on her life. It"s more painful for him to see than the previous dejected expression on her face.
To stop her from spouting nonsense, Aaron gathers her in his arms. He holds her tightly, pressing her body against his.
How could she talk about her own life like this? He can"t let her think this way.
As long as Aaron is alive, he won"t let her leave him. Even if she flees to the other end of the world, he will follow her and get her back. Even if she tries to kill herself, he will bring her back from the dead. He won"t let her go anywhere unless it"s by his side.
Katrina is his woman.
Even if she doesn"t have a father, he can take his place and dote on her, as long as she is obedient. Even if she doesn"t have any relatives, he can take their place and take care of her, as long as she gives up the idea of leaving him.
He can give her anything she lacks, as long as it"s within his reach.
Aaron has never made such a promise to any woman in his life. But he is willing to give her a lifetime of glory.
In Aaron"s strong arms, Katrina finds warmth in his embrace. He is holding her so tightly that it starts to hurt. But in her loneliness and sadness, the embrace gives her a comfort she desperately needs.
Katrina doesn"t push him away.
Unlike Marcellus"s cautious embrace, Aaron"s embrace is domineering and forceful. As soon as she breaks up with Marcellus, she runs into another man"s arms.
Katrina knows it isn"t right, but can"t push Aaron away. At this vulnerable moment in her life, she needs all the emotional support she can get.
Katrina closes her eyes.
Using her drunken state as an excuse, she lets herself be shameless just this once.
Katrina"s soft pet.i.te body is pressed tightly against Aaron"s in his firm embrace. Amidst the heavy smell of alcohol, he can smell her distinct scent.
He feels weak against the pull of her soft body and her familiar soothing scent. He can even feel her soft body even through her clothes.
Aaron hasn"t held Katrina like this in a long time. He really misses the touch of her body, the scent of her skin. He is completely reluctant to let her go.
Since Aaron came to Abbe City, Katrina always keeps her guard up every time she sees him, never letting him get too close. Like a feral wild cat, her hackles rise at the sight of him. The closer he gets to her, the more she becomes hostile and avoids him.
It"s very rare for her to remain so quiet and docile in his arms like this. She is only willing to let him hold her while she"s drunk.
The thought leaves Aaron bereft.
For now, he enjoys the pleasure of holding her in his arms.
After a long time, Aaron"s tight embrace makes Katrina gasp for air. The alcohol in her system also starts to take effect. Katrina feels a sudden twinge of nausea in her stomach.
Katrina starts to gag and shoves Aaron away. "Aaron, let me go. I feel sick."
Aaron is still reluctant to let Katrina go. But with the moment spoiled, he feels very uncomfortable. Instead of releasing her, he says, "I don"t mind if you throw up in my arms."
He can easily throw away his clothes and take a bath if she throws them. He just wants to keep holding her like this.
What the h.e.l.l? Katrina is speechless. Is this the same Aaron who would throw people out of his room for touching his bed?
Apart from how much she might throw up in this condition, she will end up vomiting on her clothes with him holding her so tightly. Katrina shudders at the thought. "Aaron, don"t be ridiculous! Let me go," she insists, struggling out of his grasp.
With a great deal of reluctance, Aaron finally releases Katrina. He takes the remaining beer bottles out of the bag and gives it to her.
Bending over in pain, Katrina throws up the contents of her stomach.
Aaron rubs her back, soothingly. "Stupid woman! Don"t drink so much if you can"t handle it! Idiot!" His harsh words contradict his gentle actions. Seeing Katrina torture herself so severely for the sake of another man irritates him.
After Katrina vomits, the intoxication in her eyes seems to deepen.
Aaron unscrews a bottle of water and hands it over to her wordlessly. Then he throws the bottles of beer into a garbage bin nearby.
After rinsing her mouth, Katrina looks at Aaron blankly. "Aaron, I"m sleepy. I want to go home."
Because of Katrina"s drunken state, her soft tone sounds coquettish, making Aaron"s heart pound heavily. She can hardly keep her eyes open. She is unable to walk by herself.
Aaron stands in front of her. With his back to her, he crouches down to her level.
Katrina looks at him in confusion. "Why are you standing in my way? Get out of my way!" she slurs.
What an idiot! Aaron rolls his eyes. He is offering to give her a piggyback ride. This woman has no romantic bone in her body!
Aaron grits his teeth. "Hop on! I"ll take you home!"
Katrina is so drunk, and she would end up in the trash the next day if he lets her go on her own. There is no way she can walk back by herself.
Aaron seldom drives a woman home, let alone carry someone so selflessly. But today, he is willing to bend down in front of her.
He has gone to this extent for her. If she hooks up another man after this, I"ll throw her onto the bed and give her a good f.u.c.k, so she never leaves my side again! He growls to himself.
"Okay!" Katrina nods in understanding and climbs onto his back.
Holding her fair, slender legs, Aaron hoists her weight to secure her in place. He straightens up and strides towards the parking lot.
Katrina is light, so Aaron doesn"t have any difficulty while he walks to his car.
The moment reminds Katrina so much of her father carrying her during her childhood that it gives her a sense of security she hasn"t felt since her youth. With her arms looped around Aaron"s neck, she pa.s.ses out in restful sleep.