Battle Divorce! - Chapter 33
Chapter 17.1
“I-it’s just been a while since I last smoked! I’m usually really good at it.”
Daisy blurted out an excuse that no one asked for. Even she realized how foolish she sounded, and it was mortifying. Maxim, however, seemed unfazed. He leaned back on the sofa, elbow propped on the armrest and chin resting in his palm, watching her with a faint, amused smile.
What was she supposed to do now? Her face felt like it might explode from the humiliation.
The silence between them dragged on, growing more awkward by the second.
“…Don’t laugh.”
“My apologies.”
When Daisy hissed the words, Maxim offered a short apology and tried to—unsuccessfully—wipe the smile off his face
“Are you planning to keep smoking that, Izzy?”
“Why do you care?”
Is he mocking me just because I coughed a little?
Daisy’s eyes narrowed as his gaze flicked to the cigar in her hand.
“I stole it, so it’s mine now, and I’ll do what I want with it. Or are you regretting letting me take it because it’s expensive?”
“No, not at all. It just looks dangerous the way you’re fumbling with it.”
“I’m not a child. You’re worrying over nothing. I’m only trying to enjoy one for the first time in ages, so stop fuss—”
Before she could finish, Maxim suddenly snatched the cigar right out of Daisy’s hand.
Startled, Daisy lurched forward, trying not to let go of.
The ash danglings from the tip trembled, then plummeted. Landing directly on Maxim’s thigh.
Oh. So that’s why he called it dangerous.
Daisy froze, her face draining of color as the ember singed a hole through his bathrobe.
“Oh no… Are you okay?”
“It’s fine… sigh… really,” Maxim said through gritted teeth. He was clearly not fine.
I didn’t mean to hurt him. Why do I always have to be so stubborn?
Looking utterly distraught, Daisy frantically dusted the ash off his thigh.
“Did I burn you? I’m so sorry.”
Is his skin this tough because he’s a soldier? The muscle beneath her fingers felt as hard as a rock, but it was still hot ash. Burns stung regardless of toughness. The more she brushed, the tenser his muscles became.
“S-should I get a wet towel or…?”
“I said it’s fine.”
Maxim set the cigar on the ashtray and seized her wrist, halting her movements.
His grip felt oddly urgent.
Their eyes locked, tension crackling between them.
“If you’re so concerned, why not check for yourself? See exactly how I’m doing.”
“What?”
At her bewildered blink, Maxim silently tilted his chin downward.
Daisy followed his gaze, and her eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. A distinct and terrifying bulge strained against his robe.
“Why is it…”
…Standing like that?
She gaped, speechless.
She knew he was a pervert, but what part of this got him excited?
Shouldn’t he be focused on the burn and the pain?
Then it struck her. When she’d split his lip earlier…
“Haah… Darling, are you scared?”
“How adorable.”
…He smiled warmly, almost as if delighted.
Could he possibly have masochistic tendencies? Like, the type who gets turned on by pain?
If that’s why he got an er*ction even after being burned…
Strangely enough, it kind of made sense.
This was entirely unexpected, considering he looked every bit as ruthless and domineering as they come.
As a flicker of disdain crossed Daisy’s face, and Maxim’s expression darkened.
“Frankly, I should be asking. Are you truly this clueless, or are you deliberately toying with me?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“You touched me, Daisy.”
Is he seriously blaming me? Oh-o, what a perfectly false accusation.
But to be fair, Maxim also looked genuinely aggrieved.
“When did I ever—”
Daisy mentally retraced her actions.
‘Wait… he got hard because my hand touched his thigh while dusting off the ash?’
The realization hit her like a brick, and Daisy’s face flushed scarlet.
“If you’re not going to help, stop staring. It’s only making things worse.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“I’m beginning to think the cigar isn’t the only thing you stole.”
Before she could react, Maxim closed the distance between them, forcing Daisy to lean back.
‘What’s happening? Why is he suddenly acting like this?’
Caught completely off guard, her green eyes darted around nervously.
For a moment, Daisy nearly reacted on instinct, almost landing a punch to Maxim’s jaw, but she managed to hold herself back just in time.
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