Chapter 9

Tobias lived a life that was all about routine - neat, boring, zero surprises. Normally, he wouldn't have tolerated anyone getting this close. But today? Totally not like him.

Lisette had their fingers intertwined, and her warm palm was pressed against his forehead. He didn't pull away - in fact, there was this weird tingling, like static buzzing through his skin. He just stared at her.

Lisette's eyebrows were slightly drawn together, trying to sense any difference in temperature.

"Doesn't feel hot..." she muttered. Maybe she messed up?

When she was little, her grandma used to check for a fever by pressing their foreheads together. So she figured, why not try that? She leaned in, touching her forehead lightly to his.

Now they were really close.

Like, nose-to-nose close.

And their lips? Barely an inch apart.

Lisette murmured, "Your temperature's normal. No fever."

A strange flicker lit up in Tobias's usually calm eyes. The tips of his ears were starting to go red.

Lisette stepped back and finally let go. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"...No."

For the first time ever, Tobias felt a bit awkward with someone looking at him so directly. Clearing his throat, he straightened his shirt collar and stood up.

He was tall and upright, not a trace of sickness on him.

Lisette realized she'd worried for nothing. She shot a glare at Elliot. "False alarm much?"

Elliot, who had just watched his boss get completely low-key-flirted with: 'Lady, are you mad at me because your seduction didn't work? Not fair, boohoo!'

---

The car ride was unusually quiet.

Lisette kept thinking about the project proposal Tobias had given her, made a quick call to the Cavendish household, and then followed him back to his sleek place in Veridia.

Tobias handed her the files and went straight upstairs to his room.

Lisette claimed a seat on the couch, flipping through his detailed analysis of each project. Each risk point, each angle - written so clearly it was almost beginner-friendly. The more she read, the more impressed she got.

She went through it a few times and started to get why he'd picked the projects he did. Even felt inspired enough to pick a few promising stocks herself.

'No clue if I'm on the right track,' she thought, knocking softly on Tobias's door, all nervous and curious.

Thud.

There he was - draped in a bathrobe.

With that tall frame, even a plain robe looked like high fashion on him.

Tobias had one hand on the doorknob, the other ruffling a towel through his still-damp hair.

Lisette froze. "Oh my god - sorry! I didn't know you were showering. I can come back - "

"Come on in."

He stepped aside. Once she was in, he shut the door. "I'm done. Go ahead."

Lisette stood near him, her eyes drifting up. His messy black hair was clinging to his forehead, his brows sharp, and those eyes practically glowing under the light. Crystal clear. Like gems.

He seemed softer tonight. Less aloof, more... warm. Especially when -

Tobias tilted his head to look at her. His robe had slipped open slightly, showing off a toned chest and a glimpse of those elusive abs.

Lisette looked away fast. "It's nothing major - just, um-ah!"

She must've stepped on something, because her foot slipped. She reached out instinctively, grabbing him for balance.

Tobias reacted quick, catching her arm in time.

"Thanks," she breathed, steadying herself. She looked up to thank him properly-and froze.

Crap.

She'd yanked his robe tie loose. That trendy tan skin tone, those broad shoulders and defined abs - it all hit her in one go.

The air was so thick with testosterone it could knock someone out. Yeah... the view was great, but the awkwardness? Off the charts.

Lisette fumbled to tie his robe back, her voice lower than a whisper: "I didn't mean to..."

No matter how hard she tried, the knot just wouldn't hold.

Tobias stood there tall and still, eyes quietly watching her fluster.

They'd been married a year but barely spent any real time together. And every time they did meet, she always kept her distance - icy stare, zero emotion, like she was allergic to him. He'd learned to keep his space.

Now? Her slender, graceful fingers were tangled around his robe tie, her low ponytail hanging lazily down her back, revealing a bit of her soft pink nape - it looked like it was glowing under soft light.

Maybe from the rush, there was a delicate layer of mist on her neck, almost like a blush. Her fingers, all jittery, kept brushing across his abs. It felt... electric.

Strange. Tingly. New.

His light-colored eyes subtly darkened, like twin suns igniting behind them. His ears turned faintly red.

"I got it." Tobias gently took the belt from her and walked over to the window, tying it with practiced ease. He did it so fast, Lisette didn't even catch his expression.

She lowered her gaze. There lay the pen on the floor - it matched the wooden flooring so well it was basically camo. No wonder she'd missed it.

Picking it up, Lisette muttered, "You're the reason I made a fool of myself..."

Just thinking of those sculpted muscles made her cheeks flush pink. Two lifetimes and this was the first time she'd accidentally "harassed" a guy. Should she say something? Clear the air a bit?

"About earlier -"

Before Lisette could continue, Tobias came back from the water dispenser with two glasses. His face had already returned to that no-nonsense look, completely in control. Even in a bathrobe, the man looked like he was about to step into a meeting.

Lisette mentally rolled her eyes at herself. 'He's the 'victim' here and doesn't even seem to care. What am I stressing over like a drama queen for?'

Deep breath. Chill.

Lisette pulled herself together, walked over, and put the pen on the table. "I think this belongs to you. No clue when it ended up on the floor, but I stepped on it and that's why I slipped. Thanks for catching me just in time, or I would've fallen flat on all fours."

Tobias gave her legs a brief once-over and said casually, "You've only got two legs. Can't really end up all fours in the air."

"...Seriously? That's your takeaway?" She was kind of impressed by his deadpan delivery.

"Maybe," he said, glancing at the pen. "Probably slipped out of my pocket when I changed."

His voice had a rough edge to it - maybe from the steamy shower - but it sounded ridiculously attractive.

Lisette wasn't usually into voices, but damn. From a talent agent's perspective, Tobias was wasting all that potential. That face, that voice - he should've been a celeb. If he debuted, Maverick wouldn't even be in the game.

Tobias sat down without waiting, and when Lisette didn't say anything for a beat, he finally prompted, "You had something to talk about, right? Sit."

"Oh, right!"

She pulled out her phone, sat beside him, and showed him a few stocks she'd picked. "I went through your risk analysis and narrowed it down a bit based on that. Mind looking over them for me?"

As Tobias skimmed the screen, a faint smile crept onto his lips.

And that smile-

Lisette was suddenly nervous, heart racing like a schoolkid waiting for a test score. She blurted, "Did I mess it up, Boss Daddy?"

Even Tobias flinched at that one. "...Daddy?"

Lisette coughed. "It's a startup thing - we call major backers 'Daddy clients.' Power and money, you know?"

Tobias frowned slightly, his tone dry. "I thought we were friends. Now I'm your dad?"