His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 81: Drunken Tenderness

Julian gently patted her head with his other hand. "These are just regular steps. It might not work out."

"I know," Iris said as she rested her cheek on his arm. She closed her warm eyes and sighed softly. "If you hadn't taken me here to meet them, my drugs would never get into hospitals. How could I compete fairly with other drug companies?"

"Not nervous anymore?"

The alcohol hit her slowly. Iris looked a little tired, her head starting to feel hot. She leaned her cheek against Julian's firm arm, half-asleep. "No, not nervous."

Julian lowered his arm a little to make her more comfortable.

Iris was half-drunk, murmuring dazedly, "I thought you were taking me out to talk business and using connections. I was so nervous and ashamed. But not now. My drugs are getting into hospitals the right way, competing fairly with others on my own."

Julian's voice was extra soft. "Using connections? That's not like you, Iris."

*****

They got home at nine o'clock that night.

Julian typed in the password, helped the drunk Iris into the hallway, took out a soft leather stool from under the cabinet, and set her down on it.

Julian knelt down on one knee, took out her slippers, and reached to take off her white casual shoes.

Iris quickly pulled her foot back to avoid his touch. Her voice was slurred from the alcohol, dazed and soft. "I'll change them myself. I'm not drunk. Don't touch me."

She bent down, her voice lazy. "My shoes are dirty."

Julian froze for a few seconds. He put on his own slippers and turned to close the door.

When he turned back, Iris had already changed her shoes and walked into the living room. She stumbled unsteadily and plopped down on the sofa.

Julian put her shoes and his own into the shoe cabinet and pressed the disinfection button.

He walked into the living room, took off his jacket, went to the bedroom to wash his hands first, and then came out with a disinfecting wipe.

Julian sat on the sofa and pulled the half-lying Iris up to lean on his shoulder. Looking at her flushed cheeks, he couldn't help smiling softly. He took her hand and wiped it gently.

"Don't take a bath tonight, okay? Do it tomorrow morning," Julian said as he wiped her fingers gently, his voice soft.

Iris leaned on the sofa, squinting her blurry eyes at him. She asked in a lazy tone, "Why?"

"I'm scared you'll drown in the tub."

Iris laughed and waved her weak hand. "I'm not drunk."

Julian grabbed her other hand, took a new clean disinfecting wipe, and kept wiping.

"I'll get you some water to soak your feet later. Go to bed early," Julian said as he looked down at her hands. His movements were gentle, his tone light. "You really can't hold your liquor. Don't drink anymore, okay?"

"Okay," Iris replied obediently, standing up and walking forward unsteadily.

Julian looked up at her. "Where are you going?"

"Go to my room to sleep," Iris answered, drunk.

"Come back."

Iris stumbled back and stood at Julian's feet. She looked like a good student, soft and ready to fall over any second. Her eyes were clear and charming, pulling at his heartstrings.

"I'll go get a basin of water for your feet. Sit down first," Julian said. He was about to stand up when Iris turned and sat down.

He didn't expect her to sit directly on his lap. Her soft body leaned against his chest, her face buried in his shoulder.

A faint scent drifted into his nose.

His body stiffened. He put his arms around Iris and leaned back on the sofa, his pupils trembling. He went completely rigid, his chest heaving hard.

After a moment, Julian's Adam's apple moved up and down. His voice turned hoarse and deep. "Iris, I told you to sit on the sofa, not my lap."

Iris lifted her head from his shoulder. Her cheeks were as red as rouge, standing out on her white skin.

Her eyes were blurry and bright, her breath light and warm. She murmured in a soft voice that made his heart tingle, "Sorry. Not your lap. It's the sofa."

She supported herself on Julian's shoulders and slowly stood up.

Suddenly, Julian's big hand grabbed her soft waist, pressed hard, and sat her back down on his lap. He swallowed dryly, his voice hoarse and hot. "It's okay. You can sit on my lap."

Iris tried to open her heavy eyes, looking a little confused. She stammered, "W-Where do you want me to sit?"

Julian's hand on her waist tightened, pulling her closer. His burning eyes were as hot as lava, staring straight at her pretty face. His mouth went dry.

Iris looked so cute when she was drunk. He wanted to take a bite.

Julian's chest heaved violently, his lips and tongue getting drier. His breathing was heavy and messy.

It was like he was fighting a fierce battle in his heart. He raised his hand, hooked the back of Iris's head, and leaned in slowly. His voice was so hoarse it was barely a whisper. "Iris, kiss me."

Iris put her hands on Julian's shoulders, staring at his face dazedly. She obeyed and kissed his cheek.

Julian's body tensed. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled a hot breath through his slightly open mouth.

It was just a kiss on the cheek.

Some things only happen zero times or a hundred times.

He leaned down and kissed her lips.