MTL NOVEL Chapter 63: Practical
The late afternoon sun dripped like honey over Sil's broad shoulders as he finished hammering the last plank onto the orphanage roof. His shirt, sweat-soaked and discarded, lay forgotten on the ground, leaving him bare-chested as he flexed tired muscles with a satisfied sigh.
Sil wiped sweat from his brow, the blazing sun painting his muscles with a glistening sheen as he descended from the roof. Bits of debris scattered around his feet, remnants of his laborious afternoon patching the orphanage roof. He sighed deeply, stretching his shoulders, grateful for a moment's peace. But peace, as he'd come to learn, rarely visited long these days.
Just as he stretched out the soreness, a familiar presence slinked out from the woods, brushing twigs carelessly from her clothes.
As if summoned by the unspoken thought, Bliss emerged silently from the surrounding woods, a graceful silhouette parting through the greenery with feline ease. Sil groaned, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"What is it now, Bliss?" His voice was tired but tinged with impatience.
She lifted an elegant eyebrow, amusement dancing across her lips as she stepped into a clearer view. Sil's eyes widened ever so slightly, instantly caught by surprise. Bliss stood confidently in the dappled sunlight, sandals hugging her slender ankles, a scandalously short skirt hugging her hips. Her crop halter top, little more than a whisper of silky fabric, offered a generous view of toned midriff, shoulders kissed by the sun, and curves that his eyes lingered upon before he could reel himself back to a more respectable focus.
Sil groaned aloud, rolling his eyes skyward. Then, a little louder this time, in case she missed it before he nearly shouted, "Oh, for gods' sake, Bliss—what could you possibly want now?"
Bliss stepped forward casually, her every movement rippling with effortless grace. Sil's gaze involuntarily traveled downward again, registering her unexpected attire- He'd never noticed before how lean and athletic she was beneath those concealing cloaks. Or how extraordinarily enticing that generous swell of cleavage was, rising gently with each breath.
He cleared his throat, blinking to regain his composure, as Bliss smiled slyly, her blue eyes sparkling with barely contained mischief. "What? Can't a girl come say hello without suspicion?"
He frowned slightly, eyes narrowed. "Not when the girl's name is Bliss. So, what's so urgent that you've come to find me here?"
She stepped closer, eyes trailing openly over his chest, glistening with sweat and speckled with sawdust. "Sil, I just thought you should know something. We may have to work closely again soon. And despite what you may think of me, I am the one who brought Mundus to you that day."
Sil nearly dropped the plank, shock momentarily overriding his distraction. "You... what?"
She shrugged, stepping forward and effortlessly lifting a broken piece of wood herself. "Believe it or not, I didn't relish the idea of your untimely demise."
She nodded seriously, stepping closer still. Her proximity made him tense, aware suddenly of how long it'd been since anyone had gotten this close—how long it'd been since anyone had made his blood heat in this particular way.
"Since when do you care about my life, Bliss?" He bent down stiffly, scooping up some heavy, broken roofing and throwing it down onto the pile he'd started earlier.
Her eyes roamed freely, lingering appreciatively on the ripple of muscles in his back, the flex of his biceps. Bliss shrugged nonchalantly. "I care about all life, Sil. You should know that by now."
He gave her a dubious look, straightening up again with another armful of debris, tossing it aside with a grunt. Bliss bent gracefully beside him, picking up chunks of wood without hesitation. He couldn't help but sneak another glance as she moved; her skirt rode precariously high with every bend. A faint flush crept into his cheeks, heart beating quicker.
"You... helping me with manual labor?" He chuckled skeptically. "What's the catch?"
Bliss raised an elegant brow, matching his skeptical look as she brushed past him, close enough to smell like jasmine and sandalwood. "Maybe there is no catch. Maybe I just felt like doing something nice."
He shook his head slightly, hiding a smirk. "You doing something nice? Should I be worried?"
Her laughter rang softly like wind chimes as she straightened again, stepping dangerously close. He held his breath, suddenly acutely aware of her heat, her scent, her lingering gaze. Their eyes met briefly, charged with a tension neither quite wanted to acknowledge.
Bliss stared, her gaze lingering appreciatively on his toned physique as he maneuvered the plank. Her lips parted slightly, her eyes subtly betraying more than professional interest. Sil noticed the heat in her stare but said nothing, though he found himself standing straighter under her gaze, ego traitorously soothed.
She met his eyes again, masking the lustful intensity quickly. She hesitated, shifting her stance, which subtly accentuated the curves that had so effectively captured his attention. "I saw you dying in a vision. That's why I brought Mundus."
He frowned, uncertain. "I find it suspicious that you conveniently let that out now."
"Suspicious or not, you're alive." She flashed him a coy look, the playful spark in her eyes now impossible to miss. "You're welcome."
Sil sighed, rolling his eyes, yet reluctantly murmured, "Fine, thank you." A heavy pause lingered. "For the help, too," he gestured toward the debris she'd begun to gather.
Bliss chuckled softly, brushing close enough that her bare shoulder grazed his arm, sending a teasing spark through his veins. "You know, there's no hidden agenda here. Can't I just do nice things?"
"Nice things aren't exactly your usual MO," he shot back dryly, shifting another piece of debris. Despite his wary words, his gaze kept trailing back to her tantalizing form—tight muscles moving beneath smooth skin, curves accentuated dangerously by the minimal fabric. His blood pulsed traitorously, imagination ignited with reckless abandon.
She smiled knowingly, eyes glinting. "Enjoying the view, are we?"
Sil cleared his throat, feeling heat rise up his neck. "I just didn't realize how…fit you were. Usually, you're draped in a cloak."
She laughed musically, stretching her arms over her head in a deliberate, sensual arch that sent his pulse spiraling. "Well, now you know."
He swallowed hard, quickly looking away and pretending sudden intense interest in a cracked wooden beam at his feet. "I... just never noticed before."
She grinned impishly. "It's summer, and cloaks aren't exactly comfortable."
He laughed lightly, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Right. Practical."
She explained casually, stepping nearer. "I didn't think you'd mind."
"I don't," Sil replied, sharper than he intended. She tilted her head curiously, causing him to clear his throat awkwardly and soften his voice.
Sil quickly turned, trying to conceal the flush that betrayed the warmth flooding his veins. "I just didn't realize you'd be the type to stroll through the woods dressed like…" he trailed off, gesturing vaguely, "...like that."
She laughed softly, crossing her arms beneath her ample cleavage, enhancing the already devastating view. Sil clenched his jaw, mentally berating himself for noticing at all.