Naylor was completely rattled. He just couldn’t stomach the idea. One minute, this woman was throwing herself at him, practically begging for his affection, and the next, she was ready to jump into bed with some old man.

The thought alone made him feel utterly humiliated. “Oh, you want to pay the interest, huh? When do you plan on doing that?” His tone changed abruptly.

Katrina had just flashed a flirtatious smile at the old man when she heard Naylor’s words. She blinked, thrown off. “What are you talking about?”

“Tonight. How about tonight?”

“Tonight… for what?”

She was still trying to process, but he’d already grabbed her wrist and was pulling her away.

“Wait, hang on! My purse is still at the table!” Katrina tugged back in a hurry.

Naylor finally let go, impatient. “Hurry up!”

Now she caught up, giving him a searching look. “Are you serious?”

“What, are you scared?”

“Please. If anyone’s scared, it’s always you.”

He just stared at her, not bothering to reply.

Still, something felt off to her. She hesitated. “Aren’t you worried I’ll try to pin something on you?”

He showed disdain in his eyes. “You? Please. I’ve been around the block more times than I can count. You’re not in my league.”

That stung a little. Katrina couldn’t help but feel she was getting the short end of the stick. Was this really how she wanted to start something—with a guy who was basically a notorious playboy? What if she fell too deep and couldn’t get out, and he just decided to walk away when he got bored? Could she live with that?

“Forget it, then.” Naylor saw her falter and immediately turned to leave.

“Wait!” Katrina called after him. “Let me grab my bag.”

She dashed back to the table. The old man’s face lit up—he was about to say something, but she just snatched her purse and made for the door.

“Hey. Ms. Lester, you—”

“Sorry, sir. Please let Mr. Waller know—I’ll come back for what’s mine, sooner or later! If anyone thinks they can buy my freedom with a check, they’re dreaming!” With that, Katrina clutched her purse and bolted.

On the drive to Naylor’s place, the silence between them was electric, thick with anticipation. The less they spoke, the more tension simmered in the air.

By the time they arrived, Naylor had to roll down the window just to cool himself off.

The moment the elevator doors closed behind them, it was impossible to tell who made the first move. Maybe it did matter. The second their lips met, it was urgent, hungry, impossible to separate.

In the security office downstairs, a young guard nudged his coworker, both of them staring wide-eyed at the monitor, transfixed as they zoomed in on the elevator footage.

Too bad—the ride was over in seconds.

The pair staggered out like dance partners midway through a wild waltz, hands all over each other, bumping and spinning their way out of the elevator.

As soon as the apartment door swung open, their belongings hit the floor, completely forgotten.

Clothes trailed from the entryway through the living room and into the bedroom, a path of reckless abandon.

But just as things were about to go too far, Katrina pressed a hand to Naylor’s chest. She knew he’d probably get mad, but she had to ask, “You… don’t have HIV, right?”

After all, Neo Haven’s high society had just been rocked by a scandal—Micah Sheridan and others caught in a nightmare, every rich kid in town was suddenly running off to get tested.

And Naylor? He was hardly an innocent.

He did look annoyed, letting out a sharp laugh. “Relax. I’m not reckless, just romantic. I take good care of myself—can’t enjoy life if you’re not careful.”

The unspoken message: he valued his life, and he knew exactly where to draw the line.

Growing up in a family of doctors, he’d been hearing health lectures since he was a kid.

Thinking of his close friendship with Jamison, Katrina decided to trust him.

But then, Naylor hesitated, giving her one last out. “If you’re not sure, you can still back out now.”

But Katrina hated his fussing. She just wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard.

What happened after that was for the two of them alone.

Now, as Katrina recalled the wildness of that night, her cheeks flushed deep red, as if she’d been boiled alive. “So… yeah, that’s about it. The next morning, I made sure to take the morning-after pill right in front of him, just to make it crystal clear—I wasn’t trying to trap him, and I wasn’t looking for trouble.”

Finishing her story, Katrina left Ivy thoroughly entertained—finally something to break the monotony of being sick and bedridden for weeks.

“No wonder! That one time you two came to visit me, I could feel the weird tension, but you barely spoke—I thought maybe you just weren’t close.”

Turns out, they were a little too close—so close it was awkward to show it in front of friends.

Katrina, suddenly shy and awkward, kept her eyes down, picking at her fingers. A far cry from the bold woman who’d practically pounced on Naylor.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open. Jamison walked in—he never missed a chance to check in when he had a free moment.

“Dr. Ludwig’s here,” Katrina said, jumping to her feet, nerves written all over her face. “Um… Ivy, I should go. I’ve got to get back to campus.”

She grabbed her bag and hurried out before anyone could stop her.

Jamison frowned, watching her retreat, then turned to his wife. “Did I do something to offend her? She always bolts the second I walk in.”

Ivy couldn’t help but laugh. “Guess why.”

“Not a clue. Other people’s drama isn’t my business.” Jamison shrugged, then leaned over to help Ivy turn over and gently massaged her hands and feet.

Ivy looked up at him, a mischievous spark in her eyes. “She slept with your best friend. That’s why she can’t look you in the eye.”