Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1375

Chapter 1375: First time sleeping together (?)

Perhaps the only consolation Haines had in this arrangement was that Grace wasn’t too pushy. Though she wouldn’t stop teasing him, she knew when to take breaks and simply enjoy the ride. That meant he got moments of silence from time to time.

Curious, Haines glanced at Grace.

She sat idly in the front passenger seat, her elbow still propped on the window, hand resting against her jaw. She gazed outside, squinting slightly with a subtle smile. It wasn’t a big expression, but it was genuine.

He wondered why.

The moment Haines shifted his focus back to the road, Grace raised her brows. Slowly, she turned to him, catching him still staring straight ahead.

"Say..." she started, chuckling as she noticed his jaw tighten. "Do you want to sleep at my place?"

"No, thank you." His response was quick, as if he hadn’t even considered it. "I’m going home after dropping you off."

Grace glanced at the road ahead, recognizing the familiar highway. At this pace, they’d reach her place in about twenty minutes. Too little time, yet too many things she wanted to do with him.

Oh well.

A shallow breath slipped past her lips as she readjusted her posture, now facing forward and watching the road. Her sudden silence made Haines steal another peek at her.

Why was she so quiet all of a sudden?

"Should I drive?" she suggested after a full minute of silence, looking back at him. "We’re already close, so... a twenty-minute break might help you rest."

"It’s alright," he replied flatly. "I’m not sleepy."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I promise I won’t take a detour," she said, raising a hand in mock sincerity. "We’ll go straight home."

Haines arched a brow. To be honest, her offer wasn’t a bad one. It was late, and he was getting a little drowsy. His sleep schedule had been erratic—either he couldn’t sleep, or he woke up too early. The exhaustion was piling up.

Still, his hesitation wasn’t about masculinity or the belief that men should always drive. He might be a little old-fashioned, but not that narrow-minded. The only reason he refused was simple: he didn’t trust her not to take a detour and trick him into staying the night.

"You swear?" he asked, slowing down as he moved into the side lane.

Grace nodded. "Promise."

"..."

Haines weighed his options. After a moment, he sighed. "Don’t break my trust. No detours."

"Sure." She nodded. "I won’t."

Haines slowed down even more, studying her face one last time before pulling over. Before stepping out, he turned to her.

"I’ll end this contract if you break this promise, Grace," he warned.

She only smiled. "How could I let that happen?" she quipped. "Go on. I’ll just crawl over to the driver’s seat."

Haines rocked his head slightly before unbuckling his seatbelt. Without another word, he stepped out, walked around the car, and slid into the front passenger seat. When he opened the door, Grace was already in the driver’s seat, grinning at him.

He didn’t think much of it. Even if she did take a detour, it wouldn’t be the worst thing. At least then, he’d have a reason to walk away from this arrangement completely. Even if she was sick and dying, there had to be other ways to help her.

Not like this.

But surprisingly, Grace stuck to her word.

She didn’t take a detour.

Instead, before even pulling out of the lane, she flicked on the hazard lights... and drove at a snail’s pace.

"What are you doing?" Haines asked, glancing out the window before looking back at her.

’I need to remember she’s a lawyer,’ he told himself, another lesson learned. ’She’ll always find a loophole.’

She knew Haines worked hard. For someone to fall asleep so quickly, his body must have been screaming for rest.

Soon, Grace pulled into the parking lot of her condominium. Turning to Haines, she let out a small breath.

"He should just rest tomorrow," she murmured. "He doesn’t have to attend my birthday celebration."

Even though they only had a month left, she couldn’t be too selfish.

Right?

At that moment, Grace made a decision. She’d give him a few days to rest.

"Haines," she called, poking his shoulder with her index finger. "Haines, we’re here."

A faint grunt escaped him, but he didn’t wake up.

Grace pressed his shoulder again. Still no reaction.

"..." She blinked. Then blinked again. Slowly, realization dawned on her.

She had been trying to wake him up for the past ten minutes.

"I..." Trailing off, she looked away, staring at the windshield. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

Finally, she muttered to herself,

"We might actually end up sleeping together for the first time as lovers..." Her eyes shifted back to him. "...Our first slumber party... in his car."

Well, that was unexpected.

She frowned and sighed. "I was expecting that our first night together will have... one hot messy sex that will leave us asleep the next day." Yet, the corners of her mouth started to curl up. "He would be mortified to hear that remark."