Read Novel Full Chapter 967 Amulet
Chapter 967: Chapter 967 Amulet
Ross and Russell continued working on the cabinet, each movement deliberate and precise.
Ross handled the wood and tools with an ease that made it seem effortless, every joint, hinge, and panel fitting together perfectly under his skilled hands.
Russell, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace, sweat beading on his forehead as he tried to match the rhythm.
The difference in their skill was obvious, and yet Ross did not finish quickly.
He moved with a controlled slowness, deliberately prolonging the task, giving himself more time to observe, to linger near Alexa, and to subtly assert his presence in the household.
Thirty minutes into the work, Carrie entered carrying bowls of freshly cut fruit.
Mangoes glistened with sweet juice, and a smooth avocado blend added a creamy contrast.
The scents filled the room, drawing smiles from everyone.
Alexa and Russell gratefully accepted the offerings, while Ross’s eyes lingered on Carrie for a brief moment, noting the careful attention she had put into the presentation.
"Nina’s not with you?" Alexa asked, curiosity and a hint of concern in her voice.
She raised an eyebrow, remembering how the two sisters usually spent the evenings together, particularly at night when Ross devoted his attention to both.
"Not tonight, Mom. She’s finishing a project and is staying late with her group mates," Carrie replied, setting the bowls on the table with a graceful motion.
Despite the casual tone, Ross noted the slight tension in her voice—a mixture of responsibility and distraction—that subtly mirrored the household’s undercurrent whenever he was present.
After finishing the snacks, they had dinner about two hours later.
The room was filled with the scent of cooked meats, steamed vegetables, and delicate pastries, yet Ross remained entirely focused on the cabinet.
His movements were precise, fluid, almost hypnotic in their perfection.
He could have completed it in a fraction of the time, but he deliberately slowed himself, savoring the opportunity to linger, to let his presence subtly dominate the space.
Russell tried to keep up, following Ross’s instructions and mimicking his techniques as best he could, but it was clear that he would soon exhaust himself if he continued.
Ross noticed every detail—the way Russell’s brow furrowed, the slight fatigue in his movements—and he allowed himself a small, knowing smile.
This wasn’t just about building a cabinet; it was about establishing his rhythm, his control, and subtly setting the tone of the household dynamics.
Meanwhile, Alexa watched quietly, her mind partially on the cabinet, partially on Ross.
She could feel his deliberate pacing, the way he lingered near her, how his presence seemed to fill the room more than the tools or the wood ever could.
There was something magnetic about him, something that drew attention and commanded respect without a single word spoken.
Carrie, too, noticed the difference, a flicker of awareness in her eyes as she observed how effortlessly Ross moved through the space, managing both the task and the subtle influence he held over everyone around him.
As the evening wore on, the sounds of hammering, measured taps, and careful adjustments blended with the soft clatter of dishes and the low murmur of conversation.
Ross’s pace remained steady, slow enough to extend the work, yet precise enough to ensure perfection.
Every movement, every glance, and every subtle gesture served a dual purpose: the completion of the cabinet, and the continued assertion of his presence and dominance in a household that would soon bend, willingly, to his influence.
A few more hours later, Russell finally threw in the towel.
"I’m tired, and I have an early meeting tomorrow. Let’s finish this tomorrow, Ross," he said, rubbing his temples as he tried to stretch away the fatigue from hours of awkwardly handling tools.
"It’s fine, Russell. Go on. I’ll finish it tonight. By the time you wake up, it’ll be done," Ross replied smoothly, his eyes already scanning the cabinet for the final adjustments he would make.
He knew the extra time alone with Alexa would be more interesting than any tool could offer.
"Alright... just don’t overexert yourself. No rush, anyway," Russell said, giving Ross a subtle nod, a mix of relief and exhaustion on his face. He turned to Alexa.
"I’m heading to the guest room. Are you coming?"
"In a little bit, dear. I’ll just help Ross here—shine the flashlight in the corners so he can see the screws," Alexa replied calmly, though her heartbeat had picked up ever so slightly.
Her role seemed simple, but she knew Ross’s presence had a way of turning even mundane tasks into something far more charged than she anticipated.
"Okay, don’t stay up too late," Russell said with a small smile and a touch of fatigue, before finally leaving. The room was now theirs alone.
Carrie had gone to bed early as well, knowing this was her only chance to rest.
Nights under Ross’s attention had left her body sore yet insatiably craving, and now the house was quiet except for the faint sounds of Ross’s tools and Alexa’s controlled breathing.
Ross and Alexa moved in silent coordination, a rhythm almost instinctual.
Ross’s hands were precise, each screw tightened with care, each panel adjusted to perfection.
Alexa held the flashlight steadily, her eyes occasionally catching his in fleeting moments that made her pulse quicken.
She felt a warmth rise through her body every time his hand brushed hers or when his gaze lingered just a little too long.
Ross noticed every subtle movement of Alexa.
The way her hair fell across her face when she leaned close, the way her lips parted slightly when concentrating—every detail inflamed a restrained desire that he carefully held back.
He didn’t need to rush; the slow, deliberate pace allowed him to savor the tension, the anticipation.
For Alexa, the quiet intimacy of the task was intoxicating.
She felt herself leaning closer than necessary under the pretense of helping with the light, and she caught herself imagining what it would be like if Ross decided to take advantage of this moment.