The Cherished Wife

Noelle could not help but giggle, finding it almost impossible to picture Charles doing something like this.

Charles gave her a sidelong glance, his large hand cradling her slender ankle. At that look, Noelle's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she kept her foot still.

Charles was focused, examining the nail polish bottle like it was the most important thing in the world. He gave it a careful tap, then lifted Noelle's foot again, gently squeezing her toenail. "Do I paint it like this?" Looking up, Charles caught Noelle's gaze-she was sitting there quietly, but her eyes were intently on him. He quirked an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Hmm?"

Embarrassed, Noelle came back to her senses and pointed to a toenail. "Maybe you can start with this one. Try not to go over the edges!" She eyed Charles. "You're really going to do this, huh?"

"I'm a man of my word." Charles settled onto the couch, resting Noelle's foot on his lap and holding her toes with great care. He was surprisingly focused as he dabbed the brush on Noelle's nail with precision.

steady grip, Noelle leaned her head against her other leg, watching him work with rapt

careful efforts, Charles still managed to get a bit of polish outside the

was flawless-even better than her own. His eyes, though, were something else. They were intense and concentrated, with long, slightly curled lashes that cast the

She leaned over the coffee table, taking a few tissues, Charles, mistaking her lean for restlessness, quickly steadied her by the waist. Catching Noelle's playful grip on the tissues, he shot her a look. "Try to sit still will you?" Noelle,

hand away with a sigh. "Easy

his face despite his mild protests, then sunk back into the couch. "Charles, aren't you bored of this? Maybe I

TV." Charles was meticulously painting Noelle's toenails, admiring her pale, delicate feet. His gaze grew intense. She probably did not realize it,

arched an eyebrow and leaned in closer. "What's up, Charles? You seem

glanced away