Her slender collarbone and flawless skin added to the allure.

Edwin gazed at her, his voice growing even hoarser than before.

"Yes."

Laura requested his assistance in fastening the necklace, though he found himself inexplicably irked. He reached for a pack of cigarettes on the bedside table, extracted one, and lit it. As he carefully secured the necklace around her neck, Laura expressed her discomfort, saying, "I'm worried your cigarette might burn me."

Edwin took a long drag, exhaling a plume of smoke.