Chapter 94
Kaiden had been feeling frustrated these past few days, seeing only Reina’s sleeping face.
He was too busy during the day, and at night, she was so beautiful that it made his insides burn.
Once, he even entertained the absurd thought of shaking her awake while she slept just to kiss her.
His bottomless emotions were too much to fully unleash on his wife, who seemed so innocent.
Whether she knew it or not, Reina fiddled with her hands, tempting him.
“Then let’s sleep together tonight.”
Please, for the love of god, stop saying “sleep” like that…
Kaiden clutched his pounding heart and averted his gaze.
He had no confidence that he could face that expression and do nothing.
Barely holding onto his reason, he managed to utter a single word.
“…No.”
“Why not?”
“…”
“Look at me, Kaiden.”
Reina grabbed his cheek and forcefully turned his face toward her. His gaze, with nowhere left to escape, landed on Reina’s face.
Her soft blue eyes, seeming to crave him.
Her slightly parted lips.
And the shoulder line barely concealed by lace that was as good as nothing.
“That’s exactly the problem.”
“Huh?”
“You keep provoking me.”
“What do you mean…”
It was the moment Reina parted her lips.
He lowered his head and devoured her lips in one swift motion.
He’d wanted to kiss her ever since they ran into each other at the opera house.
He thought confirming her feelings would be enough.
But once he did, his mind filled with nothing but wicked thoughts.
And with Reina egging him on like this, he couldn’t hold back any longer.
“!”
Startled by the sudden kiss, Reina staggered.
Kaiden caught her and pulled her tightly against him.
Afraid she might try to run away after getting him into this state.
Veins bulged on his firmly gripping arms.
A moment later, Reina’s lost arms wrapped tightly around him.
As her lips naturally parted next, Kaiden sensed it instinctively.
Reina wanted him too.
Reading the signal, Kaiden hesitated no more.
Reina gripped him harder, fearing he might stop just like this.
Her heart felt like it would burst.
She awkwardly tilted her head and opened her mouth, and he latched on as if he’d been waiting.
The kiss grew more natural as they confirmed each other’s feelings.
Her throat kept feeling dry. This unquenchable thirst could only be satisfied by each other.
Reina continued the kiss, leaning fully against him.
It was overwhelming enough to leave her breathless, yet joy welled up from deep within her heart.
If this is what love is, it’s too stimulating.
Finally out of breath, Reina tapped his back lightly.
Fortunately, Kaiden pulled back obediently. Thanks to that, Reina gulped in air all at once.
“Hoo.”
Having barely calmed down, Reina looked at him and was startled.
His gaze was one that could only be described as captivating.
He stared at Reina with eyes half-entranced.
An obsessive gaze that wouldn’t let go for even a moment.
His appearance, as if he desired her, was almost primal.
It seemed like if she gave permission right now, he wouldn’t stop.
Reina felt a strange sensation.
She hadn’t meant for him to stop. She’d only pushed him away briefly because she was out of breath, she wanted to keep going.
But now that she’d pushed him and he was pulling away, she felt endlessly regretful.
‘Regretful? What on earth…’
Reina touched her flushed face and averted her eyes.
Afraid he might read her thoughts.
In that moment, his large hand fixed her gaze back on him.
“Reina.”
She lifted her eyes unconsciously, and the gaze she met was hotter than ever before.
With an impatient expression, he murmured.
“When it comes to you, my patience is short.”
His voice was almost resigned.
He gave one final warning.
“If you hold me back here again, I won’t stop. Remember that, Reina.”
“…”
Reina said nothing. Kaiden let out a deep sigh and gave up.
Fine. This might be for the best.
He needed to make Reina fully aware of his state right now.
He thought that if she knew, she’d understand his feelings.
But Reina’s reaction was different from what he expected.
Reina braced her hands on her knees, bent her upper body, and let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness.”
“What?”
“I’m so relieved that I’m not the only one who wants you.”
“…”
“Every time I opened my eyes, you weren’t there, and I felt a little lonely.”
At Reina’s honest words, Kaiden’s lips twitched.
He hadn’t meant to make her lonely, so he took a step closer.
“I’m sorry. I just felt like I was rushing things too much. I wanted to match your pace. I didn’t realize it would make you lonely.”
“Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you all along.”
Reina began, slowly approaching him.
The distance closed quickly. With one last step left, Reina said.
“Should we stop being a contract couple now?”
“…”
“I… I want to be your real wife, not a fake one.”
Her hand cautiously grasped his, as if worried about rejection.
Then, Reina brought his hand to her chest and whispered softly.
“It means I’m not that different from you. Ever since that day, I’ve been thinking about that kiss with you nonstop.”
“…”
“I was so embarrassed about feeling this way… but it turns out it’s normal. Knowing you felt the same makes me feel at ease.”
Reina smiled shyly.
Her heartbeat was racing far beyond normal, just like his.
It pounded so fiercely it felt like her heart might give out.
“If you’re the same as me…”
“…”
“Stay with me tonight. Don’t hold back alone.”
Her words carried multiple meanings.
It was a declaration that they wouldn’t ignore each other’s true feelings anymore under the guise of a contract marriage, and a wish to start a real marital relationship.
“You really have no words you can’t say.”
“Kaiden?”
It felt strange. Like feathers tormenting his entire body. He didn’t know what to do.
He wanted to pull this fragile woman in front of him into a tight embrace and never let her go.
Kaiden, looking utterly lost, repeatedly kissed Reina’s fingers.
It was a gesture to release his boiling emotions through her fingertips, at least.
“It might not be as beautiful a night as you imagine.”
“You always treat me like an innocent child.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Find out for yourself if I am or not.”
Reina mustered her courage and pressed close to him.
As the remaining distance crumbled completely, Kaiden gritted his teeth.
Now, all he could see was Reina.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to say to you.”
Reina bit her lower lip, looking embarrassed.
“You probably already know… but I still want to say it.”
She took a breath, as if it was hard to say all at once.
A moment later, the words he most wanted to hear flowed from her lips.
“I love you, Kaiden.”
More than I thought.
At the whispered afterthought, meant only for him, Kaiden let out a ragged breath.
“Ha.”
“And you?”
“…”
“Do you love me too?”
Who knew a woman’s voice seeking confirmation of love could be so sweet?
Kaiden swallowed his overwhelming emotions and whispered in Reina’s ear.
“Of course. I’m so happy right now, I could die without regrets. It feels like I can’t breathe.”
His ragged breath tickled her ear. She felt the same—suffocating from how much she liked him.
Reina burrowed deeper into his arms and whined.
“That’s a problem.”
“What?”
“I don’t think I can live without you now.”
“Who’s saying that…”
Kaiden frowned as he spoke, and Reina murmured.
“So let’s live together for a long, long time.”
She then tightened her arms around him. It was a weak grip, but enough to convey her determination.
This unusually strong woman showed her only weakness to him.
And every time she did, Kaiden didn’t know what to do with this adorable woman.
Swept away by waves of emotion, Kaiden only wavered in front of her.
“Ha, this is driving me crazy, really.”
He let out a ragged breath and scooped her up, heading to the bed.
From this moment on, nothing stood between the two of them.
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