TOOCM 94

Chapter 94

Kaiden had also been tormented these past few days, only able to gaze at Reina’s sleeping face.

During the day he was too busy, and at night she was so beautiful that his insides burned.

Once he had even entertained the absurd thought of waking her just to kiss her.

His wife looked far too innocent to fully unleash the bottomless emotions inside him.

Whether she knew this or not, Reina toyed with his hand and tempted him.

“Then let’s sleep together tonight.”

Please, stop saying “sleep together” like that…

Kaiden clutched his pounding heart and turned his gaze away.

He had no confidence he could face that expression and do nothing.

Barely holding onto reason, he forced out a single word.

“…No.”

“Why?”

“…”

“Look at me, Kaiden.”

Reina grabbed his cheeks and forcibly turned his face toward her.

His eyes, with nowhere left to escape, met hers.

Pale violet eyes that seemed to crave him.

Slightly parted lips.

And the shoulder line barely concealed by meaningless lace.

“That’s the problem.”

“Huh?”

“You keep provoking me.”

“What does that—”

The moment Reina opened her lips, he bowed his head and devoured them.

He had wanted to kiss her ever since they met at the opera house.

He thought confirming their feelings would be enough.

But once confirmed, his mind filled only with wicked thoughts.

And when she provoked him on top of that, he could no longer endure.

“!”

Startled by the sudden kiss, Reina staggered.

Kaiden caught her and pulled her tightly against him—afraid she might run after making him like this.

Veins stood out on the arms that held her fast.

A moment later, Reina’s lost arms wrapped firmly around him.

When her lips naturally parted next, Kaiden knew instantly.

Reina wanted him too.

Reading the signal, he no longer hesitated.

Fearing he might stop, Reina tightened her grip.

Her heart felt like it would burst.

Clumsily tilting her head and opening her mouth, he clung as if he had been waiting.

The kiss grew natural the moment they confirmed each other’s hearts.

Their throats kept drying. The thirst that nothing could quench could only be soothed by each other.

Reina leaned completely against him and continued the kiss.

It was exhausting to the point of breathlessness, yet joy welled up from the depths of her heart.

If this was love, it was far too intense.

Finally, when Reina ran out of breath, she tapped his back.

Fortunately, Kaiden obediently withdrew, allowing her to gulp in air.

“Huu.”

Reina, barely calming down, looked at him and startled.

His eyes were utterly bewitching.

He gazed at her as if half-entranced.

An obsessive gaze that couldn’t look away for even a second.

The way he wanted her bordered on instinct.

If she allowed it now, he wouldn’t stop.

Reina felt a strange sensation.

She hadn’t meant to stop him. She had only pushed him away to catch her breath—she wanted to stay close.

Yet now that she had pushed, his distance felt endlessly regrettable.

Regrettable…?

Reina touched her burning cheeks and averted her eyes, afraid he would read her thoughts.

At that moment, his large hand fixed her gaze back on him.

“Reina.”

When she unconsciously looked up, his eyes were hotter than ever.

He recited with an impatient face,

“My patience is short only when it comes to you.”

A voice close to resignation.

He gave one final warning.

“If you hold me again here, I won’t stop. Remember that, Reina.”

“…”

Reina was speechless. Kaiden sighed deeply and gave up.

Fine. This was for the best.

He needed to make her fully aware of his current state.

He thought if she knew, she would understand his heart.

But Reina’s reaction was different from what he expected.

Reina placed both hands on her knees, bent forward, and let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness.”

“What?”

“I’m so glad I’m not the only one who wants you.”

“…”

“Every morning I woke up and you weren’t there… I felt a little lonely.”

At Reina’s honest words, Kaiden’s lips trembled.

He hadn’t meant to make her lonely, so he took one step closer.

“I’m sorry. I just thought I was rushing too much. I wanted to match your pace. I didn’t know that would make you lonely.”

“Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you this whole time.”

Reina began, slowly approaching him.

The distance narrowed sharply. With one last step remaining, she said,

“Shall we stop being a contract couple now?”

“…”

“I… want to be your real wife, not a fake one.”

Her cautious hand, as if afraid of rejection, clasped his.

Then she brought his hand to her heart and whispered,

“It means I’m no different from you. Ever since that day, I kept thinking about kissing you.”

“…”

“I was so embarrassed of myself… but it’s normal. I’m relieved you felt the same.”

Reina smiled bashfully.

Her heartbeat had long surpassed normal, just like his.

As if her heart might break from the excitement.

“If you feel the same as me…”

“…”

“Stay with me tonight. Don’t endure alone.”

Her words carried many meanings.

A declaration that they would no longer ignore their true feelings under the excuse of a contract—and that she wanted to begin a real marital relationship.

“You really have no filter.”

“Kaiden?”

It felt strange. Like being tickled all over by feathers. He didn’t know what to do with himself.

He wanted to pull the fragile woman before him into his arms and never let go for the rest of his life.

Kaiden, at a loss, repeatedly kissed her fingertips.

A gesture to somehow relieve the boiling emotions through her very ends.

“It might not be as beautiful a night as you imagine.”

“You always treat me like an innocent child when you look at me.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Check for yourself whether I am or not.”

Reina bravely pressed herself fully against him.

When even the remaining distance collapsed, Kaiden clenched his jaw.

Now he could see nothing but Reina.

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you.”

Reina bit her lower lip in embarrassment.

“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 had most wanted to hear spilled from her lips.

“I love you, Kaiden.”

More than I ever thought.

The whispered afterword, meant only for him, drew a rough breath from Kaiden.

“Ha.”

“And you?”

“…”

“Do you love me too?”

He never knew a woman’s voice confirming love could be this sweet.

Kaiden swallowed the overwhelming emotion and whispered into her ear,

“Of course. I’m so happy right now I could die without regrets. It feels like I can’t breathe.”

His rough breath tickled her ear. She, too, felt like she might suffocate from joy.

Reina burrowed into his embrace and whined,

“That won’t do.”

“What?”

“I don’t think I can live without you anymore.”

“Look who’s talking…”

At Kaiden’s frown, Reina murmured,

“So let’s live together for a long, long time.”

Then she tightened her arms around him. It was a weak strength, but enough to convey her will.

This exceptionally strong woman showed weakness only to him.

And whenever she did, Kaiden never knew what to do with this lovable woman.

Swept away by waves of emotion, Kaiden swayed only in front of her.

“Ha, I’m really going insane.”

He exhaled roughly, lifted her in one swift motion, and carried her to the bed.

From this moment on, nothing remained to separate the two of them.