Valentina comfortably took a seat on the couch, covering her bare legs with a throw blanket. She randomly changed the channel to something random and looked back at Kaiser, watching as he moved around the bar, making a drink.

“Like what you see?” he called out with a soft smile.

“I do. So hurry up and come here. Let’s continue our talk.” She honestly replied as she prepared her heart. To be honest, she wasn’t immune to his advances. He was a very, very attractive man, and despite her hesitations, he had made his intentions clear. She had seen the way he looked, touched, and kissed her. She wasn’t a child and was very interested in him as well.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a taste before she left, right? In fact, it would be better to not discuss anything and move straight to the action.

As Kaiser slowly walked over and placed a drink in her hands, she lifted her legs, and he obligingly slid in beside her, letting her legs rest on his. As he spread the blanket over them, she scooted closer and took a sip.

“Let’s chat honestly. No lying.”

“I’m listening.” Kaiser took a sip as well and glanced at her.

“Question for a question?”

“Go for it, you start.”

“Are you romantically speaking to anyone apart from me?” she asked him seriously.

“You’re living in my home with my son. I’m working hard to solve your problems for you, and you’re wondering if I’m talking to anyone?” Kaiser gave her an incredulous look.

“Well, are you? After all, you are very popular. I got to see one of your fan girls live today. No deflecting. Does anyone think they’re in a relationship with you?”

“Of course not. Who do you take me for? A playboy?” seeing that he actually looked offended, she patted his shoulder consolingly.

“I’m just checking.”

“Then I’ll throw it back to you. Are you speaking to anyone romantically?”

“No.”

“Really? Are you interested in anyone else apart from me? Honestly. I know you’re quite close to others.” Although he tried to control it, a bit of jealousy entered his tone. For some reason, he couldn’t shake the way Rio looked at her from his mind and how close they were. His senses as a man were telling him that although Rio was acting friendly, he was actually quite interested in her.

Additionally, he had seen the way her male co-stars had looked at her at the opening ceremony for her new movie, including Jonathan. It wasn't unheard of for co-stars to fall in love with each other while on set.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“No.”

“Not even Rio?”

“Why are you bringing Rio up? What does he have to do with this?” Valentina asked him in confusion.

“I’m covering my bases. Do you like Rio?” Kaiser asked bluntly. He wasn’t one to mince words in the first place, and he wanted to know.

At his random question, Valentina laughed and took another sip, “No. I’m serious. As of now, it’s only you. After all, I’m in your house taking care of your son and trying to solve my own problems. Rio and I are just friends and I can assure you de DOES NOT see me that way.”

“Good. Do you like me? More than your teasing and flirting. I know you’re friendly and very personable, but do you think it could be more than that.”

At his serious tone, she honestly considered the question before replying.

“All things considered, I find myself quite liking you, Kaiser Grayson. Truly. You seem like a solid person and haven’t given me any red flags yet. Well, apart from trying to buy me when we first met. Growth.” She gave him a real smile, her eyes squinting in amusement as he focused solely on her, just the way she liked it “Do you like me? Looks aside.”

“Naturally. Isn’t it obvious? I’ve told you I like you and especially that finicky personality of yours. Am I not sincere enough? Are you not feeling my sincerity?”

“I feel it. But….” As she mischievously tapped her lips with her fingers, his eyes focused on her lips.

“But?”

“You’re quite passive about it. I thought for sure you would have pressed me down in your bed by now.”

“Heh. Passive huh? I’ve never been called passive in my life. Shall I press you down in my bed, Valentina? The way I want to?”

At his wicked smile and expression that looked like he would throw her down the moment she said yes, she shivered and looked away while she muttered, “Pass.” Causing him to burst out laughing.

“That’s why I haven’t done anything.”

“Hmmm?”

Kaiser poked her forehead gently.

“You tease me, make little comments, and then you pull away. Anytime things get a little heated, you pull back. I’m not one to force anyone. So, I’m taking it at your pace. Plus, your body is weak. If I ‘press you down the way I want to,’ as you so eloquently put it, who knows if you’ll start coughing up blood in bed. That would be traumatizing for everyone involved.”

“I know myself. My body is not that weak.”

“From what I’ve seen, it is. Properly drink your medicine every day, and we’ll revisit who will be pressing who down at a later time. Ideally, when you come back from filming.” Kaiser replied with a chuckle as he calculated the time and holidays in which she would be gone.

By then, she would have been taking the special drink for a couple of months to strengthen her body. He would have to trick her into getting another checkup, but if things lined up, he could have a surprise ready for the holidays and then go all out for Valentine’s Day.

“I’m not a child, so stop treating me like one.”

“Sure, sure.”

As she grumbled and glared at him, he laughed once more before patting her head.

Pissed, she quickly chugged her drink before taking away his drink and pushing him down until he lay on the couch. Quickly straddling his legs, she released her bun and let her hair cascade onto his chest as she stared down at him.

“I am not a child Kaiser.”

“Cute. I take it that you like to be on top?” Kaiser smirked as he grabbed her waist with his hands and adjusted her body comfortably on top of his stomach.

Seeing her boldly staring down at him with her long curls tickling his body, her collarbones exposed as she placed her hands on his chest, he took a deep breath of the sweet scent wrapping around him and tried to calm himself down. Otherwise, things would quickly get out of control.

Laughing at his reaction, Valentina scooted her body until she pressed against his lower body, grinding against him until he groaned as his eyes closed.

“Val-”

“Nope. I wasn’t done asking questions, and you had about five rounds. Your turn to answer my questions. Top or bottom?”

As he groaned again, his hips lifting up as she softly ground into him, she calmly snapped her fingers by his ears.

“Focus for me. Top or bottom.”

“You’re a wicked woman, you know that?” he cracked his eyes open to glance at her, his gaze focused on her plump lips.

“I’m quite aware, but I know you like it. You don’t want to answer? Shall I get up? You said it was cute, right? Guess I’m not doing enough.” she gave him a wicked smile before pretending to get up.

As expected, he immediately pulled her down with a frustrated look on his face.

“Top, of course. Although I quite like you taking charge, and the view isn’t too bad from here, so who knows? Maybe we can switch.”

“You like to be on top? Prove it,” Valentina ordered him in a challenging manner.

“What?” Kaiser arched a brow at her.

“Prove it. I’m here. Open. Willing. I promise I won’t run this time. Unless you’re scared and don’t want me?”

“Never that Valentina.” Laughing lightly, Kaiser gripped her tightly before flipping her until she lay on the couch looking up at him. As he settled between her legs, pulling her toward him until their bodies touched, she couldn’t help but laugh as he pressed against her.

“Valentina.”

“Hmmm?”

“A kiss?”

“On the top or bottom?”

As his eyes widened in shock, she burst out laughing before hooking her arms around his neck.

“I’m kidding. Come here.”