“Good to know that this face of mine is quite effective. Now, my reward?”

Staring at the smug smile, Valentina didn’t want to comply for some reason.

As she sulked, Kaiser laughed once more before standing up and giving her a wink.

“If you don’t want to, then that’s fine too. I’ll add it to your tab for later. I’ll grab Luca and head out so that you can get some rest.”

As he finished talking, he yawned widely before locking his hands and stretching. His hands rose upwards, and his long-sleeved shirt rode up, exposing his leanly muscled stomach.

Blushing while looking away, she could hear Kaiser chuckling lowly before speaking in a teasing tone.

“Don’t be shy and take a good look. You properly felt it up while sleeping while muttering ‘body pillow’ and clinging to me. Your sleeping habits are quite cute. Let me know if you want to recreate the experience since I quite enjoyed it the last time.”

As embarrassment flooded her body, she turned and saw an amused expression on Kaiser’s face. Seeing that he had gone back to teasing her, Valentina could feel her will to fight back ignited. She couldn’t be on the receiving end of his teasing constantly.

Narrowing her eyes at him and raising her chin in a challenging manner, she slowly licked her lips and couldn’t help but smile as his gaze locked onto her lips, and he immediately stopped laughing.

“You’ve been having a lot of fun teasing me all day, haven’t you? And now you’re bringing up my sleeping habits again? I was considering giving you a kiss since I was quite thankful for your help, but I guess not. Too bad. So sad.”

As she leaned back while flipping her hair and pretending to yawn, the baggy pajama top exposed her neck and collarbones, and Kaiser felt as if a spell had been placed on him. He simply couldn’t look away.

Seeing the sparkling green eyes look at him mischievously while her lush lips curved in a wicked smile, Kaiser felt as if he would agree to anything as long as she would allow him one kiss.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“Wait, let’s not be hasty. We can talk about this.” Kaiser immediately began persuading her shamelessly.

“Yawn, I’m so tired. Shouldn’t you start heading out? Goodnight, Kaiser. Don’t forget to take Luca. I’ll hold the door for you.” Valentina didn’t bother responding to his plea.

Slowly getting up, she intentionally brushed by him as she began heading to the door.

Before she could take a couple of steps, a large muscular arm immediately wrapped around her waist, and her body was pulled back and tightly held against his body while his other arm gently brushed her hair away as he buried his face into her neck.

“Wicked woman. You’re playing with me.” Kaiser murmured into her neck as he ran his lips softly over it, causing her to shiver slightly before covering her neck with her hand.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You started it first,” Valentina grumbled, even as he continued pressing kisses to her hand.

“I did. Why don’t we call a truce for the day?”

“Should we? What if I don’t want to? I told you I feel sleepy.” Valentina snickered before she pulled herself away and turned to look at him as she sat back down on the bed.

“Wicked woman. Is there any chance I can change your mind? I’m willing to do anything,” Kaiser murmured as his eyes followed her every move.

“Hmmmm…” Valentina tapped her chin as she pretended to think. Seeing him begin to sweat a little, she relented slightly, “Why don’t you go drop Luca in his room first?”

“Am I allowed to come back?”

“Only if you hurry.” She gave him a cocky smile as she began french braiding her hair.

“I’ll be back. You can’t change your mind.” Kaiser quickly assured her. Before she could even respond, the sleeping Luca was swaddled and carried out: pillow, blanket, and all.

In less than 30 seconds, Kaiser returned, and she wondered if he had just thrown Luca on the ground of his bedroom.

As he stood before her, his eyes taking her in, she tied off her braid and stared up at him with a relaxed smile.

“How do you want me?” Kaiser asked in a challenging manner as his eyes darkened from the intensity of his gaze.

“Lower. I don’t like having to crane my neck to look up at you.” Valentina beckoned him with one finger.

“Shall I kneel for you again?” Kaiser asked as he pressed close until he stood less than a foot before her.

“Not this time, come here.” she beckoned him forward with one finger.

“As my lady commands,” Kaiser replied before immediately moving forward until their legs touched. Bending down until their heads were at the same level, he gently cradled the back of her head as his other hand caressed her face, his thumb brushing over her lips.

In the mood to tease him, Valentina swept her tongue lightly over his finger, her eyes curving in amusement as Kaiser’s hands briefly tightened.

Looking into her eyes, he whispered, “Wicked woman. May I?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes closed as he held her face, and her long lashes fluttered as they gently brushed her face. Gently stroking her cheek, Kaiser lowered his face until their lips lightly brushed each other.

Feeling as if a jolt of electricity shot through his body, he pressed another gentle kiss on her soft lips.

As her eyes opened to look at him, he pulled back and gently entangled his fingers in her hair, undoing the braid piece by piece.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while, Valentina. That was just a tester; this one is for real,” he whispered as he captured her mouth once more. His hands gently cradled her head, but the intensity of his lips on hers had her breathless. It felt as if he wanted to devour every bit of her as his lips nibbled at her until she allowed him in.

As she began struggling to breathe, she found herself sliding back as Kaiser gently lowered her down onto her back, his lips not leaving hers as he held his body over hers.

They both sank into the bed, her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling herself as close to him as she could.

“Heavy,” Valentina murmured against his lips as she pushed his head away. Her body was still quite sore, and the pressure from him laying on her was too much.

“Am I? Sorry.” Quickly lifting himself up, Kaiser promptly sat up, placing his back against the headboard while pulling her up to him.

Without giving her a chance to escape, he quickly pressed a kiss to her forehead, cheeks, and finally, her lips, pressing little kisses until she couldn’t breathe.

As she pulled away panting, Kaiser chuckled before wrapping his arms around her neck as he looked at her.

“Don’t run away. Give me another, Valentina.”

“No.”

“Stingy.” Kaiser chuckled as he saw her blushing face.

“So what if I am?”

“I’m not complaining. Don’t worry; I’m generous enough for both of us. And I’m not afraid to beg.” As his fingers gently reached out to catch her chin and pulled her face closer to his, Valentina closed her eyes and accepted the blatant invitation.

His warm lips touched hers, and as his tongue swept across her lips in invitation, she opened her mouth and allowed their tongues to intertwine. As his fingers entwined with her hair and he pulled her close until she was sitting on his lap, she could feel her body heating up as his body hardened.

“Hurry up and accept my invitation, Valentina. I told you I want to take you out on a proper date,” he murmured as he held her tightly.

“Oh really? Why? You finally got your kiss.” Valentina grumbled.

“And I’m not complaining.” Kaiser smiled slyly as he gave her another kiss, “But, how can I ask you to be my girlfriend and eventually to marry me if we don’t start dating soon? Unless you want to go directly to the courthouse to seal the deal? I have a judge on speed dial, and he can be ready within the hour.”

“There you go with your nonsense again.”

“It’s not nonsense. What kind of ring would you like, Valentina? Diamonds? Emeralds like your eyes? And what cut do you think is prettiest? I think pear cut or even marquise would suit your fingers quite well. Or shall I buy a different style ring for each day of the week?”

“Kaiser?”

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t agree to date you.” or marry you, Valentina added silently.

“Yet. You didn’t agree yet.” He corrected.

“I didn’t agree at all. I promise you one date in the future. While I won’t deny that I’m attracted to you since that would be a lie.”

“Because I’m the most attractive man you’ve seen. Which is good because you’re also the most beautiful person I’ve seen as well. We make a great, attractive pair.”

“And the cockiest,” Valentina grumbled before smacking his chest. “Zip it when I’m talking.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Kaiser pretended to zip his mouth shut at her glare.