Aymard furrowed his brows as he glanced at Aisha, who suddenly seemed like an overly excited child on a festive day. She was skill fully trying to justify her actions so that Aymard would understand why she had purchased nearly a dozen pairs of shoes. From square-toed ankle boots to handmade riding boots from Wilshire and Savannah.
"By genetics, women love shoes. That's why it's so hard to resist beautiful pairs, Ay darling," Aisha playfully argued, hoping for Aymard's understanding.
Aymard restrained himself from snorting, but his narrowed eyes betrayed his amusement. Aisha smiled like an innocent child caught in the act of stealing. Aymard cleared his throat,
"I've heard that strange theorem before. Even stranger when it's coming from you."
Aisha shrugged, raising one shoulder nonchalantly, seemingly unaffected by his remark, which slightly irritated Aymard,
"Just say you like them, no need for elaborate reasons. Besides, I'm not here to judge or anything."
Aisha beamed with a wide smile and widened eyes, "Really? Then why does your face look so perplexed?"
Aymard chuckled softly, "To be honest, I was surprised."
Aisha paused in her attempt to pull up the stunningly detailed embossed Isabel Marant high boots, which always captivated Aymard's senses. They were light, but when observed closely, they would quicken his heartbeat.
"What? Surprised?" Aisha exclaimed, feigning astonishment.
Aymard nodded.
"Why?"
Aymard leaned closer, sitting beside Aisha and locking his gaze with her dark brown eyes.
"Well, can't you see why? Even you, who's usually serious and rarely indulges in social activities, seems overwhelmed when you see shoes," Aymard replied with a smirk.
Aisha laughed, "Exactly! That's why I said it's a woman's genetic trait."
Aymard rolled his eyes, and Aisha tilted her head, gazing at him intently without blinking before asking,
"What's the matter?"
Aymard's laughter sounded crisp, "I've already said it. I'm not protesting or giving any justification just because you turned out to be the kind of woman who's obsessed with shoes."
Aisha flashed a teasing smile, intentionally displaying a playful expression as if an innocent young girl was feeling delighted. Unfortunately, even though she was no longer that naive girl, she still appeared adorable to Aymard. Too adorable, causing a gentle flutter in his chest and a sudden jolt in his mind, making him hold his breath. The faint flutters became a little more distinct now.
"Besides, I'm immune to it, Ai. All the women close to me have a thing for shoes. They like to ask for shoes too," Aymard added.
Aisha burst into laughter, "I won't ask. But if you want to give me shoes as a gift, of course, I won't reject it. I wear size 8." She joked, then lowered her voice into a soft whisper, adding a playful expression to the end of her sentence.
Aymard laughed heartily, "Ahh... Big Foot!"
Aisha pretended to pout, glancing at Aymard with a hint of annoyance before resuming to put on the unfinished high boot. Aymard held his breath as he unintentionally watched Aisha pull up her dress until her thighs to ensure the boot fit perfectly. She even straightened her long legs. Aymard cursed himself; sometimes, Aisha seemed to forget about everything and acted recklessly as if it was normal. Fortunately, it only happened when she was with him. Sometimes, Aymard forgot that he was actually younger. Who knew, when they were together, Aisha always made him feel much more mature than he usually was.
Now, Aisha stood up, moving her left foot, which was already clad in a boot that reached an inch above her knee. Her hands tugged at the pencil skirt she lifted, exposing the entirety of the boot. Isabel Marant for this winter season, with an ethnic-inspired embossed pattern intricately stitched. Alaric had called it thrilling legs, and Aymard couldn't deny that his brother was 100% right. Perhaps the difference was that while Alaric would adore the captivating legs adorned with those beautiful boots, Aymard's gaze was fixated on Aisha's bare right foot. The foot that tiptoed to match the left side supported by a 12 cm heel. Aisha was unaware that she had enchanted Aymard. Her hands still held onto her skirt, gathering it in the middle, her eyes focused on her left foot, moving it to assess its suitability, disregarding the exposed right foot up to mid-thigh.
"Is it a good match?"
Aymard didn't avert his eyes from Aisha's right foot, "Beautiful," he replied.
Aisha smiled happily, accepting it as a compliment for her impeccable choice of those non-mass-produced boots. She still looked down, paying attention to her foot wrapped in the boot while occasionally tucking her hair that kept falling over her face back behind her ears.
A woman who enjoyed her own beauty was always intriguing to Aymard. Throughout his life, Aymard knew very well that he could control himself. He wasn't swayed by those intentionally tempting him, but he found himself drawn to women who had no intention of seducing him, just like the current situation.
Aymard rose and followed Aisha, who tiptoed with small strides towards a large mirror in the middle of his relaxation room. She resembled a young deer playfully leaping around, having fun.
"Oh! I thought my fashion taste was awful! But this is extraordinary! I'm sure I'll be mistaken for a Madam, just like the flamboyant Asian businessman's wife!" she happily joked.
Aymard gazed at her intently, stopping a few steps away from Aisha, making her turn and their eyes met. The brief moment made Aisha blush as she lowered her head. Aymard chuckled softly, approached her, and stood directly behind her.
"Her heels are too high," Aymard whispered softly, asking Aisha to look at herself in the mirror.
Aisha fell silent. Even Aymard's shoulders were partially hidden by hers. She sighed and bit her lower lip.
"Don't pout, I don't mind. Just, please, not higher than this," Aymard said, giving her a light peck near her ear before moving to stand in front of her. His hand gently touched her exposed thigh, a fleeting caress.
"You're teasing me, aren't you?" Aymard playfully teased.
Aisha widened her eyes, suddenly realizing she had been too nonchalant. Her grip on her skirt slipped, covering the asset that had captivated Aymard.
"Oh, damn," Aymard feigned hurt.
Aisha squinted at him, and they exchanged knowing smiles until a few seconds later, a little giggle escaped, understood only by the two of them. Aymard wrapped his arm around Aisha's waist, pulling her close, and looked at her playfully as she placed both her hands on his chest.
"What's with you?"
Aymard narrowed his eyes, but he whispered teasingly into Aisha's ear, "Beautiful."
Aisha laughed again, carefree and cheerful with cheeks slightly blushing. Their interaction caught the attention of a few guards in the nearby corridor. They were unable to resist glancing over briefly. Danti, who happened to be in the corridor, couldn't believe her eyes as she witnessed her usually distant and cold superior, Aymard, refusing Aisha's request to be released. It left Danti baffled and slightly flustered, muttering annoyed curses.
Aymard simply kissed Aisha, and the kiss evolved into the affectionate embrace of a couple intoxicated with love. He cleared his throat as two women who always accompanied Aisha, looking immensely curious, leaned forward, trying to see what was happening, as it was rare for them to witness Aisha laughing so freely.
*****