"No, I am not sleeping with you here!" Christina's voice echoed through the bedroom, breaking the silence. Darren, still positioned by the door, strained to catch every word. His special abilities allowed him to eavesdrop effortlessly, even through the thick wooden barrier.
Reylan, standing close to the door, smiled at her. "Don't worry, darling," he murmured, his voice loud and confident. "The walls are soundproof, and my staff isn't shameless enough to spy on us here. They're merely guarding the door." His tone carried a gravity that made Darren's throat tighten. "Right, Darren?" And that question was enough for him to count the remaining hours of his life. His young master might just prey on him tonight!
Christina's mouth slightly widened at Reylan's words, and her eyes glanced at the closed door. How loyal was this old man to pry even into the bedroom? She wondered, looking between Reylan and the door. Rich people were indeed crazy!
Darren's footsteps receded as he distanced himself from the door. Reylan sighed, aware that this butler's loyalty was like a curse bound to him for eternity. To ensure their privacy, he strode to the TV unit and connected it to the speakers. The room filled with jazz music, drowning out any potential eavesdroppers. Satisfied, Reylan turned back to face Christina, frustration etched on his features. This little human needed to hold her tongue sometimes!
"Oh, I was just worried you'd be uncomfortable sharing the bed with me," Christina lied, answering the unspoken question in Reylan's eyes and gulped nervously.
"Who said we'll be sharing the bed?" Reylan replied curtly. He walked past her, heading toward the couch adorning the corner of the lavish room. And Christina couldn't help but smile at his unexpected kindness. Perhaps this enigmatic man wasn't as heartless as the world believed. There was a hidden gentleman beneath the ruthless exterior, she mused, touched by his gesture to give her the bed.
"You can use the couch!" But Reylan's words faded away her smile. He pointed at the couch, with a smile before walking to the small dais over which the bedding was arranged. As he slumped onto the bed, his slippers dropped to the ground, Christina continued staring at him in disbelief.
"What? You want to share the bed?" Reylan asked, looking at her. Supporting his hand on his fist, he continued with a smile, "Well, I don't mind at all. After all, you are not into men and nothing can happen between us."
There! There he went again. Christina gritted her teeth and shook her head. She was regretting spewing that lie! Very much!
"No, I will be comfortable on the couch sir. It is bigger than my bed haha." She replied, forcing out a laugh before walking to her suitcase.
Reylan chuckled as she dragged herself into the bathroom. He would make sure to torture her until she confessed the truth out of exasperation. It was really easy as getting on people's nerves was his innate talent.
---
Christina walked out of her bathroom, a refreshing smile spread across her lips. The bathtub had been so inviting that she couldn't resist lingering a little longer in the warm, bubbly water. It had relaxed her worn-out muscles, easing not only the physical tension but also the mental stress that had accumulated throughout the day.
Reylan, engrossed in his phone, glanced up as she entered the room. His eyes, usually so cold and distant, glinted slightly at the sight of her. She wore soft mint green shorts and a cozy, oversized lavender top adorned with a large, heart-shaped cartoon. Despite her casual attire, her slender neck was displayed, an irresistible invitation to his vampire instincts. The hunger inside him stirred, his eyes irresistibly drawn to her thigh, another tempting spot where he could easily lose himself.
Christina followed his gaze and frowned, a wave of discomfort washing over her. "What? Never seen thighs before?" she asked, her voice laced with annoyance.
Reylan's gaze snapped back to her face, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I've seen many," he replied, his voice low and husky. "But none so captivating." He quickly returned his attention to his phone, controlling his urge to feed on her.
A blush painted Christina's cheeks at his audacious remark, and she swiftly grabbed a pair of long pajamas from her suitcase, disappearing into the bathroom. Despite the sweltering heat, she felt the need to cover up. It was wiser to stay guarded, even if it wasn't a foolproof shield against his infamous playboy charm.
As she returned, Reylan was gone, prompting her to let out a heavy sigh. She swiftly grabbed a pillow from his bed and made herself comfortable on the couch. With a presentation to complete, she hoped that Reylan would stay away until she was fast asleep. It would be even better if he didn't return until the sun was up.
As she settled on the couch, another sigh escaped her lips, her mind filled with his thoughts. She couldn't help but think the way he had taken the bag from her shoulder, his kiss and the earlier swing time contradicted her opinion about him. Though he was a narcissistic, love-to-tease kind of prince, she didn't accept to see such a sweeter side of him.
"Oh, come on! He was just pretending to be nice! You can't marry an actor just because you liked his acting." Her mind chided her, trying to push away the tempting thoughts. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there was more to Reylan than met the eye, something that held her a step back from signing the deal.
"Focus, Christina!" She scolded herself and opened the presentation, hoping to finish it early and get some rest. After all, the day's events had exerted a heavy toll on both her body and soul.
---
Reylan returned after a grueling hour of self-discipline, satiating his hunger with whatever his butler had left in the refrigerator. Yet, the sight that greeted him only resurfaced his hunger.
Christina, the little human, was sprawled awkwardly on the couch, her head dropping and it seemed like she had slept while working. But when she nearly toppled over, her head lolling dangerously to the side, he couldn't resist. With a resigned sigh, he moved swiftly, cradling her head just in time to prevent it from hitting the armrest.
Shaking his head at her carelessness, he gently removed the laptop from her lap and placed it on the table. He then took the pillow from behind her back, placed it on the armrest, and carefully nestled her head over it.
Christina mumbled something in her sleep, rolling to her right, revealing the tantalizing expanse of her thigh. It was another luring sight for the beast within him. His eyes moved to her delicate neck again, the pulsating vein beneath the skin calling out to his primal instincts. A flush of desire washed over his face, his hunger manifesting in the form of thick, pulsating veins.
Before he could stop himself, he was hovering over her, his fangs bared, ready to pierce her tender skin. But as they grazed her skin, an unseen force repelled him again like that night, sending a jolt of electricity through his fangs. It only served to provoke his vampire nature further, and he tried again, this time with more force, but to no avail.
His failed attempts and the rough handling roused Christina from her slumber. Her eyes, blurry with sleep, widened in alarm at the sight of him looming over her. Biting her neck! She sat up, pushing him away.
"What the hell are you doing?" Christina demanded, her voice trembling with fear. She scrambled off the couch, putting as much distance between them as possible, leaving Reylan in a state of shock.
Yes, what the hell was he doing?