Standing before the curtain, I took a moment to compose myself, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and smudging my lipstick halfway before stepping out.
Marco remained seated, fingers pressed against his forehead, elbows resting on his knees. As I emerged, he rose abruptly, his gaze fixating on my mouth.
I regarded him with faint amusement, noticing his trembling pupils and reddening eyes, as if he were being scolded.
I do enjoy teasing him.
However, he said nothing, merely removing his jacket and draping it over my shoulders before turning to leave.
Nonchalantly, I followed him outside, seizing his wrist as he hailed a cab. "Where to?"
He averted his gaze.
Even the most submissive pet can show defiance, but I had no intention of indulging him. Stepping in front of him, I grasped his collar, forcing him to lower his head. "You have thirty seconds. If you don't comply, I'll go find Reino."
With those words, I turned and began to walk away, only to be embraced from behind before I could take two steps.
"Don't leave."
His voice, though muffled and nasal, carried an unexpected allure.
"Dorothy... you are the bane of my existence."
"Behave, and I'll reward you with candy, little brother." I returned his embrace, our shadows intertwining amidst the passing cars, creating a complex dance of light and dark.
Though the world buzzed with noise, I could still discern the steady rhythm of my heartbeats, reassuringly normal.
Half-forcibly, I guided Marco back towards the car.
In the parking lot, a Ferrari zoomed past us, Jayden's cold eyes flashing through the half-open window as he and Marco locked gazes for a fleeting moment.
Jayden's gaze bore the hardness of a lion whose territory had been trespassed.
Feeling Marco's grip on my hand tighten, I moved forward slightly, allowing him to shield me, a silent yet firm declaration of his authority.
I shot a smile at Jayden's receding figure in the rearview mirror, then intertwined my fingers with Marco's.
As Marco took the wheel on our journey back, I jokingly asked if I could drive. He responded seriously, citing concerns for my safety.
Though his words were genuine, the rumble of the engine on the deserted road betrayed his true feelings.
Glancing at him, I noticed subtle changes in Marco over the past year. His jawline appeared sharper, his profile more defined when he clenched his teeth, and the sight of his tightly gripped steering wheel, veins bulging, appealed to me greatly.
I have always been drawn to assertive men.
Upon arriving at his apartment, I was surprised by Marco's lack of urgency. He patiently waited as I leisurely emerged from the shower, seemingly unaffected by the cold water judging by the clear glass door.
Lost in thought, I wandered into his study.
In the early stages of our relationship, Marco's tenderness often tempted me to challenge him.
He was overly cautious about my feelings, hesitating to even hold my hand for half a month. In the movie theater, his palm turned clammy when I reached for it, blaming the warmth on the theater's thermostat being set too high.
I enjoyed pushing him out of his comfort zone, whether it was stealing a kiss on a deserted street at dawn or sliding my hand beneath his shirt during a roadside stop until he blushed.
Marco had consistently taken the passive role.