Chapter 27 - Next level

"Why did you–do this?" Valeria inquired in her hiccups as she touched his face. "Why did you do this deliberately? You knew this was going to happen, right?" She tried to support him on the feet while rebuking. Meanwhile, Markos could see panic and worry in her eyes. Somehow it amused and amazed him that she was genuinely concerned. 

Markos staggered over his footsteps and glanced at her. He attempted not to put his weight on the fragile woman in front of him. Leaning against the vehicle, lifting his hand Markos gently caressed her cheek. "How would I not know when I planned this?" Looking at her with soft gestures. "And I would do it again if that helps to lay off those assholes." 

Valeria's eyes widened upon listening to his claims. "No one shall dare to lay a finger at you." Grabbing her hand, twisting the wrist behind her back. Markos pulled her closer, placing his chin in the crook of her neck. "No one is allowed to ridicule you." Whispering in her ear, Valeria was overwhelmed. "Not on my watch!" 

Tilting his head Markos gently pecked over her cheek. Valeria was brought to her senses when he breathed warmly in the crook. "I–I think we should head home." Valeria pushed him by shoulders and tried to avoid Markos' heated stare. "Let's–Let's leave." She supported him in the car while Markos chuckled softly, shaking his head.

They were already late and Miss Agnes had slept. During the whole drive Markos and Valeria didn't talk. He took a nap and upon reaching, Valeria supported him inside his room. "Be careful. Don't trip. Is your vision alright now?" Knowing he was hit in the head, she was worried with the way he staggered. Opening the door Valeria searched for the lights when Markos stepped forward further inside. 

As soon as the lights were turned on Valeria found herself in the midst of a decorated room. "What is this? What are you–" She saw Markos standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed. Valeria was stunned at the sudden switch of the aura he had. Markos smiled and glanced at her with a soft expression. 

Looking around the room Valeria watched him coming forward. "This is–a little apology from my side." Grabbing her hands, he kissed her plan while staring at Valeria lovingly. "A few bruises cannot hurt me." Whispering to her in a shallow tone he pulled her closer. A gasp escaped from her quivering lips while Valeria couldn't lift her eyes off.

Markos leaned in tilting his head and licked her earlobe. Valeria's irregular breathing became audible in his ears. "But your tears–" Pecking her cheek and moving downwards to her neck, he spoke. "Every single one was piercing my heart, Val." Reaching the base of her neck, Markos kissed with pressure making her grab his shoulder. 

"Markos." Somehow she managed to speak in her pounding heartbeat. Meanwhile, Markos held her face and placed a finger over her lips. Staring deeply into Valeria's eyes they both stood there among the neon blinking lights. The moonlight reflected the pool's blue water which illuminated the room even more due to the adjacent angle. 

"Don't say anything today, Val." Markos slipped his hand behind her shoulder. Tracing his knuckles over the exposed back Valeria which made her shiver. "Listen to me today." Closing her eyes she was unable to compose her overwhelming emotions. Markos held her waist tightly close to him with the other hand's knuckles kept doing the same task.

"You know that I still love you just like the first day. I know that you still don't believe me and whatever I will say." Markos was unsure of what she would say but as soon as Valeria parted her lips he interrupted. "Don't worry I deserve this treatment because of how I treated you. The way the circumstances were, my fault is not clearing them up with you." 

Valeria lifted herself up on her toes and kissed Markos without waiting. His grip around her waist didn't loosen, Markos stood silently and savoured the moment. "Let's just forget the past, alright?" Valeria whispered while looking into his eyes and holding his face. "There's nothing which can separate us now. Let's– let's move on?" 

Markos nodded with her in unison, holding her chin with a chuckle. "You are still my sassy little vixen. Like old times." Pulling her face closer Markos thrust his lips onto hers. Valeria clenched at his shoulder, skidding down towards his bicep. "Now since you have accepted me truly, shall we–" Glancing at her with a naughty smirk, Markos released her body.

"Move our–" Stepping forward while licking his lower lip, Markos grazed over it. "Relationship–" Lunging towards her upon seeing Valeria skidding backwards. Markos twisted her hand behind the back and pulled her closer to tuck with his chest. Due to the sudden pull she couldn't react and simply stared at the man in front of him. 

"To the next level?" Markos pulled out a few hair locks out of her tail and coiled around his index finger. Lifting it towards his nose, sniffing her strawberry shampoo; Markos whispered to her and lifted his gaze to glance at Valeria. She smacked her lips in hesitation and awkwardness of the situation. 

"I–" She wriggled out of his embrace when Markos drew her in once again. Reaching for her strap tugging his two fingers inside it. Markos leaned in to trace his nose tip over the base of her neck and shoulder. Placing gentle small pecks, pulling down the strap he could hear her soft moans in his ears in between the gasps.