As I followed Aeliana back to our room, I couldn't help but let my mind wander. Maybe all these confusing feelings were just pent-up tension.
A good night together might be all I needed to get back to my old self. Yeah, that's it. Just one night, and I'd be free of this strange hold she had on me.
When we entered the room, I decided to take my time in the bathroom. I took a long, hot shower, letting the steam and water wash away my frustration.
I scrubbed myself thoroughly, making sure to get rid of the cigarette smell that Aeliana had complained about. As I brushed my teeth, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair was damp, clinging to my face, and my eyes were sparkling with mischief.
After rinsing my mouth, I wrapped a towel around my waist, leaving my torso bare. I only wore a bra, making sure my abs were on full display. I knew I looked good, and if Aeliana was affected by it, then all the better. With a smirk, I stepped out of the bathroom, making a show of adjusting the towel as I walked.
Aeliana was sitting on the bed, trying her best to look calm, but I saw the way her eyes flicked over to me, lingering on my abs for just a moment too long. Perfect.
I sauntered over to my side of the bed, letting the towel drop just enough to show a bit more skin before I casually picked up my clothes. "You know," I said, my voice low and playful, "if you wanted to join me in the shower, you could've just asked."
Aeliana's eyes snapped to mine, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "I'm good, thanks," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.
I chuckled, pulling on a pair of shorts and a tank top. "Suit yourself. But you don't know what you're missing."
She rolled her eyes, clearly trying to maintain her composure. I climbed onto the bed, stretching out beside her with a smirk. "So, what do you want to do now? We've got the whole night ahead of us."
Aeliana gave me a wary look, clearly suspicious of my intentions. "I'm just going to sleep, Ciara. We both need rest."
I pouted, leaning in closer. "Oh come on, Aeliana. Don't be so boring. We could have a little fun."
She shifted uncomfortably, scooting away from me. "I'm serious, Ciara. I'm tired."
I grinned, undeterred. "Tired, huh? I could help with that. A good massage always helps me relax."
Aeliana gave me a stern look. "No, thank you. Just go to sleep."
I sighed dramatically, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling. "You're no fun," I said, my tone teasing.
She didn't respond, clearly trying to ignore me. But I wasn't done yet. I rolled onto my side, propping my head up with one hand and trailing my fingers lightly along her arm with the other. "You know," I murmured, my voice low and husky, "we're perfect matches for a reason. Why fight it?"
Aeliana's eyes flashed with annoyance, but there was something else there too—something that made my heart race. "Ciara, stop it," she said firmly.
I smirked, not backing down. "Why? Afraid you might actually enjoy it?"
Her cheeks flushed a deeper red, and she glared at me. "I'm serious, Ciara. Knock it off."
I leaned in closer, my breath brushing against her ear. "Make me."
That did it. With a frustrated huff, Aeliana jumped off the bed, grabbing her pillow and a blanket. "Fine. You want to be like this? Have the bed to yourself."
I watched in amusement as she stormed over to the couch, settling down with a huff. "Goodnight, Ciara," she said, her voice laced with irritation.
"Goodnight, Aeliana," I replied, my tone smug.
As I lay back on the bed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. Sure, I hadn't gotten her into bed with me, but I had definitely gotten under her skin. I smiled to myself, closing my eyes and letting sleep overtake me.
Despite the tension and frustration, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Maybe it was the thrill of the chase, or maybe it was just knowing that I had some kind of effect on Aeliana. Either way, I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.
I woke up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Stretching, I glanced over at the couch. Aeliana was still asleep, her face relaxed and peaceful. I felt a pang of something—guilt, maybe?—but I quickly pushed it away. She had asked for it, after all.
Sitting up, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My injuries still ached, but the pain was more manageable now. I stood up, wincing slightly as I walked over to the bathroom to freshen up.
As I brushed my teeth, I couldn't help but think about last night. I had pushed Aeliana pretty hard, but it was all in good fun. Still, a part of me wondered if I had gone too far. Shaking my head, I rinsed my mouth and splashed some water on my face. I couldn't afford to get soft now.
I glanced back at the couch, watching Aeliana stir slightly in her sleep. She looked so different when she wasn't glaring at me or telling me off. Almost... vulnerable. Smiling to myself, I decided to get up and head to the castle kitchen. Maybe a nice breakfast would set the mood for what I had in mind.
Walking through the halls, I considered my plan. If I could make Aeliana want to spend just one night with me, it would be perfect. It would prove to my parents that I was still the heartbreaker they thought I was. No need for change. No need for messy emotions.
As I entered the kitchen, a couple of the chefs looked up, surprised to see me there. They exchanged glances but wisely chose not to say anything. I ignored them and went straight to the pantry, grabbing the ingredients I needed. Eggs, bacon, fresh bread, and a selection of fruits.
I set to work, cracking the eggs into a bowl and whisking them with a dash of cream and a pinch of salt. I heated a pan on the stove, melting a knob of butter until it sizzled. The smell of cooking eggs filled the kitchen, and I could hear the soft whispers of the chefs behind me, probably wondering what had gotten into me.
Next, I moved on to the bacon, laying the strips out in another pan and cooking them until they were crispy and golden. As they sizzled, I sliced the bread and popped it into the toaster. I arranged an assortment of berries—strawberries, blueberries, raspberries—on a plate, making sure everything looked just right.
Feeling a touch inspired, I decided to add a bit of flair to the breakfast. I stepped out into the garden and carefully picked a few fresh roses. Their dewy petals glistened in the morning sunlight, and I smiled at the thought of presenting them to Aeliana.
Returning to the kitchen, I arranged the roses in a small vase and placed it on the tray with the rest of the breakfast. Everything looked perfect. The chefs had stopped what they were doing to watch me, their curiosity obvious. I paid them no mind, focused solely on my task.
As I finished up, I glanced back at the tray, satisfied with my work. I knew Aeliana would appreciate the effort, even if she wouldn't admit it. And once she saw what I had prepared for her, maybe she'd be more inclined to give in to my charms.
With a final, confident smile, I picked up the tray and headed back to our room. As I walked, I thought about the night ahead, sure that it would go exactly as I planned.
"I will have her in my bed," I whispered to myself, determination in every word.