Chloe Grace leaned back on the sofa, allowing Blaine Jackson's long, warm fingers to knead gently at her calves, his rare tenderness seeping through every touch.
"Chloe, I really don't know what to say about you. You stood there watching for three whole hours, until your legs went numb, and you didn't even notice?" He shook his head, half-exasperated, half-amused. Was she just that absentminded, or did he have so much charm that he managed to completely steal her attention, even to the point of forgetting about her own body?
"I was just watching, and time passed without me realizing it. How was I supposed to know how long I stood there? You saw me standing there too—why didn't you remind me?" She turned the blame on him, her rosy lips pouting slightly, the soft, glossy sheen making them look utterly tempting.
"Oh? So now it's my fault?" He swallowed unconsciously, pushing down the sudden impulse that surged in him. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, though his expression remained calm.
"Yes! It's all your fault!" Chloe huffed and suddenly leaned closer, her slender arms looping around his neck. Her lips brushed against his ear as she whispered, "It's because there's something magical about you that pulls me in. I can't move at all when I'm near you."
"Oh really?" He arched a brow, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "So, what am I? Super glue or a magnet?" Unable to move even an inch, huh?
"You're so clueless," Chloe shot him a glare before clarifying, "What I mean is that I like you, I love you so much that I can't help but be drawn to you. Time flies when I'm around you." Did he even understand how much she adored him?
"Stop feeding me sweet talk," he muttered, though his heart undeniably swelled with satisfaction.
Seeing the slight curve at the corner of his lips, Chloe seized the opportunity. She crawled onto his lap, straddling him as if he were just another part of the sofa.
Blaine stiffened immediately, his body tensing as heat spread through his veins. "Chloe, what do you think you're doing?" The way she was sitting—so intimately close—was she deliberately testing his self-control?
"Nothing," she replied nonchalantly, snuggling against him. "I just want to talk to you, and this way I can be closer." Being in his arms like this, chatting casually, was one of her happiest moments. How could she possibly pass it up?
"You can sit next to me to talk. Why do you have to sit this close?" He gave her a pointed look. "Or are you trying to get something from me?" The way she wriggled slightly in his lap, unable to sit still, was a clear act of provocation.
"You don't like me touching you?" she suddenly asked, her voice turning sharp. Grabbing his chin with her fingers, she feigned displeasure. "If you go back on your words now, I'll leave. I'll really leave. And when that happens, even if you regret it, you won't be able to find me." After all, she knew Japan much better than he did—if she wanted to hide, he'd have no chance of finding her.
"Give me a break." He exhaled, eyes narrowing. "When did I ever say I didn't like it?" He flicked her forehead lightly. "Enough playing around. If your legs aren't sore anymore, go make dinner. I'm starving."
"I'll ask you one question first," she insisted, planting a quick kiss on his lips.
Blaine looked at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Fine, ask quickly, or get to the kitchen."
"How long are you planning to stay in Japan?" This question had been weighing on her for a long time. If she didn't get a clear answer, she wouldn't be able to relax.
"What's with the sudden curiosity?" Seeing that she refused to budge, he adjusted his posture, pulling her into his embrace. His arms wrapped around her back, holding her quietly in place.
"I just want to know. Even an estimate is fine," she pleaded, her expression so endearing that it was impossible to refuse.
"At first, I didn't like Japan and never stayed for more than three days at a time. So, I originally planned to go back home within a year to continue expanding Blaine Beauty." He paused before adding, "But given how things are progressing now, going back in a year seems unlikely. Realistically, I'll be here for at least two or three more years."
"Two or three years?" Chloe's eyes widened. "Why so long? Is it because Blaine Beauty is doing well here?"
Blaine nodded. "The business is thriving. Every day, new and old clients keep pouring in. I'm certain that once Blaine Beauty's collaboration with Morisaki's fashion show wraps up, it'll become a trendsetter across Japan." He had known from the start that with his company's strength, securing a place in the Japanese market wouldn't be difficult. As long as he was willing to put in the effort, success was inevitable.
"From the way you're talking, it doesn't sound like just two or three years. Are you planning to settle down in Japan?"
"What's with the panic? Are you saying you want to go back home?" he countered instead of answering directly.
"I… I want to visit my sister. It's been almost two years since I last saw her," she murmured, her voice soft as she rested her head against his chest.
"You miss Lily?" He sighed, tightening his arms around her. "Chloe, when your sister left for work back then, why didn't you blame me?" Instead, she had fallen in love with him.
"Huh? Blame you?" Chloe looked up at him, blinking in confusion. "It's not like you wanted anything to happen to her. Why would I blame you?"
"…I thought you'd at least resent me, rather than love me."
"Blaine, are you overthinking this?" Chloe suddenly realized something was off. "Wait, don't tell me you only agreed to be my boyfriend because you feel guilty?"
"What?" He raised an eyebrow, a little startled. "Why would you think that?"
"It's just a feeling."
"Well, your feeling is wrong." He flicked her forehead again, then reached for her calf. "Do your legs still hurt? Should I keep massaging them?"
"No need. Aren't you hungry? What do you want to eat? I'll make it for you." She pushed herself up to get off his lap—only to feel something unusual beneath her.
She froze for a second before snapping her gaze up to meet his. The flicker of desire in his eyes made her cheeks burn instantly, the flush spreading like wildfire.