Aselia’s POV

(This Chapter is for all the dear readers who send me power stones and golden tickets, thank you.)

Xiran held me close to him, for how long? I didn’t know. All I cared about was staying as close to him as possible, with his arms engulfing me in a soft embrace.

"My dear, if you are not feeling up to it then we don’t have to attend the after-party. I can take you back," he finally stated, seeing I was making no effort of leaving his lap.

"No, no, we owe this much to Rivan. We have to go," I replied without showing any endeavour of getting down and walking on my own. I cradled his neck. He smiled at me and asked:

"You want me to carry you, isn’t it."

"My feet hurt, heels are killing me. Plus you always complain about how I never let you carry me. Now is your chance," I shrugged my shoulders and he laughed, a hearty laugh that put a smile on my face. It warmed my heart to see him laughing, even though he had just revisited that horrible past of his.

He then called Rivan and informed him that we were heading to the beach before turning toward me and saying:

"Your makeup is a mess, I will fix it in the car. Let’s get this mask on," grabbing the mask he adjusted it on my face and carried me back to the car, with my legs dangling.

Carios opened the door for us and he settled me in the car seat before getting in too. He told Carios where our next destination was, who nodded in return and closed the door. Xiran turned his attention to me and inquired:

"Are you comfortable? Should we fix that makeup?

"How will you do it?" I asked glancing around to see if he kept a makeup kit somewhere.

"By wiping it all off through wet tissue," he said and opened the side compartment in the door to extract a box of wet tissues. I felt relieved, I didn’t want any more makeup today.

"Take off your mask," he ordered and removed a few wet tissues, and held them in his hand while leaning closer to me. I took off my mask and he gradually began to remove all the smudged makeup from my face. His face held an amused look.

The feel of wet tissue against my skin felt a bit uncomfortable but I closed my eyes and let him do it. His other hand went behind my neck to keep my head steady.

"How bad do I look?" I asked apprehensively.

"You look amazing as always, don’t worry," his tone was gentle and so was the touch against my skin. From my eyes to my cheeks and he finally moved to my lips, but he didn’t wipe them and I could no longer feel the wetness against my skin.

I flicked my eyes open and he was a breath away from my lips, hungrily watching them and I knew what he was going to use to remove the lipstick.

"Only my lips are allowed to touch yours, not some random tissue paper," his voice was like the single notes of a piano.

My heart thudded as his lips slammed against mine, so ferocious, so hungry, so tantalizing. His hand steadied me from behind and tugged me closer, his tongue fervently licked both my lips before plunging into my mouth, making me groan.

I kissed him back with the same fervent. Desires fluttered inside me and I wanted his hands on my blazing body, which was dying for his touch. But he only held my lips and neck, eating them as if they were sweet candy.

He worked his mouth like an artist, hungry to paint his longings onto mine. So soft yet so needy at the same time. My brain shut down and I moved my hands into his hair and fisted them without even realizing what I was doing.

The silk-like strands were so mellow in my hands and then I sensed what I had done and instantly removed them. This didn’t go unnoticed by him and he broke the kiss with hurtful eyes.

"Why won’t you touch them anymore? I told you to let go of that guilt," he spoke so softly and yet firmly, his eyes bore into mine.

"I try but..." my voice broke off. He gently placed me on the seat and lowered his head in my lap, his legs dangling down the seat as the car swiftly moved towards its destination.

"Comb my hair," he instructed and closed his eyes. They flowed in my lap over my thighs and I just sat there my hand not having the strength to touch them after everything.

His hand moved and grabbed mine and he placed it in his hair without opening his eyes or moving his lips. His face was expressionless and I couldn’t read him. But I did what he wanted and began to comb them with my fingers and saw his expressionless face mold into a relaxed one.

I finally mustered up the courage to lower my head and bury my nose in his lustrous locks, they smelled so good like pine trees and were soft as wool. My lips parted and I kissed them holding his head in my arms.

His greyish globes were quick to open and they found mine before murmuring: "Thank you," it was only a word but his smooth tone and affectionate gaze made it almost sensual.

The car came to a halt and I straightened up letting go of his head. Xiran sat up straight and placed the mask back on my face before saying:

"Stay close to me, we will try to leave as soon as possible. I know you are exhausted," I nodded at him as he knocked on the glass and Carios threw the door open for us to climb out.

A cold gust of wind hit me and Xiran cursed so loud that I stared at him with questioning eyes.

"Coat, Aselia. I knew we would be coming here and still forgot to tell Frila to give you a coat to wear. Damnit," he then removed his coat and made me wear it before we could move to the spot where the party was being held.