Gloves

Valencia eventually rested on the bed while Kael slept in his study room.

NEXT MORNING

Valencia woke up and jumped out of bed instantly. She ran to the balcony. I can’t believe I actually passed out in his bed!

“Where do you think you’re going?” Kael’s voice surprised her. She turned around, mortified. He smiled and walked to her. “I didn’t expect you to think of jumping out of the balcony.”

Valencia tightly grabbed the rails, huffing. She looked down the balcony from the fourth floor and took a deep breath. She leaped—

GRAB.

Kael grabbed her belly and pulled her back.

“Let go!” she screamed.

He muffled her mouth before anyone could turn their heads and look from the first floor. He dragged her inside and slammed the door shut. He placed her on the bed gently as he stood before her.

“Miss Elyane, you could just talk to me, and I can help you leave—”

“No! You’re just going to do something embarrassing because you enjoy teasing me!” she argued.

He chuckled and bent his knee before her. He slid his hands beside her thighs on the bed.

“I won’t do that… it’s quite unnecessary to keep teasing you if you become my guide,” he replied. He stared at her.

Valencia bit her lower lip and locked eyes with him.

“I need to get my stuff at my old place—”

“Sir William has already brought them shortly before I arrived to see you thinking about jumping out of the balcony.”

She flushed with embarrassment.

“But—”

“Say… I have a question for you, Miss Elyane…” he interrupted. Valencia froze as his gaze hollowed. “Why are the Imperial Knights searching around the slums? Is that why you decided to stay the night here when I was just teasing you?”

She gulped, raising one knee after the other. Her eyes averted away from his gaze. Her heart raced rapidly as if he would see through her if she spoke a lie.

“I… I don’t know.”

Kael observed her reaction then stared at her hands.

“Do you sleep with gloves on?” he asked.

“Huh?” She looked at her hands, nodding hesitantly. “Yes…”

“Isn’t that uncomfortable? Aren’t you uncomfortable?” he wondered.

She tightened her jaw and shook her head.

“Not really…” she replied. He suddenly grabbed her hand and held it. She glanced at him and then their hands entwined. “Young Duke?”

“Call me Lord Kael or Kael… you’ll be my guide from now on,” he demanded.

“But—”

“Although you’re keeping secrets from me, I understand that your mother’s name could be the key reason. So, I won’t pry… I just hope you’re not here and leave me in distress when I need you the most.”

Valencia’s heart raced rapidly as she stared at him. Not the arrogant nobleman. But the Kael who desperately needed his Guide. She clutched his hand tightly and nodded firmly.

“I won’t leave… I’m just afraid.”

He chuckled lightly and leaned his hand on the back of her hand.

“Why? Are you afraid I must seduce you?” he teased.

She frowned, pushing his head away. He laughed as he grabbed her wrists.

“Let go…” she growled.

He smiled and pulled her in, breathing on her neck.

“I might end up trying if you keep refusing me…”

She stood there, her eyes squinting. He pulled away to check her face. He blew a raspberry and burst into laughter. She angrily stomped on his foot, pushing him away.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You look like a squirrel with nuts in your mouth,” Kael laughed.

She rolled her eyes and walked to the bed, but Kael quickly scooped his arm around her waist and pulled her back.

“Stop messing with me!”

“I’m just intrigued by my Guide’s facial expressions. Am I not allowed to tease you for them?” he asked.

She held her breath as her cheeks reddened.

“I… add that to the terms of the proposal!”

“No can do… we gave each other a verbal consent for the terms… I’m not letting this one add,” he smirked. She punched his arm to release her, but he refused. He grabbed her chin and leaned closer as he raised her head. “Now I want to know how I can charm my guide…”

She glared at him, staring at his eyes as their lips were an inch away. She looked down—

BITE.

She bit his hand and pushed through, jumping onto his bed.