Cree whispered into Qiao Ruo's ears, just as they were getting into a warm bath together, "I just want to be yours."
She hesitated and asked him, "Then, what about Mei? And what about the publisher?"
"Xiaoruo, I allow you to take the relationship by the reins and lead me," he said frankly to her. "As long as you are willing to give me a chance, we can work this out together."
Cree carefully laid her back against the wall of the gigantic tub and grabbed the tiny bottle of lavender oil placed beside the tub. He added a few drops of lavender oil to the bathwater. The lavender would work as an anxiety-reliever to bring about relaxation and calmness to her apprehension.
"I don't want to control you, Cree," she finally said. "I do want us to be together, but I'm not sure. I have insecurities. My parents died when I was just a baby, and my aunt has never cared for me and just used me as a tool all my life. She wanted me to marry a rich man. But I swear I was never out for your money!"
He inched closer to her. "You know that I'll punish you if you do." He tickled her under her chin, mercilessly. She stood her ground. "I didn't do anything wrong! I am true to you, and has already been."
Cree gazed into her eyes, absorbing the pureness and innocence of the emotions within her. He queried her carefully, "What about Lu Hanyang? Did you meet him last night?"
"I just remember a familiar voice greeted me at the bar, and then I collapsed."
"He sent you home last night."
She looked at him sheepishly. "I promise you that I won't do that again."
"Prove it," he teased.
She wound her arms around him and pulled him close to her, kissing him sweetly. He bit her cherry lips gently, causing her to flinch slightly.
"Cree!"
He lifted her into his arms, kissing her again and again. "I'm not going to let you go."
"Cree, do you think we can make it as a couple? We have completely different backgrounds."
"I don't mind. Xiaoruo, we won't know how suitable we are until we try. I may be rich on the outside, but on the inside, I am just a commoner adopted by a rich couple. Do you think that I don't have insecurities, Xiaoruo? I'm willing to work hard for both of us."
She nodded. "I accept. But I need to tell you this, once you move into my heart, I will not let you move out. So if you cheat, it's the end of us. You will never see me again."
"I can give you my oath. Ever since I first saw you in the bar, you have always been special to me."
She blushed shyly and gazed into his eyes, absorbed by his charm. "You're such a smooth talker. I can't believe no women have fallen prey to your words."
"You have," he said, and their lips came together in a kiss again. Qiao Ruo couldn't stop, and she wanted him desperately. She knew desire was consuming her incredibly, but she was unable to abstain from the delight of the sin that was before her eyes.
"Cree, I know I have two more days, but...how do we work under the same office? Won't people talk about it?"
"It's Ye Qi, not Cree who has the authority," he told her. "As far as I am concerned, your co-workers do not know Ye Qi and Cree are not the same person. You can go on working as much as possible. But let us not think about work for the time being. I want to enjoy my first night being your man."
She covered her cheeks shyly, and then he continued, "Do you want to go for a date to celebrate?"
"Cree, I don't think I can walk after how we had hours of... exercise," she said. "But I'm only postponing our date for later. You still have to compensate me for my discomfort."
