Yu Zhen took a moment to examine her, his eyes lingered on her swollen lips.

Li Xueyue's heart skipped a beat when his lips curled into a cunning smirk, seemingly satisfied by what he saw. He was so d.a.m.n handsome that it hurt. Angular nose, sharp jawlines, and sun-kissed skin, he was a vision she would never forget—especially his eyes, dark and devious, constantly flas.h.i.+ng with mischief. Even through their clothes, she could feel the contours of his body and the ripple of his muscles.

As he swiped his thumb over her lips, the look in his eyes hardened. "You shouldn't have tempted me," he said. "I wouldn't have been so rough otherwise."

Li Xueyue watched as he swallowed, his prominent Adam's apple bobbed up and down. She didn't care about the warning bells going off in her head when she wrapped her fingers around his wrist and kissed his thumb. His pupils dilated, his chest rumbled when he let out a warning growl.

"Suns.h.i.+ne," he seethed through gritted teeth. "Don't."

Li Xueyue innocently blinked, tilting her head to the side. She slightly s.h.i.+fted her legs, biting her bottom lip in satisfaction when he let out a quiet groan.

"Xueyue," he groaned, this time, his voice dripping with l.u.s.t, "I won't hesitate."

"Hesitate to do what?"

"Take you right here and now."

Her eyes widened when his other hand reached for the belt holding her hanfu closed. In a single yank, her clothes loosened, her collars widening, revealing more to him than she antic.i.p.ated. She sucked in a quivering breath when his hand trailed upwards, his touch—teasing, and merciless as his fingers wandered closer to her breast. She thought he'd grab it, but he didn't.

Yu Zhen's smirk deepened at her reaction. "So innocent, so naive, and all mine…" he murmured. He could feel her icy skin turn warm under the tip of his fingers. She s.h.i.+vered against him, her body jolting when he trailed a lone finger from her collarbone to her chest.

"What shall I do with you?" he teased, dragging his finger down. "Perhaps I'll just do you."

Her cheeks instantly heated when she realized he was far, far more experienced than she ever would be.

Li Xueyue was losing the game she started.

She wanted to tempt him, to watch this composed man in front of her lose control. But she did not antic.i.p.ate the consequences of her teasing actions. From the gleam of l.u.s.t in his eyes to the curl of his lips when she gave in to him, he knew she was puddy in his hands.

"I—"

"Shhh…" He gently captured her lips again, this time, in a slow, sensual kiss that caught her by surprise. Her legs wobbled, but he easily supported her weight, steadying her in place. He licked her bruised lips, tugging her bottom lip, nibbling it. She writhed under his wandering hands, gasping in bursts of air. He was greedy and shameless, but so was she.

"Yu Zhen…" she pleaded, her own voice surprising her.

His eyes sharpened at her tone. His jaw ticked. Not now. Dear G.o.d, he was going crazy from this d.a.m.n tease.

Yu Zhen had only kissed her once, yet, she was already his drug, intoxicating him in ways that shouldn't be possible.

Yu Zhen cursed the G.o.ds above. If he was allowed into Heaven, he would beat all of them into a d.a.m.n pulp for putting him in this situation.

Her expression was unguarded and provocative, her eyes soft and pleading. He could take advantage of her again and she would not protest. She was dangerous—a weapon, even. One word from her and it would turn into his command. It was inevitable now—he was wrapped around her fingers.

If Li Xueyue continued to give him permission, he knew it would not be long before she was officially his.

When his fingers grazed her chest again, she knew he had lost control. She closed her eyes, not sure what to expect next.

Abruptly, his fingers began to arrange her clothes swiftly, covering her up completely. In fact, she was more modest-looking now than she had been before. He tightened her waist belt, forcing her clothes to stay in place.

"Be a good girl and turn around for me."

"W-what?" she asked, her cheeks heating when he threw her a teasing smile. Her stomach fluttered and her heart skipped a beat. His hands traveled from her elbows to her shoulder, thoroughly relis.h.i.+ng her with attention.

Despite his smile, his gaze was intense. He turned her around and pushed her forward until her chest was pressed against the wall.

Li Xueyue tensed as she waited. What would he do to her? He surprised her when his hands gently combed through her hair. She felt him pause in his action, knowing that he must have seen it—his hairpin. She had specially chosen this hairpin—it had become one of her favorites.

She fidgeted, desperate to turn around and see his reaction. What were the thoughts running through his mind? Was he happy? Was he proud? She did not know.

Yu Zhen, yet again, effortlessly fixed her hair. He adjusted the slanted hairpin and the strands of hair that stuck out. He even braided her hair and styled it differently, bringing it over her shoulders.

"Thank you," Li Xueyue said upon turning around. One of her hands aimlessly touched the braid, wondering where he learned it from. But she didn't want to dwell on this thought. It would only upset her more.

Yu Zhen responded by squeezing both of her cheeks. When she thought he was going to kiss her again, he didn't. Instead, he swooped in and kissed right behind her ear, smiling when she giggled in response.

"That tickles."

He tapped her b.u.t.ton nose and shook his head, unable to wipe the smile off of his face. "You're not wearing the accessories from the merchant stalls," he pointed out whilst reaching for her hand.

He quirked a brow when he felt something rough brush against his finger.

Li Xueyue watched as confusion clouded his eyes until he glanced down. In an instant, his puzzled expression morphed into satisfaction. His head shot back up and abruptly, he began to pepper her face with kisses. She let out a squeal of joy, laughing when he wrapped his arms around her and squished her against his warm embrace. He swayed their bodies, twirling them around.

Li Xueyue's face hurt from how much she was smiling. She momentarily looked up at him. Her heart swelled. He looked the happiest she had ever seen him. And that was saying something, considering he was usually all smiles and smirks around her.

"It's a promise ring," he suddenly said.

"Mmhm."

"I will give you the real deal in Hanjian."

Her head shot up so fast, he worried she would get whiplash from it.

"What?" she asked, her eyes wide from shock.

Yu Zhen laughed at her reaction. "Don't sound so surprised." He brushed a hand over the side of her face, gently squeezing it.

"You're mine, Li Xueyue."

"So possessive," she said and shook her head, biting her bottom lip. "But why am I not surprised?"

He simply smiled in response, lowering his head to peck her on the lips. "I'm also yours, Suns.h.i.+ne."

Li Xueyue liked the idea of that.

They both did.