Three words... Eight letters... And a whole lot of feelings...
Xiao Zhiren's simple "I want you." carried a weight which couldn't be denied. These were one of the most romantic and sincerest words to a girl. A blunt confession that probably held a bigger promise than "I love you." Because his confession stated clearly how much she meant to him.
Any girl would have melted at this confession and probably would have said, "I'm already yours."or something along the line. At least, if the situation was reversed in their case and Ru was the one saying, "I want you." Xiao Zhiren wouldn't have even hesitated before saying, "I'm all yours, to begin with."
But sadly, the situation wasn't ideal in their case. Because the one doing the confession was Xiao Zhiren and the one being confessed to was our Ru; who loved running from her feelings. Especially, her feelings for Xiao Zhiren that had become complicated and far from her understanding.
In just a half a year of knowing him, he had managed to challenge her limits. She hated being touched carelessly but now, she found herself in a dilemma whenever his skin made contact with her own. She never liked the company of strangers and yet, in his presence, she found herself relaxing as if shedding away all her guards.
She wasn't sure what was changing between them. However, she was sure that something changed beyond repair. But with her indecisive nature, she wasn't very willing to accept those changes.
And she couldn't find words, she raised her fist to throw a punch at his face which he easily dodged. "I'm not up for a bargain." Ru snarled at him angrily as she kicked his knee without holding back.
Xiao Zhiren wasn't gonna lie. It hurt. It really did. But he wasn't gonna back off either. If he let her slip away now, he might really lose her for good.
Holding back her wrists, he pinned her back to the wall with her hands above her head. She was glowering while he was looking calm and patient.
"I'm not trying to buy you. I just want you to fulfill your promise." He stated holding her gaze.
Ru thought she saw hurt in his raven-black eyes. There was no unadulterated lust but there was pure and undiluted jealousy. Jealousy? But why? She couldn't figure that out while he wasn't very inclined on saying it out loud either. Nonetheless, the need and sincerity in his eyes were real. It was so real that it shook Ru's heart.
His lips grazed past her cheeks in a tantalizing way as he said in a deep voice, "You don't plan on going back on your words. Do you?"
Ru turned her head sideways keeping a distance between his lips and her face just for the sake of her sanity which was going beyond her control. She couldn't let that happen.
"I still stand by my words. I would rather die than go back on my words." Ru gritted out bitterly. "State your conditions in detail."
"I thought you were a smart person. Didn't you already understood my meaning?" Xiao Zhiren shot back with a hint of sarcasm which made Ru narrow her eyes at him dangerously.
But bloody hell! His citric scent mixed with a mild cedar made her overwhelmed mind to slowly calm down. It was a wonder that he again managed to wrap her senses with his presence.
"Clearly, I'm not as smart as I took myself to be." Ru scoffed looking at his intent eyes.
This probably had been the first time, instead of being a narcissist she chose to state clearly that she really didn't understand. And honestly, she really didn't.
"I have a banquet to attend this weekend. I want you to join me as my date."
He took another step close to her tall body pressed against the hard wall. It removed whatever space there was between them. Now, his body was really pressed against hers. He looked into his beautiful emerald green eyes and started, "I have two options for you." Ru frowned as he continued, "Be as my girlfriend." Then his lips turned into a sly smile as he added, "Or..." his lips came inches away from her ear as he whispered seductively, "Be my boyfriend."
As Ru gaped at him in disbelief, he had the audacity to wink back at her with amusement dancing in his dark and gorgeous orbs.
"You have lost your mind. I can't be your boyfriend. What will people say?" Ru snapped at him as if he had committed a felony.
"I don't give half a fuck about what people say or think. As long as the person standing beside me is you." His seemingly impulsive words tugged at her heart in a way that she didn't like. "Besides love, I also gave you another option. You can always choose to come as my girlfriend. I'm fine with either one."
"Codswallop! This is utter codswallop!" Ru's voice rose an octave as she glared at him.
However, both of them were still stuck in their earlier position with neither of them having any intention to move away. No matter what, Ru couldn't deny that being with him made her feel completely lost. But he also made her feel comfortable and protected. Also, how could she forget that he was the only one who was making her lose her sanity and yet helping her in keeping that sanity intact? It was weird but it was true.
Whether he was being undone because of her or not, it was unclear. But he certainly was undoing the locks on the door that led to her heart.
"Don't take too long. If you went out as my boyfriend, it's a given that people will recognize you. But if you went out as my girlfriend... You'll just become another mystery for people. Neither people will be able to identify you nor will you have to care about keeping a low-profile." Xiao Zhiren stated the pros and cons.
Ru bit her bottom lip not knowing what to say to that. His words and reasoning were getting to her head once again.
"I can find you the most gorgeous date." Ru took the last shot at this but he didn't look too pleased by her words.
Xiao Zhiren's face dipped down to her neck as he nuzzled patiently making a shiver run through her body at the contact. "For me..." he rubbed his nose along her neck to the spot below her ear as he added, "You'll always be..." he caught her earlobe between his soft lips before biting her softly and continued, "The most gorgeous woman in the whole universe."
Her breath was hitched unexpectedly. 'Gorgeous? And woman? When did these two words start describing her? Also, in the same sentence?' Ru was focused on frowning with her wild thoughts that's why she didn't realize the wild things that Xiao Zhiren was making her body feel.
Well, not at least until Xiao Zhiren sucked at the soft spot right below her ear.
"Pfft!" Ru laughed out making Xiao Zhiren look at her inquisitively. She pursed her lips and stayed quiet. Xiao Zhiren again nipped at the sake spot and Ru's body squirmed in his hold as she bit her lips to hold back her laugh. Now, Xiao Zhiren was really confused. But as if recalling something, his lips kissed the same spot and Ru finally lost it as he kept laughing like a fool.
It was a hearty laugh. One that Xiao Zhiren didn't know she was capable of. He was amused. Really amused.
"You're ticklish there. Right?" He asked the most obvious thing. She was supposed to be feeling anything but ticklish right at that spot. Really? Why was her body just like her weird mind?
"I also didn't know until now," Ru said between her laughs.
Xiao Zhiren bit her bottom lip making her gasp in surprise and said, "You're really one of a kind."
Ru caressed her bottom lip where his teeth grazed and replied, "I know. Isn't that why you're falling for me?" Shit! What nonsense are you spouting again? Pui! Pui! Think before talking or just keep your trap shut!
Xiao Zhiren gave her feathery kisses all over her face as he said, "I'm not falling for you. I've already fallen hard." Taking a pause, he asked, "So, you're my date. It's confirmed!"
"But I didn't confirm it yet." Ru retorted.
He pecked her lips and gave a cheeky smile, "You just did."
"When did I? I didn't even say a word."
"But your heart has already whispered to me softly."
"Huh? You're just making things up again."
"Why don't you ask your heart then?"
Ru placed her hand over her chest and scowled, "Traitor!"
Xiao Zhiren laughed at her antics and hugged her not caring about her protest which was non-existent, to begin with.