“Shut up!” Lin Tianxin was both angry and embarrassed. She raised her hand to hit him, but he grabbed her wrist and pinned it to the pillow. He leaned close, his nose almost brushing hers, a playful, intense fire glowing in his dark eyes.
“That girl Lu Yao should have grown up by now,” he said, licking the corner of his lips, his tone a mix of roguish charm and confidence. “Besides, it’s only natural for me to kiss my own wife.”
No sooner had he spoken than he tried to lean in again, but Lin Tianxin turned her head to avoid him. She glared at the wound on his shoulder, her voice urgent and scolding: “Treat the wound first! If you mess around before that, I won’t care what happens to you!”
He smiled and really, he looked stunning when he smiled. How had she not been enchanted by him in her past life? She had only worried about him, never really tried to understand him.
Seeing her wide-eyed glare, like a flustered little animal, Lu Ye felt his heart soften completely. He let out a low chuckle and, finally refraining from further teasing, sat up: “I’ll go get the first-aid kit.”
Lin Tianxin watched his broad shoulders and narrow waist as he turned, the army green shirt open to reveal scars of varying depths across his back, long strong legs full of vitality. She blushed and pulled the blanket over her eyes, unable to look at him any longer.
“Damn, beauty is dangerous,” she muttered to herself. “I can’t get distracted by looks.”
Lu Ye returned quickly with the first-aid kit, sitting down casually on the bed. He tore open his shirt, exposing the wound on his shoulder.
“Aren’t you supposed to help me apply medicine?”
Lin Tianxin quickly slipped out from under the blanket, moving over to get iodine and gauze from the kit, gently cleaning his wound.
Even when the iodine touched the broken skin, Lu Ye didn’t flinch; he simply lowered his gaze, watching her focused profile. His fingers lightly brushed her side, teasing her like a docile little cat.
“Be gentle,” he said with a low chuckle, deliberately teasing. “If you hurt me, you’ll pay for it tonight.”
Lin Tianxin’s hand froze. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushing: “Behave yourself!”
“Behave myself?” Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, holding her hand with the gauze and pressing it against his shoulder. “Go on. I’m not afraid of pain.”
Lin Tianxin, exasperated, lowered her head and concentrated on treating the wound. Her movements were gentle, and seeing her lowered lashes, Lu Ye’s restless energy gradually calmed, replaced with a deep sense of reassurance.
After finishing, Lin Tianxin threw the used swab into the trash. She was about to get up when Lu Ye pulled her into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin atop her head, his voice muffled: “You promised you’d finish dressing the wound, then continue kissing.”
“No.”
Lin Tianxin turned her head, but Lu Ye grabbed her chin, pressing her against his chest, tilting his head to capture her lips.
She had intended to push him away, but he seemed to read her mind, switching from dominance to gentleness, teasing lightly, drawing her in.
Lin Tianxin cursed silently he always knew how to handle her, how she responded to softness, not force.
How was he so skilled? Just a touch and she was already affected.
Gradually, Lin Tianxin reciprocated, tilting her neck to kiss his handsome lips, her hand caressing the sharp lines of his face.
She lost track of time, only realizing she had discovered a whole new world: kissing could be so wonderful.
She was startled by a knock at the door: “Knock knock knock. Lu Ye, open the door I’m here to make Tianxin a soothing egg to calm her nerves.”
Lin Tianxin snapped back to reality. She was lying on the bed, her clothes somehow pushed up around her chest, her stomach cold.
Her body froze, lips still caught by Lu Ye’s, her breathing erratic. She shoved at his chest, her eyes reddening, both anxious and embarrassed: “Get off! Mom’s outside!”
Lu Ye ignored her, his tongue still teasing her lips, voice muffled against her mouth: “Why rush? Finish kissing first.”
His hands gripped her waist, pressing her fully into the soft bedding. His heated presence and raw energy threatened to overwhelm her.
This kiss had shifted from tender to possessive, almost punishing. Lin Tianxin felt dizzy, her cheeks burning, limbs weak, only able to grasp his back, feeling the heat of his palms.
The knocking persisted, Lu Mother’s voice growing impatient: “Lu Ye! Don’t bully Tianxin! Open the door now!”
Lin Tianxin nearly cried, her voice muffled in protest: “Lu Ye… stop…”
Finally, Lu Ye pulled back slightly, still brushing her nose with his, dark eyes sparkling with triumph. His fingers traced her swollen lips: “Scared? Should’ve said so sooner.”
He didn’t really let go, biting her lip lightly, leaving a faint mark: “Marking you, so no one forgets you belong to me.”
“You !” Lin Tianxin was furious and embarrassed, reaching to hit him, but he grabbed her wrist, pinning it above her head.
At that moment, the knocking stopped, replaced by Lu Mother’s resigned voice: “I’ve put the food in the living room. Come out quickly before it gets cold.”
Footsteps faded, clearly a temporary surrender.
“See? Now Mom will misunderstand.”
Lin Tianxin tried to sit up, but Lu Ye caught her waist, pressing her back into his arms. He whispered in her ear, husky and mischievous: “Enough scolding? Then promise me tonight, we sleep in the bridal room.”
“Who wants to!” Lin Tianxin protested, slapping his back, “Let me go! Mom’s outside!”
“Nope,” Lu Ye pouted, tightening his hold, chin brushing her head. “Unless you agree. Otherwise, I’ll just lie here holding you all afternoon, while Mom waits outside.”
His grip was firm, his warmth making her heart race. She knew he would follow through; if it dragged on, she’d be the embarrassed one.
Biting her lip, cheeks blazing, she whispered, “…I agree.”
“What? Didn’t hear that,” Lu Ye teased, leaning close. “Say it again.”
“I said I agree to sleep in the new room tonight, we’ll continue later!” Lin Tianxin’s eyes were wide, her face red with urgency.
Satisfied, Lu Ye finally released her, stealing a quick kiss at the corner of her lips: “That’s my good girl.”
Lin Tianxin quickly fixed her clothes and hair, taking a deep breath before following him out. In the living room, she met Lu Mother’s scrutinizing gaze, lingering on her swollen lips.
“Lu Ye! Look at what you’ve done!” Lu Mother set down her soup, scolding. “Tianxin’s lips are swollen can’t you be a bit gentler?”
Lin Tianxin’s face burned, instinctively hiding behind Lu Mother, only to be pulled back into Lu Ye’s embrace.
He grinned at Lu Mother, smooth and teasing: “Mom, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not me it’s Tianxin. She bought new lipstick, had an allergic reaction, and complained to me just now.”
“Allergic?” Lu Mother looked uncertain, glancing at Lin Tianxin. “Really?”
Blocked by Lu Ye’s words, Lin Tianxin could only nod, her voice tiny: “Uh… yes, a little allergic.”
Seizing the moment, Lu Ye added: “Exactly. I told her not to use it, but she was reluctant to throw it away. Look how swollen felt so sorry for her.”
He deliberately touched her lips gently, eyes full of affection.
Lin Tianxin was annoyed by his act, but could only sneakily pinch his side, too timid to expose him.
Anyone could see Lu Ye’s lie was ridiculously fake.