"Agreement? What agreement? My mother never mentioned anything!"
"I'll lay it out for you. The agreement states that if you ever ask for a divorce or run away, your family must return the shares and the ten million baht in full. Only then will you be free. But word is, your mother has already used that money to buy land for a new house in Khon Kaen. Do you understand now how you should behave?"
Her knees gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor, sobbing over the truth she'd just uncovered. If this were a drama, she'd be winning awards for this scene.
"Hic..."
"I don't believe for a second that you knew nothing. Don't put on an act for me. Now, get up and help me push this bed away from the door."
She stayed put. No response—just sitting there, weeping in solitude. I pushed the bed aside myself, then scooped up her soap-scented body and carried her into my bedroom.
"Let me go, you arrogant Minister!" Her voice was thick and nasal—did she really think being this weak would make me yield?
"I will. Right here."
A sharp gasp escaped her. I-Tim's hand flew to her lower back as her long, pale legs lifted instinctively. The towel wrapped around her waist slipped, pooling at her thighs. If this were any other woman, I'd swear she was deliberately provoking me.
"From now on, you'll be sleeping in this room." "Why should I do whatever you want?!" "Because I don't want your moans disturbing my sons' sweet dreams." "Pervert! I won't give in to you a second time!"
She tried to scramble off the bed, but I was faster, straddling her and pinning her down. Before she could react, I bent down and claimed those stubborn lips.
I pressed my weight into her, and her face scrunched up from the heaviness. I pulled away and lay down beside her instead, one leg hooked over her slender frame to keep her from escaping.
"I'm not ready," she said, turning her face away. "You will be."
My hand slid beneath the fabric. She caught it, her expression shifting into a pleading look. "I know this is bound to happen... but could you please not leave any marks? The old ones haven't even faded yet. I'm embarrassed. Please." "Fine. No problem."
I was about to continue when she resisted again. "Last night, we didn't use protection. I might already be pregnant."
Her expression was so grave that I had to pull back and sit up. She sat up as well. "We're living together; there should be some kind of agreement, shouldn't there? You wouldn't want a child with me just so I can use it as an excuse to claim your sons' inheritance, right?"
"I do." "Do what?" "I want a child. And you're going to give me one. It's what my grandmother wants to see before she passes."
"You're the Minister of Education, and this is the best you can come up with? I don't think that's right."
I-Tim crossed her arms, pouting in clear displeasure. Why did I find her so adorable like that? Even now, with her eyebrows barely visible and her bare face looking oddly pale, I couldn't look away.
"I'll sleep with you every night until you're pregnant." "So once I am, you'll leave me alone?" "Leave you alone? Or would you prefer I keep other women?"
"I won't allow that. If you're sleeping with me, you're forbidden from touching anyone else. It disgusts me—men who stray. I believe in monogamy, and you'd better get that through your head, even if we ended up together by accident."
"Hmph."
I tugged at the corner of my mouth and reached out to lift her delicate chin. We locked eyes, sparks flying. I couldn't resist leaning in. My touch wasn't rough; I took it slow, letting her relax before turning possessive with a deep, consuming kiss. Her slender hand clenched the fabric of my shoulder. I knew she was starting to feel it too.