Azrael grabbed her golden locks, surprising her. "Did I do good today?"
She was confused before realizing he was talking about his behavior. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought he would change his behavior because of her.
Craning her neck, she tried to act as nonchalant as she could. "It was better… but can be improved."
He couldn't help smiling. This feisty kitty couldn't hide her giddiness if she tried.
"Don't cry again."
"…Why?" She swallowed, feeling her heart beat out of rhythm.
He rubbed the lock between his fingers. "I get a headache just looking at it."
Just like that, she felt cold water poured on her feelings. She snatched her lock back. "I'll cry a river whenever it damn well pleases me! Eat your breakfast."
Chuckling, his eyes then fell on the pancakes she had put on the side. "You made this?"
He picked up the plate, but she immediately grabbed it.
"Yeah." She tried to pull the plate away, but he was holding it tight. "This is for me."
One dark brow lifted. "It's my breakfast."
"But you don't eat it."
He dug in with a fork, taking a bite. His expression shifted strangely as he chewed.
Valerie frowned, trying to pull the plate back but he put the plate on the other side.
She tried to reach for it. "Give it back if you don't like it!"
The movement brought her face to face with him. Her breath caught in the moment. He was a beautiful man. Dangerously beautiful.
It was the only thought that went thought her head as her heart almost leaped out of her chest.
His deep blue eyes and full lips were the peak of masculine beauty. If his face wasn't always set in a scowl, he could have girls falling for him left and right.
His face hovered only a breath away from hers. When she didn't pull away, he slowly leaned in, his lips caressing hers, sending an electric current through her body.
She fell back in shock.
He leaned back smoothly, his finger stroking his lower lip. "Delicious."
Her wide green eyes stared at his smirk in disbelief. "Wh-What?"
"The pancakes. What do you think?"
"You...!" She immediately scooted away to the other side of the sofa. "You have no shame!" she huffed turning all shades of red.
While he continued eating, holding back a smile. She put as many cushions as she could between them.
"Were you working last night?" she asked what she came to as soon as felt she was calm.
He fork halted mid air before he set it down. "Why are you asking?"
Valerie wet her lips, "I don't know how to bring it up but about the people who came to Uncle's house to kidnap us—"
"They told you about that?" Azrael felt his last bit of sanity snap. He had his back bloodied to ensure they wouldn't see anymore and that abhorrent told her like it was fresh gossip?
"Why wouldn't they?" Valerie frowned.
"Because it's water under the bridge. There was some miscommunication on our end and it's taken care of." He cut her off picking his fork like it was the end of the conversation.
Valerie titled her head in confusion, "Miscommunication? With who? Those people sound dangerous—"
"Valerie." He said her name so coldly, her heart skipped a beat. "It's taken care of means it's no longer an issue. Who they were is no longer a question when they will never trouble us again."
He was still smiling, but she could feel a cold glint in his eyes.
Valerie froze, then her frustration flared. "You are not telling me anything! Shouldn't I know who is targeting as it concerns our safety?"
Azrael hand came up, his fingers tenderly caressing her.
"Sweetheart," His jaw tightened, but his smile didn't dim. "Like I said, it's taken care of. Why worry yourself of things no longer an issue?"
He had soothed Alexander's ego so the old man wouldn't try anything at least till he got what he was promised. By then he will have another solution to tie his legs.
On the other hand, Valerie head was ringing with 'Sweetheart! He called her sweetheart', turning her several shades of red.
Barely holding her heart still, Valerie wet her lips, "Azrael, what I'm asking for is not unreasonable, is it?" She grabbed his hand, leaning closer. "I'm not asking out of curiosity. I feel uneasy. Tell me what's taken care of? If you won't tell me anything, how will I know what to be cautious about?"
Azrael in her clear round green eyes, red pouty lips jutted out and her little dainty hands cradling his rough hand in her lap. With her wild soft curls pushed back with a hairband matching her dress, she looked so innocent he had a wild urge to taint her.
From here, he could have her any way he liked. His eyes fell on the door she shut coming in.
His other hand reached for her nape when she tilted her head curiously blinking at it.
Azreal smiled.
His hand dropped, caressing her soft hair. He needed to be patient.
"You don't need to be cautious about anything. I'll take care of everything." He rose and moved toward the door.
"...Huh?" Valerie stood up frantic, "Azrael! Do you hear yourself? That's like sending me skating with a blindfold on a highway! How "
Valerie stepped after him, reaching out to stop him when her palm landed against his back. She jerked back shocked at the sticky wet feeling.
A sharp gasp left her when she saw blood on her hand.
Azrael turned sharply, his expression darkening with annoyance.
This little curious kitty...!
He grabbed her wrist with a set jaw. Pulling out tissues, he carefully wiped her palm clean. "Don't ask anything."
"…Are you okay?" Her trembling eyes lifted to his cold ones.
His hand stilled before he tossed the tissue aside and his hand slid upward, holding her a breath away from him.
Valerie heart beat like drums when his deep dark eyes peered into her.
He smirked, his eyes dropping to her cleavage.
"I'm not." He stepped closer, trying to bridge the negligible distance between them. "...Will you comfort me?"