Kiss

I don’t know what task he’ll give me next. For the past hour, Samuel has been fixated on the laptop screen at his desk, while I’ve been ordered to stand still in the corner of the room.

Does this man have no sense of compassion? Just imagine it, my legs have gone numb from standing for more than an hour. I feel like my presence here is nothing more than a decoration, or a ghost haunting the room.

Because of the fatigue and drowsiness creeping in, I decided to slip out. I moved as quietly as possible, sneaking behind Samuel’s wheelchair like a thief afraid of being caught. I hoped the man who looked so busy wouldn’t notice my movement.

But that hope vanished instantly. Samuel’s deep baritone voice broke the silence, making me freeze in place.

“Where are you going, Emelia?”

I slowly turned around, looking at him with the most pitiful expression I could manage. “I’m tired, Samuel. I’m sleepy too. It’s already late, can I go to sleep?” I said, trying to draw sympathy from my notoriously cold husband.

“No. You have to stay here while I’m still working.”

I let out a long breath. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if I were told to sit or simply keep him company, but standing in the corner was truly unbearable.

“What’s wrong with you? Don’t you have any humanity? At least have a little pity on your wife. Let me sit or lie down if you really want me here,” I protested boldly.

I saw Samuel let out a quiet sigh. For a moment, he took his eyes off the laptop screen. “Then sit,” he said shortly.

I smiled in satisfaction. But instead of sitting on the soft sofa available, I walked closer. With a provocative move, I climbed up and sat on his desk, right in front of him. I wasn’t going to miss any chance to break down his defenses.

“What are you doing, Emelia?!” Samuel snapped, startled by my action.

“Well, you told me to sit. So I’m sitting, Samuel.”

“But not on my desk!” he retorted, barely holding back his irritation.

I nodded as if I understood, but the next second I did something even crazier. I shifted and sat right on his lap. Instantly, Samuel looked at me with a sharp gaze, but I could feel his body stiffen.

“Does it hurt? I’m not heavy, right?” I asked teasingly.

Samuel remained silent. His eyes showed anger, but I wasn’t intimidated. Instead, I deliberately wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing my face closer to his handsome one.

“Why are you silent? Are you going to push me away again? Or... are you actually enjoying this?” I challenged when he didn’t respond. “I’m already your wife. This is normal for a married couple, Samuel. Or do you want to move on to the next stage?”

“Leave, Emelia...” he hissed.

I didn’t budge. Instead of leaving, I leaned in even closer until our breaths mingled.

A soft peck.

I boldly kissed his cheek. I smiled faintly because he didn’t move at all. But when I tried to kiss his lips, he quickly turned his face away, rejecting me.

“Leave, Emelia! Before I really lose my patience and give you a much harsher punishment!” he threatened, his voice trembling with restrained emotion.

Seeing the spark of anger starting to burn in his eyes, I finally stood up. I could have grabbed his head and forced a kiss, but I didn’t want to rush things. I would tear down his defenses little by little, until he begged for me himself.

“Good night, my husband. Don’t stay up too late,” I said softly as I walked away from the study, a victorious smile still on my lips.

***

That morning, I didn’t receive any tasks from Samuel. Even as noon turned into evening, he was nowhere to be seen. I began to feel bored because there was nothing for me to do.

Help the other servants clean the house? Oh, of course not. I wouldn’t touch a broom or a rag unless Samuel himself ordered me to.

So since earlier, I could only bother the other servants, watch television, and occasionally take naps. Even though my life was now much more comfortable, I felt like something was missing. I missed Samuel’s cold face and sharp gaze.

Where was he? Was he locking himself in his room, in his study, or had he gone out? Not a single servant knew, or maybe they were deliberately keeping it from me.

Unable to stand it any longer, I left my room and decided to wander through the grand mansion. I approached one of the personal guards who was usually close to Samuel.

“Hey, you!” I called.

“Yes, Ma’am? Do you need something?” he asked politely.

“Where is my husband? Why hasn’t Samuel been seen since this morning?”

“Sir is in his room, Ma’am. He just returned after handling some business outside.”

Hearing that, I immediately ran to his room. I didn’t care if my presence would only bring new orders or sharp remarks. I just wanted to see him again, to tease him until his defenses crumbled.

When I arrived at Samuel’s bedroom door, I knocked softly. When there was no response, I dared to open it. The room felt quiet. I didn’t see Samuel on the bed or at the corner desk.

“Is he taking a bath?” I murmured.

My guess was right. Not long after, the bathroom door opened and Samuel came out in his automatic wheelchair. My breath caught instantly. He was shirtless, showing off his well-built muscles still damp with water. The urge to touch his firm skin surged inside me again.

“What are you doing, Emelia? I told you never to enter my room!” he snapped, his cold voice breaking my thoughts.

“I’m your wife,” I replied casually, without the slightest fear.

“You know yourself that you are…”

“What?” I cut him off before he could finish. “Just a contractual wife? Just your servant? Is that it?” I said in a mocking tone, as if I already knew his script by heart.

“You already know, right? Now get out and don’t ever come in again!”

“What if I don’t want to?” I challenged as I stepped closer.

“Don’t make me angry, Emelia!”

“And what will you do if you get angry?” I asked provocatively, now only a step away from him.

“You know what I’m like when I lose control.”

I didn’t answer. Instead of backing away, I slowly shook my head. “I don’t know, because I’ve never seen you truly angry at me,” I said boldly, right in front of his face.

Samuel fell silent. I smiled faintly, staring at his athletic body that I had only imagined all this time. My hands itched to touch him.

“Leave, or I’ll call the guards to…”

“What? Hand me over to them?” I cut him off again. This time, I immediately sat on his lap, making the wheelchair shift slightly. “Are you really going to give me to them? I’m your wife, Samuel. Why don’t you touch me instead? You know, I’ve never even been kissed. I want to know what it feels like. Will you teach me?” I teased in a low, husky voice.

I looked into Samuel’s eyes, still frozen. Boldly, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his face closer. I could feel his breath becoming uneven against my skin.

Without waiting for his consent, I pressed my lips against his.

Just a brief kiss...

But I held it there, trying to find an opening behind his rigid demeanor. I wanted to see his reaction, to feel the turmoil beneath his cold facade. Unfortunately, Samuel remained still, his gaze as cold as ice, as if I were nothing more than a passing breeze that had no effect on him at all.

***

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