Chapter 185: A Good Day

*Runze’s POV*

Two days later.

The house wakes up earlier than usual, I know it before I even open my eyes.

I hear quiet footsteps outside the bedroom door. Somewhere far downstairs, cups clink against the tables, doors open and close with soft thuds, voices drift through the hallway in low whispers. All the staff are speaking much more quietly than normal.

It isn’t noisy, just very purposeful.

I stay under the blankets for another minute, staring at the ceiling to clear my head before I finally open my eyes.

A few feet away from the bed, Bael is already standing.

The wardrobe doors are wide open behind him. He is busy buttoning the cuff of a clean black shirt, his movements are slow.

Every single gesture looks practiced, almost mechanical. His eyes stay fixed on his wrist. He hasn’t looked toward the bed yet, so I can’t tell if he knows I am awake.

With Bael, I am never completely sure.

I move under the sheets, pushing myself up against the pillows. The blanket rustles, breaking the quiet of the room.

"...Morning."

His hands stop at his cuff. He turns toward me right away, and the serious look on his face disappears the second our eyes meet. He drops his arms and takes two long steps over to the bed. Leaning down over the mattress, places one hand on my jaw and presses a warm kiss against my lips.

It isn’t hurried or distracted, it is just warm and quiet in the room.

"Morning," he murmurs against my mouth.

His thumb rubs gently across my cheekbone before he straightens up again, his hand falling away. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed.

The cool air hits my bare ankles as I sit there for a second. Then I slide off the mattress, put on my slippers, and walk a few steps across the floor until I am standing right in front of him.

He is just reaching for his black silk tie on the dresser when I take it from his fingers instead. The material feels cool and smooth in my hand.

"...May I?"

His grey eyes look down at me for a second before he gives a small nod. He lifts his chin to give me room. As he does, his arms slide around my waist, his hands settle against the small of my back, holding me close against his chest.

Standing on the floor makes the height difference very clear. I have to look up to reach his collar. My fingers move easily, sliding the black silk under the fabric and folding it into a clean, neat knot. It takes only a few seconds before I pull it tight under his collar.

I smooth the front of his shirt down with both hands, flattening the black cloth against his chest.

"There."

"Perfect work," he says.

Only then do I realize he hasn’t looked down at the tie once. He has been looking at my face the entire time.

"...You didn’t even check."

"I don’t need to." His answer comes quietly. His chest rises with a slow breath against my palms. "If you tied it, it’s fine."

My cheeks turn completely hot, I try to look away to hide the blush.

"...You’re biased."

"I am."

He admits it so easily that I blink, totally caught off guard. A small smile touches the corner of his mouth, and his shoulders relax completely. Then he leans down, tilting his head. He presses a soft, warm kiss right against the skin under my ear, his breath hot against my neck.

I laugh softly, the feeling tickling my chest. Bael shifts slightly, his head tilting as he leans in to kiss me on the lips.

I quickly twist my face to the side, putting my hand against his chest to stop him.

"I haven’t brushed my teeth."

Bael doesn’t back down. His fingers slide up to hold my jaw, his thumb presses firmly but gently to turn my face right back to face him.

"It doesn’t matter," he says softly, looking straight at my mouth.

Then he kisses me anyway.

It isn’t a simple morning peck. He leans in fully, covering my mouth in a deep, passionate kiss that completely takes my breath away.

The hand at my jaw moves back, his fingers tangling into the hair at the back of my head to hold me steady. His other arm holds my waist tight against him.

He holds me so close that I can hear his breathing between every single heartbeat. I melt into him, my fingers gripping the black fabric of his shirt for balance while everything else disappears.

By the time he finally pulls away, I am completely out of breath. My chest rises and falls fast, and I blink up at him, totally dazed. My heart is beating wildly against my ribs, and my lips feel hot and swollen from his mouth.

Bael looks down at me, his breathing a little heavier than before. A faint amusement flickers across his eyes.

"Runze," he says quietly.

"...Mm?" I reply, my voice sounds shaky and uneven. I reach up, my fingers touching my lips.

"When I get back..." his thumb idly brushes the curve of my waist. "...I want to eat you."

I stare up at him, my brain completely stopping. "...Wh-what?"

He doesn’t answer right away, he lets go of me completely and takes a full step backward. The warmth leaves my side instantly.

Bael casually reaches down to smooth his shirt, checks his pants, and slides one hand into his pocket. Instead of explaining, his eyes look down at my stomach for a second before meeting my gaze again.

"Mm. I suppose I’ll have you for dinner."

My jaw practically drops.

What the hell? The doctor said one week—

Before I can even find my voice to argue or remind him of the doctor’s orders, Bael steps forward again, closing the gap between us. He places both hands flat on my shoulders, his expression turning strangely gentle as he looks down at me.

"Today is a good day, Runze." He says softly, his thumb giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

He drops his hands and walks past me toward the door. His long strides cross the room in a few seconds.

"Eat a little more." He reaches for the door handle.

Just before stepping into the hallway, he glances back over his shoulder.

"You’ll taste better."

Then he is gone.

The soft click of the door leaves the bedroom completely quiet.

I stand exactly where he left me in the middle of the room, staring blankly at the door, my mind spinning in total confusion.

A good day? Today is his uncle’s funeral!

And that’s not the only problem.

He’s going to eat me?!