There was a hint of mirth painting Stephen''s brow. Soon, his maic voice seemed to drift above Tessa''s head as he teased, "Why did you stop kissing me?"


    "You didn''t want to be kissed," Tessa replied stonily.


    She had felt guilty for forcing him to hide in her bedroom earlier. So, she wanted to make it up to him by showering him with affection. However, he didn''t even respond after she had kissed him earlier.


    Since he wasn''t interested, why should she continue kissing him?


    Stephen arched an eyebrow at her. "Did I say I wasn''t interested?"


    Tessa''s cheeks puffed up in frustration as sheined, "Then, why didn''t you respond? You didn''t even kiss me back."


    Stephen chuckled softly and replied, "You rarely ever take the initiative, Tess. I was just enjoying the moment."


    Tessa scoffed at him before turning her head away in anger.


    Stephen grinned. "Are you mad at me?"


    Tessa continued to look away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of responding to him.


    She might as well have a neon sign above her head that read, "I''m mad at you."


    Stephen wasn''t upset at her reaction. Instead, he regarded her dotingly and began to coax her gently, "What should I do? I still haven''t had enough of you kissing me. Why don''t you kiss me again? I promise I''ll kiss you back this time."


    "No way," she huffed.


    Stephen chuckled again before reaching out to carry Tessa in his arms. Then, he gently ced her on the bed.


    The very next second, he had already knelt before her. It was a clear gesture of submission. Before she could respond, he leaned in and promptly kissed her.


    Tessa''s mind went nk.


    He was kissing her whilst on his knees.


    This was the first time he had ever done this.


    He had humbled himself, making it seem as though he was begging her to kiss him.


    How could anyone ever reject such a gesture? He was someone with great power and wealth, yet he had lowered himself just to soothe her ruffled feathers and kiss her.


    Tessa''s heart fluttered in her chest, barely able to reconcile the distinct contrast between his actions and status.


    Sure enough, she soon sumbed to his embrace.


    Where had he learned to do such a thing? How could he be so good at this?


    Stephen''s kiss was filled with hunger and a seemingly unending well of tenderness. Although he was physically submissive, there was no denying that he was definitely the one in control. Tessa could do nothing but follow his lead, allowing herself to be carried away by the web he had spun.


    The kisssted for a long, long time.


    By the time it finally ended, Tessa''s hair was a mess, and her lips were as red as a freshly bloomed rose.


    Stephen''s lips left hers, moving to kiss her elsewhere. Her beautiful eyes, flushed earlobes, fair neck-


    The temperature in the room seemed to heat with every reverent touch of his lips.


    As Stephen continued to kiss her, he gradually rose to his feet and gently pushed Tessa onto the bed.


    His warm lips trailed along her corbone, moving downward in soft, delicate kisses.


    The gentle puffs of air from his nose caressed every inch of her skin, making her tremble slightly.


    Her fair skin eventually turned rosy as the blood coursing through her veins surged with desire.


    At the height of her arousal, he murmured against her skin, "Can I?"


    It was a vague enough question, but Tessa immediately knew what he was referring to.


    She bit her lower lip gently, her breath hot and heavy as she whispered, "Yes."


    Stephen only continued his ministrations with her consent.


    They hadn''t fallen into bed together for over half a year, so they both longed for each other deeply.


    As a result, there was no stopping them now that the dam had broken. Tessa felt as though she had been swept into a burning sea of intoxication.


    Time passed in the blink of an eye as night fell upon them.


    The window was half-open, allowing the midsummer evening breeze to lift the sheer curtains. A scent of blooming flowers seemed to waft in the air.


    In the meantime, Tessa felt absolutely exhausted after diving into the sea of want


    with Stephen.


    Her hair stuck to her temples, and


    there


    cover a fine sheen of moisturee


    her skin, leaving her slick


    and sticky.


    Stephen gently brushed the strands of hair clinging to her forehead aside and pressed a kiss there.


    Then, he gave her some time to catch her breath before carrying her to the bathroom for a bath.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!