Shanley nced at the girl beside him, her back turned, sleeping soundly. Then he looked down at his own uncooperative body.


    "Heh." He closed his eyes, a helpless smile touching his lips. Fine. This girl really knew how to torture him.


    After a long moment, Shanley got up and went to the bathroom. He turned on the faucet and stood under the cold stream for a full thirty minutes. Just when he had finally managed to cool down, he returned to the bedroom, saw the girl, and was instantly reminded of her inexplicable kisses.


    Before long, the sound of the shower started up again.


    ...


    The next day, Juniper opened her eyes and found herself looking directly into Shanley''s.


    "You''re awake?" Shanley stroked her long hair, his deep eyes mesmerizing as he spoke in a low, husky voice. "Did you sleep well?"


    "It was alright," Juniper answered earnestly, blinking.


    "Good," Shanley pursed his lips, his expression tinged with a hint of grievance. "Is there anything you want to say to me?"


    "Not really," Juniper said as she sat up and stretched, havingpletely forgotten aboutst night''s ''assault.''


    Nothing? Shanley stared at the nonchnt girl, feeling even more dejected. She didn''t remember kissing him justst night? And she did it twice! Twice!


    When Shanley didn''t respond, Juniper finally looked up in confusion and saw his tightly pressed lips. In that instant, the memory of her ''crime'' flooded back into her mind.


    Ah. It seemed something did happen. She was actually just checking his health, albeit in the most direct way possible. She had no ulterior motives. But thinking about it now, it did seem a bit like a bandit preying on an innocent man. He looked so upset. Had she scared him?


    "Oh," Juniper blinked after a few seconds of staring, forcing the words out. "Believe it or not, I didn''t do it on purposest night."


    Although, his lips were rather nice to kiss.


    Not on purpose? That made Shanley feel even worse. Was kissing someone such a casual act?


    "What I mean is..." Seeing his expression darken further, Juniper licked her lips and tried another angle. "If youre really that angry, you can kiss me back."  fo


    Kiss her back? That was a very Juniper-like solution.


    "Juniper, you''re the only one who has ever kissed me," Shanley said, a faint smile ying on his lips, his voice a low, seductive whisper "If this times, with such an intimate act, I would now belong toyou."


    were aneret"


    "So..." Juniper''s eyes darted around as she came to a conclusion. "You want me to marry you?"


    Shanley blinked.


    "No, wait," Juniper, still groggy from sleep, corrected herself. "You want me to take responsibility for you?"


    Shanley said nothing, simply staring at her with deep, meaningful eyes. His intention was clear.


    "I get it." Juniper paused, then moved her lips. "Fine. I''ll take responsibility for you."


    "As long as you take responsibility."


    A brilliant smile lit up Shanley''s handsome face. He leaned in, his nose brushing


    against hers. "Get up. I''m taking you out today."


    She must be bored after two weeks of military training.


    "Okay." Juniper immediately scrambled out of bed and got ready.


    When she got downstairs, Shanley was already waiting by the door, holding her bag and jacket.


    "Dana, your sry is multiplied by ten this month," Shanley announced to the housekeeper.


    "What?" Dana was so shocked by


    the amount that the towel in her hand dropped to the floor. She stared at Shanley with wide, disbelieving eyes content