"Mmm..." A soft sigh escaped Sophia's lips, a smile gracing the corners of her mouth.
Was this a kiss? There was a gentle touch on her cheek, like the brush of a feather, slowly moving down to her neck—a little ticklish—then her lips were being softly sucked.
Was this a dream? Who was kissing her in her dream? But no… this felt too real, not at all like a dream.
She opened her eyes and found herself lost in a pair of mesmerizing green eyes. She stared in a daze for a long moment.
Rocky sat up straight by the bed. "The sleeping beauty is finally awake! It truly takes a prince to wake her with a kiss."
Sophia bolted upright from the bed, glaring at him. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts. "What are you doing here?"
He smiled. "I came to wake you up."
"Is this how you always wake people up?" She slipped out of bed and headed toward the bathroom.
The sound of running water echoed from inside.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
After receiving permission, a maid gently pushed the door open and brought in two servings of nutritious and delicious breakfast.
"Who is it?" Sophia's question mixed with the sound of running water.
"Breakfast delivery, limited time only."
"Breakfast?" She stepped out of the bathroom, following the voice, and saw two breakfast trays placed on the table in the room. Her puzzled gaze shifted to Rocky. "Why suddenly eat in the room?"
"A change of pace is nice now and then!" He pulled her to the table and sat her down. "After breakfast, I have something to show you."
"What is it?" She was curious.
"You'll find out soon. Let's eat first." He kept it a little mystery.
What could it be, that he was making such a fuss? She grew even more eager to know.
The only way to satisfy her curiosity quickly was to finish breakfast sooner—then she could find out earlier.
Sophia picked up her knife and fork and began to eat.
Once they were done, the maids came to clear the dishes.
"Alright, can I see that thing now?"
She couldn't wait to get up.
Rocky rose to his full height as well. "Of course, but it's not on me. We'll have to go to another room."
So troublesome? "What exactly is it?" She looked up at his tall frame.
He took the opportunity to lean down and capture her lips, pouring all his passion into a fervent, unending kiss.
Sophia first lost herself in his passionate kiss, then realized they were standing right at the doorway. Blushing, she quickly pushed Rocky away. "There are other people around!" Her eyes darted, and sure enough, she spotted three young maids covering their mouths and giggling. Her face turned even redder.
Rocky shrugged helplessly. "Can't help it. I can't resist your temptation."
Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze and quickly changed the subject. "Weren't you going to show me something?"
"Right." He took her hand and led her toward a room at the other end, stopping in front of a door.
She looked up at him. "Aren't we going in?"
Rocky took two steps back and gently pushed her toward the door. "This door has to be opened by you."
Confusion flickered in her eyes.
He urged, "Go on, open it."
She reached out, gripped the doorknob, turned it slightly, and the door swung open. She was stunned by the sight before her.
A darkroom.
A fully equipped darkroom.
"Happy birthday!" Rocky smiled brightly.
Happy birthday? Sophia was taken aback. Today was her birthday. "How did you know it's my birthday?" She had even forgotten herself, yet he remembered. She felt a warmth in her heart because of his thoughtfulness.
"Just had to look it up." He stepped into the room, glanced around, and seemed quite pleased with the result. "Do you like it?"
He had specially designed and renovated it for her.
"You didn't have to—" Sophia's mouth was covered.
"Just tell me if you like it or not." He pulled her into his arms again, holding her tightly without a sliver of space between them.
"I love it. Thank you."
A flicker of joy passed through his eyes. "A kiss." He was adept at making timely requests.
Sophia hooked her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, tilted her face slightly, and pressed her lips to his.
He leisurely deepened their kiss.
She was too weak to struggle, clinging tightly to him.
"Ahem..." An intentional, light cough suddenly sounded, trying to get the attention of the passionately kissing pair.
Rocky paid no mind, still immersed in Sophia's enticing lips, freely savoring her sweetness.
Sophia didn't hear it at all.
"Ahem, ahem..." The coughing gradually grew louder, as if determined to succeed.
Rocky still had no intention of responding.
This time, however, the cough pierced through the layers of haze and reached Sophia's brain.
Someone's here!
She opened her eyes and, from the corner of her eye, caught sight of a handsome face full of mischief. Her cheeks instantly burned as if on fire, the temperature nearing boiling point.
Flustered and embarrassed, she pushed Rocky away, not daring to look at Kent.
Rocky glared irritably at the nuisance who had ruined his moment. "If you have something to say, say it quickly. If not, get lost."
"I have something to tell Sophia," Kent said, his smile a little odd, a mischievous glint in his green eyes.
Hearing her name, Sophia finally turned to Kent. "What is it?"
Kent mysteriously pulled her aside, though he deliberately spoke loud enough for Rocky to hear. "Let me tell you a secret—Rocky's been abstaining for years. You better be careful, or you might end up utterly worn out."
Sophia blushed all the way to the roots of her hair.
Rocky swiftly pulled Sophia back into his arms, a dangerous glint in his green eyes. "Are you so bored you have nothing better to do?"
Kent wore an innocent expression. "I came up specifically to see the darkroom you designed and renovated for the woman you love." He stepped past them into the darkroom, looking around for a moment. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's filled with your love everywhere! How enviable!"
"Finished with your nonsense? Then get out!" Narrowing his eyes, Rocky rudely issued the order to leave.
"Right, right. I'll disappear now. Wouldn't want to stick around and ruin your fun." Kent walked away with a smile, muttering to himself, "A sexually frustrated man is especially irritable and quick to anger. How true..."
Oh, she simply had no face left to show anyone!
"Sophia," Rocky called softly.
She still buried her face in his chest, refusing to look up. "What?" Her voice was muffled.
"Kent's gone downstairs. It's just the two of us now. No need to hide." He chuckled, his gaze filled with a tenderness that was utterly captivating.
Sophia cautiously raised her head, glanced around to confirm Kent had indeed gone downstairs, and then stepped out of Rocky's embrace.
Her face was still bright red, like a boiled shrimp. "Really! Don't you feel even a little embarrassed?"
He didn't mind at all. "Not at all. We're lovers. Kissing passionately is completely normal. Besides, this is my private space. The one who barged in rudely should be the one feeling embarrassed."
Though, that kid Kent had a ridiculously thick skin. Getting him to feel embarrassed? Maybe in another eight hundred years.
What he said did make some sense. Ah, whatever! She still insisted, "Next time, don't kiss me in front of everyone again."
That seemed a bit difficult.
When he wanted to kiss her, he did so without thinking—how could he care about anything else? Rocky hesitated for a moment.
"Otherwise, I'll ignore you," she added.
She didn't want to always have to face people with a red face.
"Uh... alright." After weighing it for a long time, his furrowed brows finally relaxed. "I'll try."
Try. Well, it wasn't perfect, but it was acceptable. Sophia breathed a slight sigh of relief.
A shrewd glint flashed in Rocky's green eyes. He kicked the door shut with his foot and reached out to her. "There's no one else here now."
There's no one else here now... The blush that had just faded rushed back to Sophia's pale cheeks. His meaning was all too clear—he wanted to devour her lips again!
She had no reason to refuse, nor did she want to.
She placed her hand in his waiting one and was immediately pulled into a familiar, warm embrace.
She blushed deeply, startled, and tried to grab his unruly hands, but found herself somewhat powerless.
"You're like a lothario," she said, her breathing becoming rapid. Her will, softened to numbness, couldn't resist his invasion.
Rocky laughed lowly, his hot tongue slipped her neck. "My desire is only for you."