CHAPTER 184: SLEEPLESS TEMPTATION

Stephaine turned slightly in the bed. She did not know why she was feeling so sleepless—she could not even sleep. She was now at the castle, as the war was over.

She told Ariana she would be able to move to the castle to stay, at least to give the king and queen their own space, and that was very thoughtful of her. Because the castle was very vast, and the duplex wasn’t that vast, so it was better for her to stay in the castle while the queen had her privacy.

She had not seen Zekel. Was it because she had been in the duplex, trying to organize her musical note file and all, so it would not necessarily mix up when it was being packed? She finally sat up and walked to the window.

Maybe some fresh air would help. Was she feeling this way because she was now in a new place? It seemed she had gotten very much used to the duplex house—maybe the change of environment was slowly affecting her.

Resting her body to the window, she raised her gaze to the night sky as she stared at the beautiful night colors. She exhaled and inhaled as the soft, windy air slapped her face. She felt so much better now.

She took a soft breath and spoke softly.

"Stephanie, you have to sleep. You would not want underbags, would you?" she scolded herself.

"Pretty much sure you do want those bags, sugar."

Stephanie’s heart leaped in her chest at his words very smooth knee weakening all at once , not expecting that at all. Her body shivered lightly as her heart began to drum. Maybe she was hearing things?

She wondered to herself as she turned, her breath hitched—there he stood. Zekel. His brown hair was slightly disheveled, and he was shirtless. The mark on his body and muscles showed that the war had been that intense, and those chocolate-brown eyes were now staring at her with dark intent.

"Where did you come from?" she spoke, turning to the window. She had not seen him when he entered.

Zekel’s lips curved ever so slightly, and that curve made her heart stutter. Why was she acting shy now? She was not the kind to. But right now—she had not even seen him for a long time.

His hands rested in his pant pockets, and even shirtless, he still acted like a gentleman. And she knew very well those were the wrong words for him, as he was not any gentleman in the slightest.

"I had thought these months that passed would give you a little brain but it seems I had been wrong. Where else would I come out from if not using the door?" he spoke with a mock raised brow.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed. She gave him a hard glare, which looked more like a seductive one. You could not blame her for asking such questions, as she had gotten used to this man passing from the window to the extent that now she thought it was normal.

She shifted her gaze softly.

"Is that all you have to tell me, sugar? ’Where did I come from, hmm?’" he hummed as he walked to her bed.

Stephanie’s heart sped as she stared at his broad, well-sculpted back. Why did he have to come shirtless? She could not trust her mind with certain things, like now, as she was already thinking so dirty. This was why she hated her mind—the way she thought surprised her to the core.

To her surprise, he laid on her bed, his two arms folded at the back of his head to rest.

Shivers ran down her spine. What was he doing? And then his wicked eyes landed on her and her breath caught. Why was she not saying anything? This was not her at all—it was like she was shy.

Impossible. She had never been shy around him. Why now? Was it because he had just come, and she didn’t want to welcome him with her usual boldness, just being nice because she was actually at a loss for words? His eyes remained on her, and it felt like his gaze was seeping into her innermost soul.

Her cheeks flushed. Why did it have to be today of all days she wore the shortest nightie, the kind that reached her waist? If she sat, her legs were right now for his view and his gaze was already dripping towards them.

Had she been expecting him? She hadn’t—he had just come back. She had thought he would take a rest.

But here he was, temptingly laying on her bed, that perfect body on full display for her eyes to see, and he wasn’t even wearing a shirt. Did he plan to come here and seduce her?

"I feel a hurt to my pride—not even a hug, a kiss, or..." he trailed off, his husky deep tone allowing her to fill in the missing words with whatever was in her head.

Stephanie’s lips parted. She wanted to scold him but realized he had not said anything at the end. And since she could not scold him, she had to scold herself for even thinking such. It seemed this man knew exactly what he had done.

That damn smirk...

But why was she still standing there, unmoving...?

"Come here," Zekel whispered deeply.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed, and before she knew it, as if spellbound, she began to move. He looked more handsome than ever, and heavens—she was really feeling temptation right now.

"Let’s sleep," he whispered.

But it didn’t sound like that; it was as if he was saying a different word, and she was hearing something else entirely.

It was her. Her own mind was the one betraying her, twisting his word into seductive temptation.

She nodded, and his eyes widened—he had not expected her to agree. He had already braced himself for her stubbornness, yet she had just agreed. He had originally planned to sleep with her literally, as he was having a hard time sleeping—maybe cuddle her.

But he knew that was an excuse just to see her as he had been to impatient toneait till tomorrow. Even if that was what he wanted to do, seeing her now standing there made some thoughts flash into his mind.

"Fuck, Zekel, get it back together," he whispered in his head.

Before he knew it, she pounced on him. Luckily, he caught her. A smile rested on her cheeks as she stared at him and spoke softly.

"Zekel, I had missed you... you came back. You made your promise."

She realized her silence earlier was because she was holding back her tears, knowing if she talked too much she might break down into tears.

She had really missed him so much, and now seeing him, she felt a bunch of emotions.

She laid atop him as she moved to adjust herself, unknown to her how her breast was pressed lightly against his chest.

"I am glad you are back," she finally spoke softly as his pupils dilated. She hugged him in the bed as she wrapped her legs in him, unknown to her that he was now seeing her cute round buttocks as they were now to his view.

Stephaine felt more peace as her head rested on his chest. Tomorrow they would discuss, but right now the sleep was so much threatening to pull as she had found peace—he was with her and she was in peace.

"Sugar..." Zekel finally whispered, his deep voice rough.

Stephanie hummed in response as her lazy eyes rested on his, and his jaw ticked. That eye had unknowingly seduced him.

"Allow me to touch you," he spoke as her eyes widened. Little did she see the slightly trembling hands so close to her, just waiting for consent.

"Yes, Zek," she spoke softly as his hands finally rested on her butt, caressing it ever so softly he moved his fingers to legs as he trailed them upwards expertly.

A soft moan left her lips.

"Ahhhm~"

Zekel’s eyes widened as their eyes locked, a slow sinful grin finally resting on his annoyingly handsome face.

"Sugar, you are already fucking wet for me," he spoke as his gaze shifted and rested on the warm liquid now sliding down ever so slowly from his abs.

Stephanie’s hands flew to her mouth in disbelief—that was her... her essence.