Akihiko's blue eyes flickered with confusion as he studied Ayaka's flushed face. "What is it?" he asked, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity.
Ayaka swallowed hard, her pulse hammering in her ears. "W-what was that kiss for you?" she managed to ask, her breath hitching.
His gaze at her with a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Does it bother you that much, Ayaka?" He leaned in, the heat of his body seeping into her space, making her nerves spark.
"I-I just want to know, okay?!" she blurted out, her hands gripping the fabric of her shirt as if it could anchor her.
Akihiko didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached out, cupping her face with deliberate slowness, his fingers grazing her flushed skin.
His touch was warm and intoxicating. "You can push me away if you don't like it." he murmured, his lips hovering just a breath away.
Ayaka barely had time to react before his lips claimed hers.
It was different this time—deeper, more intense.
His mouth moved against hers with an unmistakable hunger, yet there was tenderness beneath it, a silent question lingering between them.
Ayaka felt like her heart might burst, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she pressed closer, kissing him back with equal fervor.
A quiet groan rumbled from Akihiko's throat as he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her effortlessly.
Her arms instinctively wound around his neck as he carried her across the room, each step purposeful.
The air between them burned with something electric, something inevitable.
When her back met the softness of the bed, Ayaka gazed up at him, breathless.
Akihiko hovered over her, his silver hair falling slightly into his eyes, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Are you sure?" His voice was lower now, rough with restraint.
His fingers brushed against her cheek, tracing her jaw with aching gentleness. "I won't hold back anymore."
Ayaka's heart pounded so violently she was sure he could hear it. "W-who said I was holding back…?" she whispered, her voice almost trembling.
A slow, soft smile curved his lips. He didn't need more words.
Instead, he leaned down, capturing her mouth again, this time with unrestrained passion.
The heat between them grew unbearable. Akihiko's fingers made quick work of the buttons on his shirt, shrugging it off to reveal his toned, sculpted body.
Ayaka's breath caught at the sight of him—he was all smooth, defined muscle, the sharp lines of his collarbone and abs accentuated in the dim lighting.
His hands moved to her clothing, his fingers brushing against her skin as he undressed her with an agonizing slowness.
Ayaka shivered under his touch, her cheeks burning as the last barrier between them fell away.
She instinctively tried to cover herself, but Akihiko caught her wrists, gently pulling them away. "Don't." he whispered, his voice laced with something deeper, something reverent.
"You're beautiful." His lips found hers again, then trailed down to her neck, pressing lingering, open-mouthed kisses that sent a shudder coursing through her.
His hands mapped her body, memorizing, savoring. Every brush of his fingertips left her breath hitching, her body arching instinctively into his touch.
"Relax." he murmured against her skin, his voice like silk. "I've got you."
Ayaka could only nod, her mind hazy with anticipation, with the overwhelming warmth of him.
His kisses trailed lower, slow and torturous, setting every nerve in her body alight.
He was gentle, taking his time, worshipping every inch of her as if she were something precious.
The way he touched her, kissed her, made her feel adored, cherished. Ayaka found herself melting under his every caress, her body responding to his with an unspoken longing.
Their breaths mingled, their hands roaming, exploring, memorizing.
Every whispered name, every stolen gasp, only pulled them deeper into each other.
When they finally became one, it was slow, deliberate—a perfect blend of tenderness and passion.
He held her close, their fingers intertwining as if he never wanted to let go. Ayaka clung to him, her heart racing, her body lost in the sensation of him, of this moment that felt both inevitable and earth-shattering.
Akihiko pressed his forehead against hers, his breath ragged but filled with something unspoken, something deep. "Ayaka..." he whispered, her name rolling off his tongue like a vow.
She buried her face against his shoulder, her arms wrapping around him tighter, as if trying to etch this moment into her soul.
Time blurred around them. They moved together, perfectly in sync, lost in a rhythm only they could understand.
There was no hesitation, no fear—just them, tangled in sheets, in emotions too deep to put into words.
When it was over, Akihiko didn't pull away. Instead, he gathered her into his arms, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple, as if grounding her, as if assuring her this wasn't just a fleeting moment.
Ayaka nestled against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
She felt safe, cherished, overwhelmed by the depth of what had just happened.
Akihiko stroked her hair, his touch as gentle as his voice. "I won't let this be just one night." he murmured, as if reading her thoughts.
Ayaka closed her eyes, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles.
For now, she didn't need words. She simply let herself bask in the warmth of him, in the lingering traces of his touch, in the quiet promise hanging between them.
------
The Morning After...
Soft rays of afternoon sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the bedroom.
Beneath the covers, Akihiko stirred, his body instinctively seeking the warmth beside him.
His blue eyes fluttered open, and the sight before him made his breath hitch—Ayaka, sleeping peacefully, her bare skin illuminated in the golden light, her breathing soft and steady.
For a moment, he simply watched her, drinking in every delicate feature, every rise and fall of her chest.
Then, unable to resist, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face before pulling her closer into his embrace.
He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, his lips barely ghosting over her skin. "I love you…" he whispered, his voice barely audible, as if saying it too loud would wake her from this dreamlike moment.
Despite his cold and composed nature—the infamous "Ice Prince"—Akihiko melted when it came to her.
Every wall he had built over the years crumbled in her presence, and he didn't mind in the slightest.
He held her a little tighter, his fingers tracing soothing circles against her back.
He had already made up his mind—on the day her book was published, he would formally ask her to be his girlfriend. No contracts, no obligations. Just them.
"Only one chapter left..."
His lips brushed against her hair as his eyes drifted shut once more. "I'll make you mine forever." he murmured, a quiet promise laced with unshakable devotion.
------
By the time Ayaka finally woke up, the sun had shifted high into the afternoon sky.
Realizing how late it was, she hurriedly got dressed and stepped out of the bedroom, her eyes searching for Akihiko.
She found him sitting in the living room, casually reading a book.
The sight of him—silver hair slightly messy, sleeves rolled up, fingers effortlessly flipping through the pages—made her heart stutter.
"You're awake." His smooth, deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Ayaka barely had time to react before Akihiko was in front of her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I prepared a bath for you." he said, his tone effortlessly tender. "And I already cooked."
Ayaka's eyes widened, her cheeks tinting pink. "T-thank you… but you didn't have to do that…" she stammered.
Akihiko leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "You should get used to it. I'll be doing these kinds of things most of the time."
A shiver ran down her spine at the sheer intimacy of his words, his breath hot against her skin.
Her fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt, gripping it tightly to steady herself. He made it so hard not to fall even deeper for him.
She wanted to confess. Right then and there.
But she held back. She wanted to wait until her book was published—until she could tear up the contract that bound them and start something real with him.
"Come on now." Akihiko said, stepping back with a smirk. "Eat first before taking a bath."
Ayaka nodded mutely as he led her to the dining table, pulling out a chair for her. As she sat, she couldn't help but think, 'The Ice Prince has finally melted…'
Akihiko served her food, watching closely as she took her first bite. "Do you like it?" he asked, his gaze unwavering.
"It's delicious!" Ayaka exclaimed, savoring the flavor as she eagerly took another bite.
A rare, satisfied smile played on Akihiko's lips. He reached over and gently patted her head.
------
After finishing her meal, Ayaka slipped into the bathroom, sinking into the warm water of the bathtub.
She let out a deep sigh, her body relaxing as steam curled around her.
Her fingers traced over her lips absentmindedly, remembering the way Akihiko had kissed her—slow, deep, consuming.
"I feel like the Ice Prince is spoiling me…" she murmured, her face heating at the thought.
She exhaled shakily, sinking deeper into the water. "If he keeps this up… I might end up getting used to it."
------
After her bath, Ayaka changed into her comfortable clothes and stepped out into the living room.
Akihiko was lying on the sofa, book in hand, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever.
"I'm done." she said softly as she approached.
Without warning, Akihiko reached out and pulled her onto the sofa, making her land on top of him.
"Wha—?!" Ayaka's protest was cut short when Akihiko buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply.
His lips brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine.
"A-Akihiko—"
"You have no idea how addicting you are, Ms. Midnight." he murmured, his voice dripping with heat.
Before she could respond, his lips captured hers in a slow, intoxicating kiss.
Ayaka melted instantly. Her fingers curled into his shirt as she kissed him back, her body pressing closer.
Akihiko's hands roamed down her back, pulling her flush against him.
The heat between them intensified as he sat up, guiding her onto his lap, never once breaking the kiss.
A soft sigh escaped her as Akihiko deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing her lips, coaxing them open.
Ayaka's arms wrapped around his neck as she gave in, surrendering to the raw emotion between them.
Minutes passed, their breaths mingling, their bodies locked together in an embrace neither of them wanted to break.
Finally, Akihiko pulled back, his forehead resting against hers, both of them panting softly. His blue eyes burned into hers, filled with something undeniable.
"I want to finish the book now." he murmured, his fingers brushing against her flushed cheek.
"L-like… now?" Ayaka's voice was breathless, her mind still dazed.
Akihiko nodded, looking like an impatient child. "We're on the last chapter, right?"
Ayaka blinked, trying to regain her composure. "Y-yeah, I guess."
"Good." He smirked. "Let's finish it now and have it proofread."
She let out a small sigh, playfully rolling her eyes. "Alright, alright~" she finally relented.
With that, they settled onto the couch, Akihiko sitting beside her as she pulled out her laptop.
His arm draped lazily over the back of the sofa, fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on her shoulder as she typed.
Occasionally, he leaned in, murmuring ideas into her ear, his lips too close to her skin, making it nearly impossible to focus.
Ayaka tried not to let it get to her, but Akihiko was making it very, very hard.
As they worked together, a quiet warmth filled the space between them—not just passion, but something deeper. Something neither of them could deny any longer.
Soon, the last chapter will be finished.
And then, they would no longer need a contract to define them.