After catching a flight back and heading straight into a social engagement, Livinus was clearly tired. He leaned back on the couch, occasionally rubbing his temples. Perhaps the alcohol was getting to him, as his breathing had grown heavier.
He must be exhausted.
They said he’d been on a plane for seven or eight hours.
Sophia hesitated before offering gently, “Would you like me to massage you?”
Livinus froze, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at her. Without a word, he adjusted his position, resting his head on her lap.
“…”
Clearing her throat, Sophia began massaging the acupuncture points on his head, helping him relax. She followed it with shoulder and neck massages, which significantly eased tension. When she was done, Livinus lay there with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Sophia then pulled out her acupuncture needles and began a session.
As the car pulled up to Sophia’s residence, she removed the needles and asked, “How do you feel?”
Livinus didn’t immediately respond. Her knowledge of atomy was impressive, and each touch seemed to target precisely the right spot, delivering relief. Paired with acupuncture, the results were outstanding. His headache had eased significantly, and he no longer felt the nerve pain he had anticipated.
In fact, he felt better than he had even before drinking.
However, her hands, which had been moving across his body the whole time, ignited a different kind of fire within him—a fire that seemed to consume him from the inside out.
It was an unsettling heat that stirred his emotions.
“Better?”
“Much better,” Livinus suddenly opened his eyes.
Sophia smirked. “If you’re feeling better, would you mind moving your noble head? I’d like to get out of the car now.”
Instead of moving, Livinus suddenly cupped her face.
Lying on her lap, Sophia had been looking down at him the whole time. She hadn’t anticipated this move. Before she could react, Livinus pulled her closer and kissed her.
This time, the kiss was even more passionate, as if he wanted to steal her very soul.
He sucked at her tongue relentlessly, leaving her no chance to escape, forcing her to drown in the overwhelming vortex of his embrace.
—
After what felt like an eternity, he finally let go of her. The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
“I told you, you owe me a kiss. Consider this repayment!”
Sophia was about to retort, but before she could, he leaned in again for another kiss. This time, he seemed to have developed a taste for it, determined not to let her go. His tongue turned her mouth into his personal battleground, chasing and savoring every inch. The tingling sensation spreading from her tongue sent shockwaves through her body, leaving Sophia nearly limp against him.
Finally, Livinus released her.
His eyes were filled with undisguised desire.
The intensity of that desire made Sophia feel as though he might devour her whole.
A faint smile played in his once-calm eyes. “That’s interesting.”
Sophia felt a heat rise within her, but before she could compose herself, he leaned close to her ear and whispered:
“Remember, next time, a kiss won’t be enough.”
Sophia kept her expression neutral, trying to mask her flustered state and avoid appearing completely dominated. But she understood all too well—she was no match for this man.
Flustered, she quickly made her escape.
—
Watching her retreating figure, Livinus’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Her body, at least, was more honest than her words.
She might claim she didn’t like him, but when it came to their kisses, she was more cooperative than anyone.
The driver at the front partition asked, “Boss Livinus, are we ready to leave?”
“Yes,” Livinus replied.
The car slowly disappeared down the mountain road.
The cold wind blew against Sophia as she pulled her coat tighter. Even as she lay in bed later, she still felt like everything that had happened was unreal.
But recalling Livinus’s behavior left her conflicted.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she were to be with him, it would be a secretive relationship subject to gossip and criticism.
Yet he wanted her to embrace the spotlight, standing tall under everyone’s gaze.
Could she do that?
For now, she couldn’t say.
—
The next morning, Sophia opened her clinic early, planning to finish seeing patients by noon so she could spend the afternoon house-hunting.
By 3 p.m., she had wrapped up her work. Thankfully, there weren’t any severe cases that day, allowing her to leave without issue.
At this time, the housing complex’s sales office wasn’t crowded.
The complex was a new project by a real estate company focusing on upscale residential units. The prices were high, with small units starting at four to five million Dollars. However, since the area fell under a good school district, it offered convenient schooling options for future children. If she didn’t live there herself, she could rent it out.
