Chapter 38: Chapter 38

NELINA

I wasn't comfortable sitting in Royce's lap, so he made some effort to make it easier. Royce wrapped his arm around my waist. He took my arm and placed it around his neck, pushing us closer.

"Oh, that's nice," he said, tucking my hair in my ear.

"So, what game are we playing now?" I asked, trying to hide my embarrassment. But I know my cheeks have betrayed me for blushing easily.

"Well, do you want us to do what we did last night?" He obviously said it to tease me; his annoying evil smirk was on his lips again.

"But you said you want us to play a game; I thought it was a serious game."

"Of course, it is. Let's play a SERIOUS game while you are sitting on my lap," Royce winked to the serious mention, emphasizing it.

I looked away, avoiding his beautiful deep black eyes.

This idiot is getting on my nerves.

Although, I must admit that there's a place in my heart that feels those sweet sensations.

Royce held my chin to make eye contact with him. He must be really good at getting into my weakness; I can't make eye contact without blushing.

"What?" I said impatiently.

"Alright, my love, here we go. Tell me 3 things that I don't know about you, and I'll do the same. Something that you are open to. Game?"

"Game. Should I go first?" I asked him in return.

"Ladies first."

"Thanks; I'll start with my brother. Mark's death anniversary was when my dad was admitted to the hospital on the third day. I went to the cemetery alone to visit his grave."

"You should have told me; I would have accompanied you."

"You're too busy for that."

"Baby, don't say that; I can make time for you," he said as he pulled me even closer. I was leaning on his broad chest, our face an inch close. Royce showered me kisses on my forehead.

"Isn't this too much? It's a bit awkward having a game in this position."

"I didn't remember an awkward moment last night when we were much closer than this."

"So mean, idiot." I glared at him, and I pinched his cheek out of annoyance.

Royce replied with a kiss on my lips.

"Fair enough. Do you want more? Every pinch is equal to a kiss. How about that?"

"Fine, no more pinching. Let's have the second one."

"Remember the first time I asked you to come with me to our condo where you meet the three girls who claim to be your friends?" He nodded in response.

"They are the reason I chose to workout outside our condo. Those girls used to bully me a year ago."

He gritted his teeth instead. "No, you should have told me that time. And baby, they're not my friends. It was the second time I met them; probably I saw them somewhere after the convention, but I never hung out with those girls."

"Nah, it's not like me. That is so immature, always looking for someone to defend me; I don't want that life anymore. I had my brother to defend me all the time when he was with me, probably the reason I never learned to defend myself until Mark was no longer with us."

"I can replace your brother now; I mean, I will be the one to defend you from now on," Royce said, and then he brushed the tip of his nose with mine.

"My baby, you don't fight the war all by yourself now. You have me."

No words came out of my mouth of how reassuring it was to hear it from Royce. My mind can always reject all the words he said, but I rejoiced in every promise he uttered in my heart. We stared at each other for seconds until he put his lips on mine.

"Hey, I didn't pinch you."

"I'm sorry, baby, but you are irresistible. I did it in reverse; now you can pinch me," he said as he trailed the back of his finger on my cheek.

I didn't wait for another second; I pinched his soft cheek as hard as possible. Royce moaned in pain when I squeezed it hard. His lips landed on mine the second I stopped pinching his cheek.

"And what is that for?" I asked, gently slapping his arm.

"That's the most painful pinch I've ever gotten. My cheek must be swelling from a monster's pinch," he said, slowly massaging his cheek.

"You are lucky, it was just a smack, but if you want more, I can give it to you right now," Royce added, and then he naughtily winked.

I cupped his mouth immediately.

"No thanks, I'm good. Let's proceed to the third one. I wasn't convinced with the investigation regarding my brother's death and my dad's severe spinal cord injury, so I did my own. I'm not done yet. It's a slow pace of investigation since I'm not an expert."

I slapped a hand in my mouth; I thought I was too fast that the last one might be too much to expose. I didn't even share it with Marica.

"Why?" Royce asked in concern; he must have noticed the confusion on my face.

"I shouldn't have said that to you."

"Baby, I wasn't expecting you'd say that, but you can trust me."

"Please don't tell Marica; she has no idea about the investigation."

"You have my word, my love. But I can help you fasten the investigation. Let me help."

"I'll think about it. For now, promise me, this will stay between us."

"I promise," he said and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Thank you. Now, your turn," I muttered in Royce's broad chest.

Royce adjusted our position; he supported his arms around my waist again, our faces an inch close from each other.

"Well, here's mine. First, I LOVE YOU. Second, I will pursue you, no matter what. Third, you are my girlfriend."

"Excuse me, that's unfair. Did I hear it right? Girlfriend?"

"Yeah, any objection? For me, you are my girlfriend."

"It doesn't make sense; you will pursue me when you already think I am your girlfriend. A bit confusing for me."

"Yeah, because I know you are not that open with me, I will continue pursuing you until everything is fine."

I refused to answer and looked away. Royce pinched my chin then swiveled my face back to him when I avoided his piercing eyes.

"Baby, look at me."

Oh, good God, he knows I can't resist his eyes. My facial expression hardened as I locked stared at him.

"I think things were too fast between us," I stared at his mustache, which prompted me to shut my eyes as a familiar image came to mind. A figure that I no longer want to be part of me anymore. Someone who hurt me so badly to leave me scarred these days.

"Nelly, I love you."

Royce trailed a finger on my cheek. "Baby, why are you crying?"

Only by then, I noticed, I shed a tear. The more convinced I am that I couldn't invest in a relationship again, it would be unfair for Royce. My scars are fresh. Royce looked at me the way I always wanted him; his eyes glittered like he adored me.

I love you too. Oh, how I wanted to shout those words to reciprocate your love and affection, Royce. But I can't, not now.

I can only scream it in my head. I voluntarily dug my head in his shoulder to find comfort, which he generously gave. Royce caressed my back enough to soothe my pain. He continuously stroked my back for a few more minutes while giving me little kisses on my forehead.

"Whatever it is, everything is going to be fine. I am here with you."

I was consoled enough when my awareness took me back to my body, precisely Royce's thick shaft on my ass. I was sitting in his shaft, my chest pressed on his. I didn't wear anything inside my bathrobe, which made my thoughts wild. I longed to be touched again.