Aselia’s POV

It was harder than anything I had ever done to push him away and turn him down. Every time I did that, it was torture for both of us. He tried to act cool but I knew it killed him inside and now it killed me too. We were now woven in an invisible thread, which when pushed apart, hurt, both of us. One of these days it was going to rip me apart.

The pain of the first day was so severe that I almost threw myself at him. Not realizing the consequences of my actions. Testing his patience and breaking his heart all over again. I wanted out of this vicious cycle. This was enough torture for both of us. But there was no escape and I seemed to have been stuck in an endless tug of war with him.

My fever was finally gone and I could keep food down without wrenching my insides out. He was bringing me food every hour, cooking it himself, and by nighttime, I had to stop him because I couldn’t eat anymore. My stomach was filled to the brim.

"Xiran I can’t eat anymore." I pleaded with him when he held another spoon full of rice in front of my mouth.

"You are becoming paler and weaker, you haven’t eaten for three days. Replenish your energy, finish this plate." He didn’t remove the spoon, his eyebrows raised at me.

"This is the third plate you are feeding me." I pouted at him. My vomiting had stopped but any more food would start again.

"Yes, because you need it." He pushed the spoon forward with a twinkle in his eyes.

"It’s not possible for me to eat even a single morsel. Later please." He sighed at my request and placed the spoon down. And I could see the bracelet I had given him jiggle in his sturdy wrist. He saw me staring at it so he kissed it and spoke in his enchanting voice:

"I never thanked you for it. It’s so elegant and I loved it. Thank you for such a thoughtful gift." He offered me a broad smile that reached his intelligent eyes. My heart fluttered seeing him satisfied with what I chose for him.

"And I didn’t even get a chance to wish you because you decided to act as an as*hole on your birthday." I shook my head at him in disapproval. He touched his ears and pouted at my words before saying:

"You are right. Sorry, will never happen again." He looked so cute pulling his ears and I burst out laughing. It was impossible to stay mad at him.

"I forgive you and I am glad you liked it." He instantly transported me in his lap at my words and buried his nose in my neck, caressing it, nuzzling it, sniffing it.

"I love it," he murmured and I remembered he hadn’t fed on me for days now.

"Drink," I tilted my neck to give him better access.

"No, that’s not the reason I drew you closer." He whispered in my ear, his lips tracing their outline, as he nibbled on them. My ears began to heat up.

"I know, still you need to drink." I glanced back at him and he was already staring at me. His hand reached out and caressed my cheek.

"Mhm," he whispered and kissed my neck before plunging his canines deep into it, sending an electrifying effect rippling through my entire system. I shuddered at the feeling that always tangled between pleasure and pain. His hands slipped to my waist and wanted access to my skin, I felt him tugging at my shirt as they slipped inside, slightly moving up and touching my bra. I shifted uneasily and he held on to me tightly from my waist.

His fingers traced the boundary of my bra and I gave in to his touches, my heart thudded and I tried to relax and pressed against him. He didn’t feed on me for long and slipped his canines out after a few minutes.

"Why are you stopping so soon?" I inquired feeling flushed. His hand still rested on my breast as he squeezed the right one so gently and my breathing got hitched in my throat. Seemed like I forgot to inhale and exhale.

"Relax, you have been sick, that’s enough." He whispered and began to kiss the edges of my neck. His hands tugged at my bra, wanting access.

His warm fingers fondled them, making sparks erupt all over my body and my whole being trembled to give in to his desires. My hips began to move of their own accord. I closed my eyes, and everything I felt seemed to multiply. His index finger and thumb found my erect peak and he fondled it between them. Making me moan loudly and shamelessly.

"I like that sound from you, Leia." His hot breath was in my ear and his tongue began to explore the depths of my ear. A surge of pleasure and pain traveled to my core.

Then his phone began to ring and he sighed so loudly before slipping his hands out and looking at the Caller ID. Reluctantly he let me go and got up, to step outside to answer it.

I felt extremely hot, how shamelessly I melted under this man’s touch. Finally taking a deep breath I flopped on the pillow, my desires sizzled through me and my body wanted him closer. My skin tingled where he had touched me.

A few minutes passed and he came back inside, adjusting his silky hair. They were open today and fell below his hips now.

"Sorry, work," he mumbled striding towards me and settling beside me on the bed.

"It’s ok, do you have to leave?" I tried not to sound disappointed.

"No, I sorted it on the phone. Will be staying with you, if you want," He reached out and touched my leg. I nodded placing my hand on his. He raised his hand and turned the back of his phone toward me.

"What are you doing?" I raised my brows at him and sat up straight, trying to get his phone. He raised it out of my reach and chuckled before mumbling: "Nothing."

"You were taking my picture, weren’t you? Without telling me." I scowled at him and his audacity.

"Umm, I am always taking your pictures. This is the first time you caught me though." He smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"What? Show me." I tried to grab the phone from him but he held it high, out of my reach and I cursed his height.

"Nops, they are private. Only meant for my eyes."

"You as*hole, did you capture me inappropriately?" I felt annoyed and pulled his ear, dragging him closer to me.

"Ouch, ouch. No, it’s nothing like that. They are just private moments that I caught you in. When you sit quietly or stare in a distance, or think no one is watching you." He smiled and I let go, blushing.

"Let’s take a selfie." He offered me his hand and pulled me closer to him.

"Alright, but just one." He turned on the front camera and pulled my cheek, making a silly face himself while I peeked at him, annoyed. He clicked and captured the moment forever. It was a fun picture, he tucked away his phone and pecked my cheek.

"What would you like to do, now?" He implored lightly.

"Will you read to me again?" I wanted to hear his soothing voice.

"You don’t have to ask." He tilted his head and smiled at me. My heart raced and I quickly got up to fetch a book so he could read to me.

Approaching the cupboard I took out one of the books I had brought from his house and headed back to him. Opening it on my way to him, something fell from it. Bending down I picked it up and found it to be a picture. Flipping it I found it to be a family picture. I stopped in my tracks and froze.

My eyes fell on the two young boys in the picture, standing with a woman and a man. One of the older boys, maybe around 7 years old had silvery hair just like Xiran while the younger one had black hair.

The woman standing beside them was the epitome of beauty and elegance. I had never seen a prettier woman than her in my entire life. From her long silvery hair to her enchanting grey eyes, she was the epitome of beauty and she resembled Xiran.

But then my eyes fell on the man standing with them and that made me almost shriek, I covered my mouth with my hand and the picture slipped from my other hand and slowly dropped to the ground. My body shook involuntarily, my legs wobbled and I felt sick to my core. Just wanting to slump to the ground, my head began to spin.