Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire-Chapter 306: A Dashing Water Spirit

The idea crossed Lariette’s mind even before she was done with her food. She sprung to her feet with sudden energy, her exclamation startling Ruediger whose eyes widened slightly.

"...play in the stream?"

"Come on," Lariette chuckled, pulling Ruediger by his right hand, "Let’s go into the stream."

Ruediger raised an eyebrow, "Now?"

"Yes, now!" Lariette grinned, her eyes twinkling with delight, "We’ve been sitting too long. Besides, it’s a waste to be here and not dip our feet in! You gonna regret it if we don’t."

Ruediger let out helpless laughter. He gave Lariette a long, skeptical look, "Lettie, you’re trying to drag me into freezing water."

"Indeed, I am," Lariette replied proudly, laughing, "And I’m not sorry at all. Eddy, come on!"

Busting into laughter, Ruediger let Lariette pull himself up. She released his hand once he stood up, getting ready to roll up the hem of her pants to her knees. Then, she kicked her shoes off.

Ruediger followed suit, tugging off his shoes and socks. The moment his bare feet hit the chilly stones, he hissed through his teeth.

"Lettie, you weren’t kidding. It’s cold."

Lariette was already in the water, ankle-deep. Squealing in delight, she waved at Ruediger, "It’s not that cold! I bet you froze more when you hiked Annapurna."

Speechless, Ruediger couldn’t refute when Lariette brought up the time he trekked Annapurna[01]. The temperature there was much colder, enough to make him look for hot drinks and food all the time.

"Okay, okay, I’ll go in."

Then, Ruediger gave a reluctant chuckle as he stepped into the stream. The water was biting, winding smoothly around his feet, but the cold sensation was oddly refreshing.

Taking a careful step, Ruediger joined Lariette near the middle of the shallow stream. The current was gentle as it weaved past moss and rocks.

"Not bad, right?" Lariette smiled smugly, her brows arching.

"Not bad."

Ruediger reached for Lariette’s hand as he steadied himself on the slippery stones. With playful laughter, she bent down and quickly splashed water toward his calves.

"Eddy! You’re too slow!"

"Oh?"

Ruediger smirked, bending down quickly to return the attack. He returned the splash with a broader wave, catching Lariette on the knees. She squealed, surprised and shivering.

"Eddy! That’s cheating!"

"You started it, my dear."

Lariette and Ruediger chased each other back and further, splashing water like children. Their hearty laughter echoed in the air, blending with the rustle of dry autumn leaves and the gurgle of the stream.

"Aaa! I’m cold!"

Lariette hugged herself, shivering. The cold had just registered to her. Her calves waded toward the large, smooth boulder in the middle of the stream. It was partly dry from the sun.

Lariette simply leaned back against the boulder. Water dripped from her pants, her cheeks pink and hair messy from the breeze and water.

"That’s still fun. Hehe, what do you think, Eddy?"

Ruediger chuckled. Brushing his bangs away, he walked toward Lariette, "You have a quite strange definition of fun. You know that?"

"Hahaha! I’ll take that as a compliment."

Tilting her chin up, Lariette stared at the vast blue sky. Shadows fell on her when Ruediger came closer until he stood directly in front of her, ankle-deep in the stream.

Lariette lowered her gaze from the sky until her eyes met Ruediger’s, an amused little smirk tugging at her lips.

"Eddy, are you a water spirit now? A dashing one," Lariette teased, eyeing the way Ruediger’s sweater clung slightly to him from the splashes, his hair tousled by the breeze.

"And you look like a naughty forest nymph," Ruediger shot back, wearing the same smirk as Lariette, "Luring a dashing water spirit with snacks and beauty."

"Snacks and beauty, huh? Aren’t they irresistible combo?" Lariette giggled, her countenance beaming under the sunlight, "Hehe, surely you didn’t stand a chance, Eddy."

Ruediger leaned forward, resting both palms beside Lariette on the boulder, "I’m guilty as charged."

Lariette’s smirk softened into a honeyed smile, her expression tender as she looked at Ruediger, "Are you under a spell or something? It’s corny to admit this, but you always say what I wanna hear."

"You know the answer, my dear Lettie," Ruediger chuckled, mirth dancing in his emerald eyes, "I’m indeed under a spell. After all, I’m enchanted by you."

Lariette said nothing. She quietly assessed Ruediger’s countenance, finding only joy in it. Her heartbeat quickened the longer she let herself lose in his deep, affectionate gaze.

She tilted her head, a breeze catching a strand of her hair as she whispered, "Kiss me, Eddy."

And he did.

Ruediger leaned in, cupping one of Lariette’s cheeks gently. He brushed his lips over hers with a soft, almost devoted care as he sought entrance with the tip of his tongue.

The echoes of the stream, the rustle of leaves and the creak of tree branches faded. It felt as if it was just them there, sharing kisses against a boulder in the middle of a late autumn stream.

Lariette slid her arms around Ruediger’s neck, drawing him closer. She gasped softly when he slipped one hand under her sweater, his palm fit the small curve of her back.

"Haa..." he exhaled, his breath warm over her lips, "You’re so irresistible, Lettie."

She smiled. They kissed again, more passionate and deeper this time. Her fingers softly clung to his crimson locks, still damp from their earlier splashing game.

When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead on her shoulder, their arms tightly clung to each other.

Lariette caught the rapid beating of Ruediger’s heart, mirroring her own. The coldness of the winding stream and the passing breeze were forgotten as they sought warmth from each other.

"Eddy."

Her voice was low, barely a whisper by his ear. He answered with a hum, his arms still wrapped around her small frame.

"Yes, Lettie?"

Lariette pulled back slightly, leading Ruediger to lift his face. When his eyes found hers, he saw her sapphire orbs open and full of emotions.

"Eddy," Lariette said again, softly and almost shyly.

Ruediger curled his lips, giving Lariette a tender smile. He brushed a damp strand of hair away from her forehead.

"Yes, Lettie? Shall I grant my beloved with anything?"

Lariette hesitated, her eyes still locked into Ruediger’s. After a brief moment of silence, she whispered, "Will you make love to me tonight?"

Startled, his arms stilled around her.

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