Chapter 127

Shaking her head, Layla replied, "We've come this far, I have to face the challenge head-on. It's too late to back out now."

Samuel tightened his grip on her hand, "Good, because even if you were thinking about it, I wouldn't let you." He pulled her into his arms and planted a firm kiss on her forehead. "You are mine for life."

For life... what a profound concept.

Layla's heart fluttered, sending ripples through her being.

"Are you serious about the wedding?" she asked.

"Do I look like a man who would joke about marriage?"

Stunned, she said, "I... I just didn't expect it to happen so fast, it all feels a bit... surreal."

Recalling the moment he announced their engagement in front of everyone, she still felt dizzy and incredulous, as if she were in a dream.

"I'm not one to make empty promises. When I say I'll marry you, Layla, I mean it. In this lifetime, if I, Samuel, take anyone as my bride, it'll be you and no one else," Samuel declared with unwavering conviction, etching each word deep into Layla's heart.

"Stop, please," Layla, her cheeks flushed with color, felt as if she were floating on a cloud, basking in sweetness so intense it seemed to ferment.

"Let's go home," she murmured bashfully, avoiding his gaze.

Samuel wrapped her in his embrace, "Yeah, let's go home." He cherished that word.

...

By eleven o'clock, after freshening up in the villa, Layla felt overwhelmingly tired. Seated at her vanity, applying moisturizer, she suddenly remembered Samuel's words about tonight and felt a shiver run through her heart, followed by a wave of nervousness.

He must have forgotten by now.

"Knock, knock-"

Just as the thought crossed her mind, there came a knock at the door.

Layla licked her lips and cautiously opened the door a crack. "Miss Adkins, I hope you haven't gone to bed yet. The male bodyguard would like to see you in his room."

"Is something the matter? I'm about to sleep; I'm so tired," Layla said, punctuating her words with a yawn.

"You should see him. You'll understand once you're there."

With no other choice, Layla, still in her nightgown, walked over and knocked on the neighboring door.

"Come in," came the man's deep voice from the other side.

Layla carefully pushed open the door, and the sight before her rooted her to the spot. The room was filled with the soft glow of candle-like lights. Twinkling fairy lights arranged in a heart shape encircled the bed, and the air was perfumed with the sweet scent of peach.

"It's so beautiful. Did you do this?" she asked Samuel, her eyes lit with surprise.

"Do you like it?" he inquired.

Layla nodded fervently. "I love it. What girl doesn't adore a surprise?"

"I wish I had more time. It could have been perfect," Samuel said, a touch of regret in his voice. He wanted to give her the very best.

"It's already perfect, thank you," she replied.

This was the first time a man had prepared such a surprise for her, especially coming from a man of his demeanor, so not the type to indulge in romance. It just showed how much he really cared about her.

These days, Layla found herself frequently moved by him.

"Is a 'thank you' all I get?" he teased.

"What else do you want?" she asked.

Samuel tilted his face toward her, waiting. Layla pursed her lips, gave him a playful glance, and tiptoed up to kiss him. But before she could, Samuel captured her lips in his, lifting her gently like a porcelain doll as Layla instinctively wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Together, they fell back onto the bed adorned with red roses, the fragrance enveloping them.

This time, Layla didn't hold back or feign shyness; she followed her heart and kissed him back willingly.

Under her passionate encouragement, Samuel found himself growing even more excited, a look of pleasant surprise in his eyes. "Your kissing has improved."

"Has it...? I don't know..."

"Yes, my darling, you're getting better and better." Samuel whispered into her ear, each word as intoxicating as a fine wine, making Layla swoon with delight.

His hand gently traced up her soft legs, moving closer to the hem of her skirt.

Layla held her breath, her nervousness almost unbearable.

"Just relax."

"I... I'll try."

"I'll be gentle," Samuel coaxed softly, his heart growing tender at her bashful expression.

Layla nodded, closed her eyes, feeling a tingling sensation all over.

"Open your eyes, look at me," Samuel whispered as he kissed her lips. "It's me, your man, wanting you..."

Layla was swept away in a torrent of passion...

...

In the morning, Layla was awakened by a tickling sensation.

"Stop..." She swatted the hand away and opened her sore eyes to find the man's handsome, smiling face greeting her.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Despite staying up until three in the morning, he looked refreshingly cheerful, his eyes brimming with laughter.

Layla, however, felt aching all over, too weak to even lift her arms; every fingertip tender and limp.

"Hmm?" She mumbled groggily, "What time is it?"

"Ten o'clock."

"Ten?!" Layla exclaimed, attempting to get out of bed only to be gently pushed back down by him.

"I've already called your office and taken care of your leave for the day."

Layla sighed helplessly. Her body was sore, and she certainly wasn't in any shape to go to work.

They say beauty can bring down a nation, but it seems a handsome man might just do the trick for her.

Her eyes playfully glared at him as she whined, "At this rate, am I ever going to make it to the office again? How will I earn money?"

"Now that you have me, why would you need to make money? You could get tired just from spending it!"

Layla couldn't help but laugh.

True, he had plenty of money, and she could go on shopping sprees if she wanted. But she wasn't into extravagant purchases; the idea was more of a whimsical fantasy. Pursuing her dreams brought her more fulfillment than splurging on luxuries.

Now, her pursuit of her dreams had encountered a rather distracting obstacle - a man of captivating charm.

"Did you have a good time last night?" Samuel teased, playfully pinching her chin and sending a shiver down her spine with his seductive gaze and deep voice, sending tingles dancing across her skin.

Blushing, Layla looked away.

"Look at me and answer my question."

"It was... it was okay" Layla bit her lower lip, her embarrassment palpable.

"Just like that?" Samuel raised an eyebrow, his voice a raspy hum, "By the look on your face, I don't think it was just 'like that.'"

"You... you know everything and still ask, just drop it," Layla muttered, her cheeks turning as red as an apple, tempting Samuel to take a bite. He teased her lips with his fingertip, his gaze burning with intensity.

Layla, sensing something in the air, nervously stammered, "Last... last night was an accident, don't get any ideas, we can't be... doing it often..."

"Uh huh, I know."

He agreed so easily? Layla was surprised but then she caught the confident look in his eyes as he slowly boasted with pride, "Based on last night, I won't have to initiate anything; you'll come to me willingly. Don't forget, you were the one who initiated it the second time."