Finally

"Lianne?" he called out softly. He didn't want to let go of her in case she slipped away, so he called her in the hopes that she'll look up.

She did.

"What?"

"I love you," Kai said with a smile, looking at her lovingly.

Lianne pressed her lips together, then replied, "I know that."

However, she was feeling a little bit bad about it because she couldn't say the same words back. She liked him, yes, but to the point of it being 'love'? She didn't know what she felt yet.

Kai knew that, and didn't mind. He just needed to tell her, before he kissed her.

Kai's words made Lianne's mind wander, like it tended to when she got worried. She couldn't say 'I love you' back to him, so would he feel upset? Her mind whirled and she was lost in her own world at that moment that she did not realise that he was leaning in to kiss her.

Kai was glad that Lianne wasn't pulling away though the slightly dazed look on her face made him think that she was too caught up in surprise to really do much.

Which was fine by him.

He wasn't one to force, but he wouldn't pass a good opportunity either.

His lips parted as he descended upon her lips … only to stop suddenly when she asked, "How many bride candidates do you have?"

Lianne couldn't help but ask him that, because she was feeling rather uneasy.

He loved her but he has this whole list of women that were his potential wife. One of those women would be the one that the Sheng's would approve of and she definitely would not be on that list.

She knew his feelings were sincere, but could he really fight the Shengs to keep her?

Did he know about them?

What were his plans for them?

Why didn't he tell her?

Was it because he didn't know or was it because he didn't care about them?

Even if he wasn't taking them seriously, wasn't it something he ought to have told her?

All of these thoughts kept swirling in her mind that she just blurted out her question.

When she did, she broke out of her 'trance' of deep thinking, only to discover that his face was so close! She could even feel his breath on her lips, as if his lips were just millimeters away from her own.

She gasped, her lips parting open as she was completely shocked by his sudden closeness.

Her gasp shook Kai out of his shock due to her question and he gave a small smile as he replied, "Only you."

Without another word, he sealed her lips with his own.

Finally! He thought, cherishing this moment thoroughly. She was as sweet as he had imagined her to be.

Lianne's mind went blank as she felt those soft lips on hers.

He had captured her upper lips in his own, and with the slight parting of her lips, his bottom lips were inbetween her own.

He gave a gentle kiss, and Lianne felt such soft yet firm lips grasping her lips lightly then it left, before she felt it again.

And again.

And again.

He would kiss her upper lips, then her lower lips, all the while always light kisses but enough to have her feel each and every single kiss clearly. When he ran the tip of his tongue upon her lower lips, Lianne couldn't help but let out a small moan.

Lianne couldn't think anymore, but just feel the sensations of his lips, the firmness of his chest, and the strength of his hug.

Kai's hand went behind her head as he then deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue inside her delectable mouth, passing through the soft lips and teeth before finding its treasure.

Lianne gripped Kai's shirt tightly, feeling her legs getting weak as he continued tasting her thoroughly.

So this is what a kiss felt like.

It wasn't just the lips that felt it, but her entire being. She felt like she just wanted to melt and meld into one with him as she learned to return his kisses. Tentatively at first, as she nervously mimicked everything that he did.

Feeling her respond just made Kai not wanting to let go at all, as he continued to indulge himself thoroughly.

When he finally broke the kiss, both of them were breathing heavily and he placed his forehead on hers. Giving her a peck on the forehead, he said softly, "I've been wanting to do that from the first moment I saw you."

"Pervert," Lianne replied softly, hitting him on the chest.

Kai grinned.

"Only for you, sayang," he replied.

Pushing on his chest a bit, Lianne looked up at him and said, "But you're still not off the hook. I know about the bride candidates the Shengs have for you."

Kai frowned.

"What bride candidates?" Kai asked, "I mean, yes, Grandpa and Grandma have started getting on my case about getting married but that's about it."

"You're telling me you don't know?" Lianne asked, raising an eyebrow, "If they're already asking you about it, you think they'd not have some women in mind?"

Kai sighed deeply and gave her a kiss instead.

"Stop that!" Lianne huffed as he did so, "Are you deliberately avoiding the topic?"

"I feel upset," Kai said, "So I need to kiss you to feel better."

And he kissed her again.

Before he could steal yet another kiss, Lianne had put her hand in-between their lips and she glared at him.

Kai sighed again and kissed her forehead.

"Yes, you're right," Kai admitted, "Although they haven't told me about it, I know they must have a list of women to match with me. That's why I had to let your presence be known."

Lianne glared at him further, "And you didn't tell me because ..?"

Kai shrugged, "It wasn't important. Those women aren't important, you are. I don't care about them."

"That's not the point," Lianne replied, "I know those women mean nothing to you, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't tell me. I need to know. Don't keep me in the dark."

Kai frowned, his thoughts in a jam, unable to understand what she was saying.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Lianne but he had truly felt it was not an issue. This was something he could handle, so why bother her with it?

She could just be as she is, and be by his side.

That's all he needed.

These small matters - and any matters - can be dealt with by him.

He had always done things by himself and protected his mother well. He can do the same for Lianne.

Lianne took a deep breath and put her hands on his cheeks, turning his head to face her.

"Kai," she said softly, "You're not alone."

He blinked, seeing her concern and in her eyes … care? Love?

"You've worked hard to be where you are," Lianne continued, "And you still remain the sweetheart that you are."

Kai gulped.

No, he wasn't a sweetheart.

He was ruthless.

He had done unimaginable things in order to protect his mother, and to be at the top.

What would she think or do, if she knew?

"The blood on your hands does not bother me," Lianne told him and those words shocked him.

Wait.

What?

His eyes went wide.

What was she saying?

How could she know?

More importantly, how come she seemed to answer everything that he was thinking?!