CHAPTER 4

Susan lay on her bed, restless. She couldn't get the handsome devil out of her mind. What was he thinking making jokes like that? Does he not know how much he means to me? Does he not care about me?—were the questions flying around her head.

How was she even supposed to seduce the devil with how things were going? She needed private time with him but didn't see herself getting it anytime soon. What was she supposed to do? Should she visit him? No, that would cause a scandal if she were to be caught in the house of a very eligible bachelor without a chaperone. What were her options then?

Clink!

The sound of something hitting her window distracted her for a moment, but she ignored thinking it was her imagination.

Outside Susan's window stood a tall figure in the dark. He picked another little stone that wouldn't make too much noise to attract other people's attention, hurled it at the window for the second time and waited impatiently for the vixen to open up. He couldn't help but wonder if she had fallen asleep, but the candle glow from the other smaller window convinced him otherwise.

He looked around to make sure somebody was not watching him as he picked up a couple of stones from the ground before hurling them one by one at her window. Wondering what was taking her so long, he absentmindedly threw the last stone in his hand when the window suddenly opened, causing the Stone to connect with the Vixen's head.

"Ouch!" Susan flinched as something collided with her forehead with force.

"Damnation!" He cursed under his breath, "I am sorry. Are you okay?"

"Edmund?" She called out in surprise as she poked her head out of the window, and to her surprise, the man was standing a few meters away from her window while taking a shield behind the oak tree in her backyard. "What are you doing out there by this time of the night?"

"Hey, can I come in?" Edmund asked impatiently as he moved closer to her window.

"I don't know. I mean, okay." She moved away from the window to give him room without even thinking straight.

Just like a cat would, the man made a smooth entrance into her room through the window. It even seemed like he had had years of practice of going into a lady's room like that. She couldn't help but frown at her thoughts. 

He closed the window to avoid any mistakes before walking to the door to do the same thing. He finally swaggered towards her looking all heavenly and godly and alluring and beautiful and everything perfect in this world. "Hey," 

"Hey," She greeted back but her voice came out squeaky, causing her to clear her throat that suddenly felt dry.

"I am sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't know you were there. I should have waited a little longer before throwing the stone—"

"Relax. I am sure it is nothing serious."

"Are you sure? Let me take a look at it," He moved closer and peeled her hand away from her forehead, "Oh, there is a cute little bump right here," He pointed at it.

Susan laughed a little, "Cute little bump? Do you think the bump is cute? What if it becomes larger?"

"It won't be cute anymore."

"I thought as much." Her smile slowly faded when she saw how his eyes roamed her body through her night rail. His eyes seemed to linger on her bosom, causing her to tug her gown up, "Why are you here— Duke Edmund?"

Edmund turned away and gulped. She looked nothing less than a temptress under the candlelight. With her plump lips slightly open and those big eyes staring up at him like he was the centre of her world, he almost lost his mind. What was he thinking sneaking into her room? "Duke Edmund, huh?" He began to examine the familiar room.

Clutching her nightgown to suppress the urge to follow him around the room like a puppy, she smiled at his insinuation, "Is that not your name and title anymore?"

"What happened to first name basis or your 'Eddie,'?"

"Oh? Last time I checked someone said first name basis should be reserved for friends, loved ones—or lovers."

"So we are not friends or lovers?" His question made her jaw drop slightly. He smiled at her, "I was joking. How about friends?"

"I don't know. Are we friends?"

"Mm. Seeing how much you told your father about me, you don't see me as a friend?"

"No. You said it yourself. A man and a woman can not be friends, especially in our case, Duke Edmund." She took a deep breath before releasing it.

"Our case? Pray tell what you mean." He picked up a hairband from her vanity table, "You still have this?"

"Of course! It was a gift from you to me."

He threw her a side glance before placing it back on the table. "What case were you talking about."

"A case where I wanted you to be my husband."

He leaned on the vanity table with his hands folded on his chest. One of his brows quirked up, "Wanted? Did you finally heed my advice of giving up on marriage?"

"No. Why would you think something like that?" She locked her eyes on his and gently walked towards him till she stood in front of him.

His tongue involuntarily made its way to his lips for a quick lick. Why he was breathing hard, he couldn't tell. Since when did her closeness start affecting him to the point of losing composure? He straightened up as the vixen stood in front of him with a determined yet, seductive look in her eyes.

"Eddie," She gently untangled his hands from his chest and moved closer to him until their bodies were almost touching, "Who told you that I have given up on making you mine?"