In the morning, Long Huojin stirred on the bed. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xue Guangli wrapped in nothing but a single bed sheet half-wrapped around her naked body, staring out at the window.

Beyond the window was the view of the lake.

Long Huojin rose out bed, approaching Xue Guangli from behind. He could tell she was worried about something. They both knew what it was, felt it. But he wouldn"t let anyone take him down unless it meant to dug their own grave; it meant that it would be their undoing, which was inevitable.

Long Huojin leaned over her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her from behind, enjoying the view. The lake beyond them was a deep dark blue-green, with blankets of moss over the rocky boulders, stretching from below the water, peeking above.

There was a dock that rocked side to side, slightly above the water. The windows were open, and they could hear the gulls pa.s.s by.

Xue Guangli turned her head slightly, and Long Huojin took it as an opportunity to kiss her on the lips. She broke the kiss to say, "I like it here. It"s peaceful and quiet, away from everyone."

He knew what she meant. It was also an escape from their troubles.

He gazed into her eyes, finding worry and dread etched in them. "We"ll find a place like this or several places that are big and private," he responded. Xue Guangli smiled, liking the idea, thinking about their future.

Xue Guangli dropped the bedsheet she held over her body, revealing her naked body again.

She touched his shoulder, tracing his collarbones, snaking her hand down his arm. She stopped at his left hand, entwining her fingers with his. Using her thumb, she brushed it over his wedding band.

"We"re married," she said, almost unbelieving.

Long Huojin"s grinned broadened. He then took her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. His black hair tumbled over his eyes, and he continued by opening her palm, kissing the smooth skin of her hand appreciatively.

He held it up high before placing it on his shoulder. He then reached out to tug her into his embrace. Xue Guangli circled her arms around his neck. She gazed into his pale-blue eyes, getting lured into him.

It had always been like this, she thought. Xue Guangli had battled his seductiveness for years because of how he naturally pulled people in. She fought it because she thought she hated him. She thought he was arrogant, thoughtless, and senseless, but she had been wrong for so long. But that didn"t matter anymore.

Long Huojin held her hips, caressing her skin. She still felt the aches of their lovemaking from the long night, but she was always open to their pa.s.sion. She felt addicted to him.

Her fingers explored his skin, and he allowed it, watching her.

It did not take long to rouse him again. He was sensitive to Xue Guangli"s touch, and there were other times when she wasn"t dating him, that he felt aroused just by looking at her, and he had to take care of things himself.

Xue Guangli captured his lips, and he kissed her back fiercely. He grabbed her legs and lifted her towards the bed. Like a sloth, Xue Guangli clung to him, not breaking the kiss. They were both tired from the lack of sleep, so on the bed, they laid down on their sides to gaze at each other.

Long Huojin felt like sleeping again, but his arousal persisted, and Xue Guangli"s eyes on him scorched. He felt happy and content that he was married to the love of his life. He had dreamt of this moment, and he couldn"t resist the way she looked at him with dreamy eyes.

Xue Guangli curled into his embrace, entangling their legs. She kissed him, lifting one of her legs to wrap around his waist. He entered her slowly, filling her up, and she gasped against his lips, opening her eyes. He hugged her as he increased the pace of his movements. She squeezed against him, wanting to feel his full thrust. It was raw and sensual, and gentle (most of the time), and she couldn"t help but want more since he was careful.

When they climaxed, Long Huojin didn"t leave her body. They were exhausted and damp, falling asleep instantly.

When they woke up, they took their time to lather each other again in the bathroom.

Staying at the rented house wasn"t their honeymoon. Long Huojin promised her that their honeymoon would come after when they solved all their troubles and diminished their worries.

Present Day:

Xue Guangli stared at the window of Long Huojin"s home, with a blanket wrapped around her. She stared at the empty front yard, imagining the lake she stayed at with Long Huojin after they got married.

Xue Teegan stood behind her worried, as her younger sister didn"t say a word. Xue Guangli stared at walls and windows blankly; her eyes had stark restlessness underneath.

Yin Shou stepped behind Xue Teegan, rubbing her arms. He kissed her on the back of her head. "I know you"re worried about her, but we need to do something to help Long Huojin."

Xue Teegan nodded.

It had been 36 hours since Long Huojin"s arrest, and every moment irritated Xue Teegan. Long Huojin was like a little brother to her; he was her sister"s husband, to her surprise, and the best friend of her boyfriend.

"I think Guangli is waiting for something," Xue Teegan responded to Yin Shou.

Yin Shou arched a brow. "How do you know?" he asked.

Xue Teegan nodded at her direction. "She placed her phone right-side-up on the table. I think she"s waiting for a phone call."

Yin Shou narrowed his eyes, observing Xue Guangli who stayed in the same position for hours. She only rose when she needed to use the bathroom and not for any other moment.

Xue Teegan would drop off some tea or food, and watch if there were any sudden changes in her expression.

The phone rang, and Xue Guangli stood up, immediately answering the phone.

"h.e.l.lo?" she answered.