Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 139: First kiss (2)

"Are you toying with me, Ophelia? If you aren’t careful, I will give you what you are asking for," Dante said, seeing right through Ophelia’s plans.

"You wanted me to be honest, and when I am, you think that I am pretending. I shall never be open again," Ophelia said, moving her hand, but just as she expected, Dante held onto her hand.

It took great restraint for Ophelia not to smile.

In recent days, Dante craved skin contact.

Usually, Ophelia would never allow it, but it was comforting with Dante.

Dante knew Ophelia wasn’t being honest, but he couldn’t tell why she was playing with his feelings.

Was it because he constantly teased her?

Was this Ophelia’s way of getting even with him?

Dante kept his hold of Ophelia’s hand. He was a fool to expose what he knew of her plans.

Real or not, to have Ophelia attempt to seduce him was worth watching. When would he see this side of her again?

"Why didn’t you tell me then that you liked how I looked?" Dante asked, playing along with Ophelia’s game.

’This bastard,’ Ophelia thought.

Ophelia suspected Dante was challenging her, but though her plan was off to a bad start, she would not lose.

Dante had one weakness, which Ophelia was well aware of.

His feelings.

As cruel as it might be, Ophelia would use them against him.

"It was difficult to admit at the moment, but I was indeed fond of you when we met earlier. I noticed how the maids who walked near the training grounds looked at you, and all I wanted was to block their eyes since I am the only one to look at you," said Opehlia.

"I welcomed you to my chamber, but you declined. You would have a far better view if you came here more often. Still, I am pleased to hear more of your attraction towards me. What is it that you want me to indulge you in?" Dante asked, leaning forward.

Ophelia slipped forward, drawing closer to Dante. "I’m getting rid of my plans of wanting to see if it is more than just an attraction between us. I have never felt this way about anyone else, and I deem it impossible that another man can bring on these feelings. Can I touch you?"

"You may," Dante allowed.

Dante welcomed Ophelia with open arms. She was digging a deeper hole for herself.

Ophelia wasn’t the intimate kind, but if she was going so far to win, then Dante would have to applaud her.

Ophelia stood up and sat down on the arm of Dante’s chair. She placed the palm of her hand on his chest, feeling his warmth.

Though it was meant to be part of a game, Ophelia had to compose herself as other thoughts plagued her mind.

The man before Ophelia was handsome, and she was smitten with him. If she wasn’t careful, it could turn from a game to something real.

Ophelia noticed how tense Dante’s body had become, and it seemed like he was holding his breath.

Ophelia couldn’t help but laugh. "It is no wonder we had to sleep on opposite ends of the bed. One little touch and you are as hard as rock. You can relax, Dante. I won’t bite you. Now you know how it feels to be teased," she said.

Ophelia attempted to move to free Dante from the torture, but his arms slipped around her waist and pulled her down on his lap.

"Remember, you came into my space, so you only have yourself to blame for what follows. We can conclude that you have won with your little game. I am weak under your touch," Dante confessed.

"You must calm yourself," Ophelia said as Dante still felt tense.

"How could I possibly calm myself when the woman I have feelings for is finally in my arms? Allow me to enjoy this moment before you run from me. Was it all a lie, or can you confess that you felt a special way about me today?" Dante asked, his hand resting on Ophelia’s lower back, to nudge her forward.

"Must I say it again? You commented on my inability to look you in the eye today. Of course, I felt drawn to you. Who wouldn’t be affected by the kingdom’s loved hero standing before them with his upper body exposed and the sun seemingly loving you? I am a woman. I still find myself weak to you," Ophelia admitted.

"There," Ophelia said, giving Dante a little tap on his chest. "Does that please you? Is it what you have been waiting all day to hear?"

"It is," Dante said, holding Ophelia’s hand captive.

"Now that I have made you happy, I don’t need to feel so guilty of prolonging my decision on our future. I only need to give you a bit of hope whilst I make my decisions," said Ophelia.

"Soon, you will see that you have already decided. You wouldn’t be sitting so comfortably on my lap if you hadn’t, nor would you have welcomed me to live with you and Theo. I hope to be at your side on the day you realise you love me," Dante said.

"Love? Isn’t that too far ahead? Are we not starting with being smitten with each other? Or, is it that you love me?" Ophelia asked, but she knew it couldn’t be so.

"I’ll take it slow. This is new to me as well," Dante said, careful with his answer to not scare Ophelia. "I have questions and fears as do you, but I try to hold good faith that we can make it work in our favour. I cannot predict the future, but I trust we will be good to each other and last."

"You are good with your words. It is no wonder the kingdom loves you," Ophelia said, poking her finger at Dante’s chest as she spoke.

"Yet, I am only interested in when you will love me," Dante said,

"I mustn’t be here," Ophelia said, wanting to go back to her chair, but Dante wouldn’t allow it. "I was going to be kind enough to ignore the issue at hand, but I can feel your feelings for me," she said, drawing attention to what she felt beneath her.

"You are the cause of it," Dante responded.

"I recall sitting on the arm of your chair, not on your lap. That was your doing," Ophelia pointed out.

"You aren’t putting up much of a fight to move. I must indulge myself as well," Dante said, unable to resist the urge to kiss Ophelia. "Forgive me."