520 Shake Me; Can't Break Me

Darren's head shook like a rattle denying her words instantly. "Why would I not want you here? You're the one who forced me here. Otherwise, why would I come to this place where I won't be able to see you or touch you?"

Xiu smiled in amusement, feeling content as she went on, "So, you're actually blaming me for sending you here?"

Darren, however, couldn't see her expressions and could only judge her mood from her voice which sounded like she was really getting mad at him. With a panicked voice, he said, "Sweets, why are you trying to dig my grave? I didn't mean it like that! I can never blame you for anything. In fact, you should put all the blame on me. I'm the one to blame."

"For what?"

"For everything," replied Darren. "I shouldn't have lied about my dad. I'm sorry!"

Xiu pinched his chin and tilted his face up as she said, "You didn't lie. You concealed it from me on purpose." Darren bit his bottom lip. "Now, let's hear the reason why you concealed it." She took a deep breath to gather her emotions. Talking about her previous life had never been easy. Especially about the people that somehow played bitter roles in that life. "Did you think if I knew about your dad, I'll leave you?"

Darren didn't even need to think about it. He shook his head on instinct. He knew Xiu wasn't someone who would leave him over such a thing. "I thought if I said anything, it'll bring that bitterness back into your life. I wanted to keep my distance from my dad because I didn't want that bitterness to follow you and hurt you all over again."

"But your dad plays no role in that bitterness," replied Xiu calmly and rationally. "The number of times I even met him can be counted on one hand."

"I know," stated Darren. "But even if dad didn't play any role, he would still remind you of Jin-g..." He coughed to rephrase, "I mean he'd remind you of Zhou Jinhai. I don't think you'd want that."

"If seeing Zhou Jinhai himself had no effect on me, why would anything else hurt?" Her hands played with the buttons of his shirt, slowly revealing his clavicle, chest, and then the abdomen muscles. 

Whatever Darren had in mind got stuck in his throat. Since he couldn't see anything, the sensation her hands brought to him was dangerously playing with his senses. He felt a soft touch of her lips on his neck and instinctively arched his head giving her access. How was he supposed to think anything with her beautiful lips teasing him so treacherously?

She pushed his body back on the mattress making him fall on his back. It was uncomfortable with his hands tied behind his back which was now under him. But he couldn't do anything about it neither did he want to as her lips came up to snatch his. He could only settle his head to receive her kiss. 

He loved seeing her expressions because she loved changing her expression every second. He wanted his hands to run around her skin. He wanted to touch even if it was just to confirm that she was here with him. Now, he truly felt like this was turning into a punishment. The only good part about this was that being not able to see and touch made every other sense of his to enhance ten-folds. And he felt that kiss like no other.

She had crushed their faces together, squeezing them together. It took a long time before she pulled away suddenly making him groan in exasperation. It was too short for him! But they were playing by Xiu's rules tonight so no one was gonna listen to what he wanted. At least for the time being.

The tip of her nose was touching his cheek and he could feel her hot breath making it a lot worse for him to stay calm. "I really want to beat you right now," she said in a soft voice.

"I don't mind. You can beat me all you want," he replied.

Xiu slapped his face. Well, it wasn't a real slap. It was more like a very tender slap. "I hate it when you so easily accept that you're at fault."

"Am I not supposed to?"

"No, that's not what I mean..." she laid her head on his chest as she said, "I don't know. I just don't feel right. Why are you always considering my feelings? Your relationship with your dad is pretty good. Why do you insist on putting a wall between you guys just so that I'm not hurt?"

"Pat! Pat!"

"What?" Xiu looked at him strangely.

"My hands are not free. I can't pat your head. Consider me doing it like this." Xiu laughed at his words and he grumbled, "Isn't it all your fault? I don't know what other punishment you have in stores but this one is worst. I want to hug you!"

Xiu couldn't stop laughing at him acting like that. He looked really adorable and that was not so often. After she calmed down, she sighed, "Baobei, you don't have to do it for me. I know Chen Xiu's life left a dark spot in your memory but now, I'm Bai Xiu. I'm not as weak as I had been. Trust me, waking up in a new body with no memories is not only bizarre but also scary. However, that experience has taught me a lot. My past can shake me but it can't break me like before."

"Are you sure?" he couldn't help asking.

"Yes, I am sure!"