Sam's brows briefly raised, surprised. A frown then resurfaced on his lips.

As I saw his dejected expression, I now then realized what I had said. Instinctively, the hand that I placed on his chest clasped.

"I — I'm not serious." I stammered as the corner of my lips tilted into an awkward smile.

Did I lose my mind? How dare I tell him he stinks? Me? Of all people?

I was a little lost at the strange scenarios that suddenly played in my head that my mouth just went off on its own. Stupid mouth!

"Did I make you unhappy?" Sam inquired, making me a bit confused.

But I still answered, shaking my head. "No. Definitely not."

"If that's not the reason, are you, perhaps, horny just now? I don't mind tainting this sacred castle if you need me to."

"Ah?" What was he suddenly saying with a straight face?

"I don't see any reason you'll tell me I stink if not for those reasons." Sam shrugged his shoulders as he cocked his head a little to the side.

What? I'm confused. Are we on a different page again?

I blinked my eyes countless of times. Suddenly, my mind had finally retrieved a memory from the past.

You stink. Were Sam's words during our early days. I thought little about it since it was the truth. Well, unlike now, having to bathe in the past was rare.

However, now that he was saying this, I recalled Sam had a different meaning on things. Sometimes, he uttered words with different meaning and intention.

"Before, you — you said I stink." After pursing my lips in a thin line, I asked. "Why did you say that?"

"I was horny and very sensitive. If you touch me that second, I would have pinned you down and tore all your clothes. I told you I might end up fucking you… hard, didn't I?" Sam bluntly explained.

His memory was excellent. Applaud. However, my fist clasping his chest trembled. My knees felt weak as they wobbled.

"So that's the reason…" I looked down, taken aback, as I didn't expect that.

"Did that bother you until now?"

I nearly forgot about it, honestly. But, now that it returned to my memory, it bothered me.

Slowly, Sam took a step forward, and I instinctively took a step back. As I raised my head, he smiled, holding my hand that was on his chest, and pulled me closer.

His other hand smoothly glided around my lean waist as he bent down with a smirk. His action brought my other fist to rest on his chest.

My heart thumped loudly as my breathing grew heavier. Until now, my heart still raced around him. I could not help but be dazzled by his beauty despite seeing it every day; first thing in the morning, and the last before I sleep.

Especially whenever he looked at me as if I was the most desirable woman. His gaze alone was one of the best compliment that boosted my confidence — a little.

"Silly, you. I wouldn't have seduced you if your odor ever bothered me." Still smirking, Sam cast me in a knowing tone.

He then guided the hand he pulled towards his shoulder. That same hand of his then ran down my spine as it carefully untied my bodice. His eyes never left my gaze despite that his hand was busy.

"Do I have to do it again to make you remember?" He raised a brow, licking his lower lip, ready for his meal.

"Uh…" My throat felt parched as my bodice loosened. We're in someone else's stronghold… was it alright to do it?

Well, we had made love in the Remington's manor. But this castle, though. It gave a feeling of a… church.

"I'm here, but your mind is flying elsewhere. Not good." Taking notice of my distraction, Sam snapped his tongue as he inched closer.

His breath instantly wafted my nose. When his lips were an inch closer to mine, I felt him smirk.

"What are you thinking?" Instead of kissing me, Sam teasingly traced my jaw by the apex of his nose.

His hot breaths made me feel all tingly as it transferred heat to my body. My skin secretly demanded for his lips. And he knew that.

That's why he was purposely holding back.

"Hmm?" He hummed, snapping me back to my senses.

"The — the king."

No, Lilou. That's not what I wanted to say, but my words escaped from my lips before I could stop them.

If the atmosphere between us was like the peak of the summer moments ago, my answer invited winter to come early. Sam slowly drew his head back, his eyes sharp and intimidating. The wrinkle on the side of his lips due to smirking faded.

"What did you say?" He asked, coldly.

I nearly froze to death upon hearing his words. I've never heard Sam sound so cold. He's blunt most of the time, but he always had ways with words.

Was he angry…?

"I —" My tongue rolled back as I heard his teeth grinding. His jaw clenching as he locked gazes with mine.

He was definitely angry.

"You're thinking about the king?" Sam inquired, stressing his words. "While you're with me?"

"Do you want me to think about him when I'm not… with you?"

Stupid mouth! I bit my tongue as I immediately covered my lips with both my palms.

"Haha… Lilove." Sam chuckled, but one could tell how dangerous that chuckle sounded.

"What should I do with you?" He whispered as his gaze dropped and scanned me.

"I'm so angry I don't know what to do with it. Oh, my love… I wanted to burn Cunningham so, so, bad."

Bloodlust flickered across his dangerous crimson eyes. I felt his grip around my waist tightened, gritting his teeth as his fangs made themselves known.

He's panting for air.

I won't lie. This side of him... the anger and jealousy combined into one frightened me.

Why was he so mad about, though? I knew Sam was possessive, but this anger was on a different level. Was it because it involved the king?

Fear slowly crept into my heart, sending shivers throughout my body. Deep down, I knew Sam meant what he said.

If I let him be, I'm afraid he'd run amok in Cunningham. The people in here were already pitiful. Even though I didn't have a good impression of them, I didn't want to trouble them just because of my stupid mouth.

Slowly, Sam let me go as he took a step back.

"Rest, Lilou. I'll run outside to clear my mind."

Without waiting for me, he turned around and walked directly towards the window. Did he mean he would run, as in run amok? To clear his mind?

But aside from my worry about this city, I hated the aura I'm sensing from his departing back. Without thinking twice, I hopped towards him.

Immediately, my arms wrapped around his waist. "Don't go. My thoughts had been killing me before you showed up from that window."

Fortunately, Sam stopped. I felt his back stiffened.

I rested the side of my head on his back. I linked my hands together, locking him so if he jumped from that window, I'd be dragged along with him.

"I won't lie about thinking about the king. However, that's just because what I knew about him just reminds me of you. I would always think of people, things, places, and memories that remind me of you." I whispered and pressed my body against his back.

"So, don't go and stay with me."