[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.]

"Why did you stop, silly? I'm looking forward to it."

This time, I completely froze. Like a statue who couldn't move a muscle. He's awake?

"Even though I adjusted to sleeping at night, I'm a light sleeper. You don't know how many nights I spent just staring at you." Sam explained.

His breath caressing my upper lip. With such close distance, I should draw away, right? However, I couldn't.

It was as if he caught me red-handed. A criminal caught in the act.

My heart raced violently, as if it sought to be released from my chest. This was embarrassing, even though we had already done it.

It still felt embarrassing to be caught like this. I bit my lower lip, closing my eyes briefly in regret.

"I — I'm just…" The rest of my words drifted into his mouth.

Sam tilted his head to the side, pushing back my words with his deep whisper.

"Don't tease me like that, Lilove."

And then he took my breath away. His lips felt soft and sweet as ever.

It put the usual fear I felt whenever he came close for intimacy at rest. I slowly closed my eyes, succumbing to the soothing movements of his lips against mine.

For the past three months, I've avoided him at all costs. Not him entirely, but having a sexual tension between us.

Whenever he tried, I looked away. I always used the excuse of being tired. However, I knew he knew it was nothing but a lie.

Yet Sam never pointed it out. Instead, he'd smile and nod in understanding.

Tonight felt different. Even the whistle of the wind reached my heart.

Before I knew it, he slid his tongue inside my mouth, my tongue granted his warm welcome; like dolphins dancing gracefully between our lips. Kissing passionately like we used to.

His firm arms circled around my waist as he perked up to feel more of me.

I was happy to oblige.

Without breaking our kiss, I crawled my way on top of him. I missed him. I longed for him. I craved for him. It was driving me insane.

"Lilou." He whispered into my mouth, desperate to be heard.

His other hand cupped my jaw, biting my bottom lip. His bite was gentle, pulling it back ever so slowly.

My body shivered at the burning sensation trickling down my spine. Even with just this much, my back broke out with sweats as it set my body ablaze.

Ironic how his icy touch brought heat straight to my core.

Our kiss lasted for a long time, enough for us to pant for air, but not suffocate. Sam ran his hand through my hair, placing it on my waist once it reached the end of my chestnut strand.

I drew away, creating a palm-length distance between us. Sam looked up, meeting my gaze. Crimson met Olive.

I half-expected him to be aggressive. However, he did nothing but stare at me. I idly wondered what he was thinking, but his eyes revealed nothing. Except for the ease of a man with his beloved.

"Silly." was the first word that slipped past his lips after a long time.

Sam carefully traced my jaw with the tip of his long, slender fingers. His thumb grazed my lower lip. His eyes glinted lovingly.

The gentleness of the devil. This had been what I've known, and what I'd die for.

No doubt. This was Sam — no one else. No other man would make me feel he'd want nothing but love. So, love should what I give — not lust.

Even though I haven't recovered my entire memory that night, part of me knew I had done a grave sin. Sin to the extent I would hate myself.

I already abhor these vague feelings even without clarification. Thus, I'm afraid once my memories returned, I wouldn't be able to face him.

Now that I had these thought clearly, I realized it was not the trauma why I avoided him. It was my shame at fault.

"It's not your fault, I told you." He uttered, taking notice of my silence and thoughts revealing in my eyes.

Instinctively, I pursed my lips in a thin line. I lifted my hand and held on to his hand that was cupping my chin.

For reasons my subconscious mind knew, my grip on his hand trembled. I'm still that coward, naive, and weak Lilou. No amount of training was enough for that to change.

I've known that all along. So why… why did I feel like this now?

"Come here." Amidst my silence, Sam cupped my cheek with both his hands.

Inching close, leaving soft pecks on my face. He kissed my forehead, my eyes, the apex of my nose, my cheek, and my lips.

His kisses bore nothing but gentleness. Every time his lips touched me, it washed all the worry and doubt in my heart.

"Whatever happened that night, or whatever you've done that night, it doesn't matter to me." He whispered as he pecked on my chin. "It will never happen again."

He added. His tone was low, sounding more like a whisper. However, I felt his conviction.

Once he kissed every area of my face, I rested my forehead against his. Inhaling his breaths, brushing the tip of my nose against his nose.

Slowly, I closed my eyes as I calmed my racing heart. I cupped his jaw with both my palms. The heat within me didn't make me excited, but it felt serene.

His touches made everything felt right.

Not rush, but perfect. Not lust, but love. A story of two individuals falling for each other; not just a mere story between a vampire and a human.

"I love you, Sam." Before I knew it, words that had been stuck in my throat broke free.

I never regretted taunting him like this. Suddenly, Sam flipped me, and I found myself pinned down under him.

His gentle crimson eyes darkened dangerously. Yet there was no fear creeping in my heart. I didn't even flinch.

"I love you, Sam. Only you." I repeated, courageously. I would never mistake others as him — never again.

"You're driving me insane, Lilove." Sam let out a low growl, gritting his teeth, sucking air through it as he bent down.