It's fucking awkward between us.

After he kissed me...

And may I add, I kissed him back too...

He just started to walk away without saying anything and I had no option but to follow him. An awkward silence enveloping us.

My lips were still tingly from the kiss and I could still taste his lips upon mine causing me to lick them every minute.

He walked infront of me, his shoulders looked tensed and I hated the silence between us.

But I sighed softly knowing there's nothing I can do to make it better so I just followed him.

At night, when we had set up our tents and retired to sleep. Even though we agreed to sleep closer every night, but I laid as far as I could from him, with my back towards him. I didn't even bother to ask him to share the blanket with me and just curled up in a ball and closed my eyes.

A minute later, I felt warmth engulf me as the blanket was pulled over me and Rafe's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling my back into his chest, his face nuzzling in my neck making my heart skip a beat.

My eyes opened and I started to shift away from him but he tightened his grip around my waist; his lips brushing against my neck. "This is what we agreed on. Stop moving away." His voice still sounded cold.

I didn't reply and just stilled in his hold.

Being exhausted, I was about to sleep soon and somewhere in between, I felt him pressing a kiss to the top of my head but I fell asleep before I could think much of it.

.

.

.

I woke up to find Rafe sleeping on his stomach, his face buried in my neck, his arm wrapped around my body while my arm was around his shoulder.

If only I could wake up to him like this for the rest of my life.

If only...

I gently ran my fingers through his hair that felt so silky and smooth between my fingers.

He suddenly started to groan making me retract my fingers instantly. He slowly removed his face from my neck and lifted his head coming face to face with me.

I held back my breath as he stared at me intensely, our faces close to each other and for a second his eyes dropped down to my mouth before he cleared his throat lightly and pushed himself off me.

"Get ready soon, we have to leave." He spoke again in that cold tone making me almost cry at that.

Why is he being so cold to me? He's the one to kiss me...I didn't even do anything.

Rafe! Why are you doing this to me?!

.

.

.

We once again started our journey in an awkward silence which was becoming unbearable with every passing minute.

And I had enough...I was going to confront him.

I took long strides and walking past him, stood infront of him blocking his way and he stopped, looking at me with a neutral expression.

"Rafe, stop giving me this silent treatment! Why are you so angry with me? Please stop it!" I finally said it.

He looked away from me. "We don't have much time to waste."

I stepped closer to him and shoved his chest. "What did I even do? You have to atleast tell me. It's... it's... hurting..."

His eyes snapped upto me and he stepped closer. "You think the prank you pulled yesterday was funny, huh?"

"You are angry about that?"

"Yes! I thought you were dead, you gave me a goddamn heart attack! I thought I lost you!"

"Rafe... there's nothing to be angry about that..." Being stupid, I tried to make him understand.

His jaw clenched. "I can't afford to lose you."

I patted his chest nonchalantly. "Even without me...you can complete the mission. I know you are capable of it."

His eyes bore into mine, an unreadable emotion flashed across his face. "Everything is not about the mission, Leona." His tone was harsh.

I shook my head. "I don't get it, Rafe. There is nothing to be so angry of. You can do the mission on your own...you don't need me...you--"

"Don't you get it?! You are my wife. And I don't want to lose you. It's not that hard to understand. I don't give a fuck about this mission but I don't wanna lose you. Because I would never be able to afford that price."

My eyes widened. Did he just say that he doesn't want to lose me?

He cupped both my cheeks, his features softening, his eyes searching mine. And this time, his voice was soft and sounded as if he would break down any minute. "I don't wanna lose you, Leona. I can't."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "Rafe..." I didn't know what to say.

His eyes flickered down to my lips and he whispered, "Tell me...if I kiss you again, will you kiss me back again?"

"Why don't you find it yourself." I whispered back and closed my eyes.

Hardly a second later, I felt his lips upon mine making my breath hitch.

This time he took his time to leisurely move his lips, passionately and I enjoyed every second of it, kissing him back with equal passion, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me.

When his tongue entered my mouth, I didn't fight for dominance, I let him take control as he gently caressed my mouth with his tongue.

"Leona..." He whispered huskily as he pulled back and started to place gentle kisses all over my jaw.

When he finally stopped and pulled back his head, his pupils were dilated and I was about to take a step back but he pulled me closer by grabbing my waist and hugged me tightly, resting his chin on top of my head.

Sighing softly, I hugged him back, placing my head on his chest.

"I'm sorry for being harsh earlier." He apologized, his thumb rubbing circles on my back. "I...I...am sorry to hurt you."

"It's okay, Rafe." I mumbled against his chest, smiling.

He said after a pause, "I would love to stay like this for a bit longer but we have to keep moving ahead."

"Hmm..." I slowly stepped back as his grip loosened around me.

For a second, he just stood there, gazing at me, not moving, not saying anything. I tried to read his eyes but they seemed to have a dreamy look in them which made my heart beat a little faster.

He's looking at me. With a dreamy look in his eyes.

Does he...

I was too scared to think about that. Scared to give me false hopes, so I cleared away those thoughts and snapped my fingers in front of his face. "Where are you lost, idiot?"

He looked startled. "Huh?"

"Aren't we getting late now?"

"Oh, yeah...right. Let's go." He took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers together and started to walk ahead with me beside him.

He kissed me for the second time! And thankfully, this time it wasn't awkward between us.

Biting my lips, I glanced up at him. My husband.

Just for some more time...

My mood soured instantly and a scowl formed on my face and I sighed deeply, looking away from him.

.

.

.

I sat near the edge of the river with my legs crossed together, lost in my thoughts.

I don't want to leave him. I don't want this contract to end. I don't want to be away from him. Never.

A smack on the back of my head pulled me out of my thoughts. "Ow." I looked up at Rafe who was smirking and sat down beside me.

I smacked his shoulder in return. "Why did you do that, idiot?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Just like that."

I rolled my eyes and stared ahead at the river again when he said, "I already set up the tent. We should sleep now."

I hummed in response, not looking at him.

"What happened to you?" He poked my cheek with his finger. "Already tired of everything?"

"I'm alright." I muttered dryly.

That made him scoff. "As if I would believe that. Now tell me what's wrong or else..."

I turned to look at him and raised my brow. "Or else what?"

His lips curled up in a smirk and he leaned closer, whispering huskily, "Or else, I will kiss you."

My heart skipped a beat.

He thinks I won't enjoy being kissed by him?

I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"

"It depends how you take it. Whether you tell me or not, I am going to kiss you anyway so make it fast."

Chuckling, I slapped his shoulder. "You are an idiot."

He frowned. "Oh, please. Stop calling me that."

"You are an idiot, Rafe. Admit it. And you even threatened my aunt with a knife when you were five because she refused to give you her phone."

He looked horrified by that information. "I didn't do that!"

"You did."

"How do you know that? You were not born then."

"Well, yes but my aunt told me this."

He still refused to believe that and he shook his head. "No I didn't do that."

"You did. Ask uncle Matt."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"I didn't."

"You did!"

"I didn't do that!"

"You did--"

I was cut off as he suddenly leaned closer and placed his lips over mine, silencing me.

For a moment I was shocked before I kissed him back softly and slowly and passionately, resting my palm over his cheek as I smiled against his lips.

Our lips moved in sync, his hand gently holding the back of my neck. Before I could deepen the kiss, he pulled back abruptly and rested his forehead against mine with a smile playing on his lips.

"It's getting late, we should go to sleep now." He whispered softly.

I nodded my head slowly and he pulled back and got up, pulling me up with him by grabbing my hand.

We walked to our tent beside each other and tonight, I wasn't hesitant to lay closer to him and keep my head on his chest, his arm wrapping around my waist.

Him pressing a kiss to the top of my head was the last thing I remember before I fell asleep.