Chapter 42

▫️ Stella's pov...

I leaned down and kissed Pumpkin goodnight, her soft purrs fading as she snuggled deeper into her blanket. Smiling, I turned to Chris, ready to give him a goodnight kiss too. But as I leaned in, he stopped me, catching my lips gently between his thumb and forefinger.

"You kissed her?" he asked, his voice a mix of playful disgust and disbelief. "With the same mouth? With her fur and... cat saliva still on you?"

"It's not like that!" I defended, but before I could say more, he grabbed a tissue and started wiping my mouth like I was a child.

"Hold still," he muttered, completely focused on his task.

I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculous or not, I’m not kissing you until we’re sure there’s no cat residue." He smirked, tossing the tissue aside.

Finally, satisfied, he cupped my face, pulling me close for a proper goodnight kiss. Warm, soft, and just the way I liked it.

We drifted to sleep after that, his arms securely wrapped around me.

The next morning, just like every other perfect start to the day, I woke up and headed for the shower. Chris had already woken and showered before me, leaving the bathroom slightly steamy and smelling faintly of his cologne.

As I stepped under the warm spray, I found myself smiling again. Even his quirks — especially moments like last night — made life with him feel beautifully chaotic.

After my shower, I came out of the bathroom feeling fresh and relaxed. But then I stopped. Chris was sitting casually on the bed like he owned the place (which he technically did), but the kitten? Nowhere to be found.

I frowned. “Where’s Pumpkin?”

Chris looked at me, smirking like the devil himself. “Not telling.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why not?”

His smirk widened, and he shrugged. “Because you’ve been giving all your attention to that fur ball instead of me. If you want her location, kiss me.”

I blinked. “That’s your master plan? Blackmail me with the kitten for a kiss?”

“Yup.” He leaned back, completely unbothered.

I scoffed. “This trick isn’t going to work on me, Knight.” With that, I stormed out of the room. I checked everywhere—hallways, the living room, even the kitchen. Nothing. I was calling her name like a lunatic, but the little traitor didn’t show up.

Frustrated, I stomped back to the room and crossed my arms. “Okay, where is she?”

Chris pouted.  A grown man with a face like that—it should be illegal.

“Stop being childish,” I said, rolling my eyes.

He just raised an eyebrow. I sighed and leaned down, pecking him on the lips. “There. Now tell me.”

But, of course, Chris being Chris, didn’t stop there. The second my lips touched his, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer. Before I could process what was happening, his lips were moving against mine, slow at first, but then deeper and more intense.

I swear, this man knew how to kiss. Like, really knew. I had to mentally thank god for giving him this talent.

When we finally broke apart for air, I raised an eyebrow. “Now, will my boyfriend tell me where the kitten is?”

He smirked and pointed toward the window. “Guards took her to play with the dogs outside.”

“Oh,” I said, relaxing a little. “Let her have fun, then.”

Chris brushed his lips against my neck, his breath warm and teasing. “We could have fun too.”

I chuckled nervously. I mean, what was I even supposed to say to that? Yes let's do Sexxxuuuu.

But he wasn’t listening. He leaned in again, kissing me like his life depended on it. One hand trailed down to my waist, pulling me closer, while the other tangled in my hair. His lips moved against mine, soft and teasing at first, but then more urgent, like he couldn’t get enough.

“Open your mouth,” he murmured against my lips.

And because my brain had apparently decided to take a vacation, I did as he said. His tongue slid in, and I swear to God, the man was magic. He knew exactly what he was doing, biting my bottom lip just enough to make me gasp.

Then his lips trailed down to my neck, leaving slow, burning kisses as he went. When he sucked on a spot just below my ear, I let out a soft moan before I could stop myself.

“That’s my girl,” he muttered, smirking against my skin as if my reaction was his reward.

At some point, he left a mark on my neck—one of those purple ones every girl secretly loves because it’s like a badge of honor. Honestly, I wasn’t even mad.

But just when things were heating up and trust me, they were heating up, his phone rang. Fuck that bastard, may he rot in hell whoever called him. But thank too or else I might end up getting pregnant.

I groaned internally.

Chris pulled back, cursing under his breath.

I sat on his lap, catching my breath and trying not to look disappointed. If the call wouldn't have disturbed,  I swear we’d still be kissing or stripping.

I smirked at him. “Bad timing, huh?”

He glared at the phone like it had personally offended him. “Fucking terrible timing.”

Then he barked at the caller"What?"

And then they started talking and I started admiring him.

Just then my paranoid brain whispered. What if I'm dreaming? What if I wake up right now, and this whole thing disappears? No Christian no love.

I couldn’t just let it go. I had to check.

So, while he was busy stroking my waist and half-listening to his call, I pinched his hand. Just a little. You know, subtle.

He looked at me, his brow raising like I’d just asked him to do something ridiculous. No scream. No reaction of pain.

Oh no. This is a dream.

Before I could spiral into full panic mode, Chris smirked, his deep voice breaking my thoughts. “It’s not a dream, baby. Even if it was, I’d turn it into reality for you.”

I froze. Excuse me? Is he reading my mind now?

My heart did that stupid fluttering thing it does whenever he says something smooth, and I smiled like a lovesick idiot. Because, well, I am one. I couldn’t help myself—I hugged him right there, burying my face in his chest. My man. My man. Only mine.

The call had already ended at some point ,who cares? and Chris wrapped his arms around me, holding me like I was the most important thing in the world.

After a moment, he pulled back slightly, tilting my chin up so I’d look at him. “What do you say we go on a date?” he asked, his voice low and full of promise.

I blinked. “I wouldn’t mind.”

His lips curled into that devastating smirk that could ruin lives. “Good. Then go get ready.”

I laughed, kissing his cheek quickly before hopping up, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. Because I was. I am. And I'll always be.