IMDD CHAPTER 36 [NOVEL] (Patreon)
Content
“It rang twice before I turned it off. I swear.” Gage claimed quickly when he saw how she pursed her lips, as though not believing that he had done so. “You didn’t wake up so…” he shrugged at the obvious.
She caught her lips between her teeth at his explanation. She knew she was tired as hell yesterday. So it was possible that she could not wake up at the sound of her alarm.
“You should’ve woken me up then..” She muttered, still unhappy that she ended up sleeping in his bed.
“Why should I, hmm, Eva? You want me to kick a tired little kitten off my bed? True, I don’t claim to be a saint. But I wouldn’t go to the point of doing that. Especially when it’s you.”
Why did he had to add those last four words?! Now she was getting all flustered and blushing like a schoolgirl again. Damn this man and his sweet mouth! She needed to stay strong and focussed! She must not allow herself to fall for those words.
“Waking someone up is not the same as kicking someone out from bed, Mr. Acheron.” She somehow managed to retort, despite the heat that was suffusing her face.
“It’s pretty much the same thing to me, Eva. Waking you up means I’m kicking you off my bed.” He responded lightly.
Eva could only sigh and then shut her eyes before drawing in a deep breath. There was no use arguing with this sly devil. She just knew she could never win against him! He would always have the last say! It was always something that would either make her jaw drop or make her face flush beet red if she tried to retort or one-up him. She rolled her eyes and thought back on all their interactions up till now. So far, never once have she succeeded.
“Fine, fine! Whatever you say. Just let go off me now.” she surrendered with a sigh.
“Ah, how cold you’re treating me, darling. After you have used me so selfishly like I’m your personal human pillow and heater all night, this is how you’re going to get rid of me?”
“W-what? What the hell are you saying?! P-please stop making up stories like that –” Eva stuttered and panicked a little.
“Gage Acheron does not make up stories, Eva. I guess… the next time, I should probably take a photo for evidence purposes.” Gage muttered to himself, but Eva heard every single word loud and clear.
She could only blush to her roots again. She knew that she loves hugging pillows when sleeping in bed. And that was why she had multiple bolsters at home. A girl could never have too many bolsters!
“There won’t be a next time, Mr. Acheron. Now please let go.” Eva insisted on that, swearing to herself that she must be more vigilant and not allow something like this to ever happen again! Never!
However, he did not move. Eva sighed heavily, thinking to herself at how demanding this man is behaving.
“Fine. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Eva apologised as though she was the one in the wrong. Honestly, she did not get why was she considered the wrong party. But she knew she needed to give in if she ever wanted to get out of his bed and get started on her day today.
“I don’t want a verbal apology. I want compensation, Eva. There should always be a give and take in exchanges to be fair, don’t you think?” Gage bargained.
The look in his eyes as he said those words had her heart skipping a bit. My god! This man truly was bad for her health! Can he not just give her a break? Dealing with him was so... And the day had barely started!
“And no. I won’t be accepting another punch in the lips this time.” He stated his precondition when he caught her eyes darting to his lips, causing her face to burn even hotter.
“Then what do you want?” she asked a little aggressively, mortified that he caught her thoughts on just brushing it off with a kiss – a kiss that he termed it as a punch. She grumbled internally, telling herself that her kisses definitely were not that bad, to be considered as a punch. She kissed relatively well, okay?!
“A minute long kiss from you would be enough.” He said in a generous manner, as though he was giving her a discount.
“Five seconds.” She negotiated assertively. A minute long kiss with this man was nothing but plain bad news to her. She would rather work overtime than do a minute-long kiss with this man! She had learned her lesson already!
“Not a chance Eva.” He disagreed easily.
“Ten seconds.” She bargained again.
“You can’t possibly think I would be okay with that. You have gained hours on me. All I’m asking for is a measly minute. Is that really too much to ask?”
“Fine, thirty seconds.” Eva mumbled out unwillingly.
He bit his lower lip. Then he closed his eyes, making as though he had not heard her. “Alright. I guess you still need more time to think about it. I’ll sleep for thirty more minutes.”
“Fine! Oh my god!! Gage you’re –” Eva choked up at how agitated she was. There was no way she would win when haggling with this man! He was worse than a fishwife!!
He immediately rose, shocking her at how quick he moved. And damn him for looking gorgeous even with his messy hair.
“Now then –” he bent over when she stopped him, placing her palms against his broad and solid chest.
“Wa-wait a moment!” she raised her voice as she pushed at him. “I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet!” her cheeks flushed again as she thought of how they were supposed to kiss without brushing. That was just too...
Before he could say a word, she frantically climbed off the bed. As though she was running away from a lion chasing after her.
Sighing, Gage combed his fingers through his hair. “I’ll collect my kiss later then, darling.” He said charitably, letting her go for now. Then got up and headed off to his bathroom, leaving Eva stunned for a second.
Her relief at narrowly escaping this dangerous situation was palpable. She stood there rubbing her face with her palms as she yelled within herself.
‘Oh, my goodness! What the hell is wrong with him?! Why was he doing this to her?’