Chapter 26: Chapter Twenty-Six: Reward

Layla clung tightly to the car seat, refusing to leave the car with Tristan. Worried about causing her any pain, he gave up trying to pull her out. Instead, he leaned down and said in a gentle, coaxing voice, "Come on out, please."

Ignoring him, Layla crossed her arms and turned her head away.

Tristan couldn't help but find her resistance adorable. With a smile, he spoke softly, "Do you want a reward?"

Surprised, Layla turned back to him, her wide eyes looking puzzled. "Huh?"

Tristan gazed at her without saying a word while extending her towards her.

His intentions were clear.

She would have a reward awaited if she decided to go with him.

But she would have nothing if she didn't.

Though Layla knew better than to trust him, she found herself giving in. She placed her hand in his and stepped out of the car. As she fidgeted with her hair, she casually asked, "So, what's the reward?"

Tristan's intense stare locked onto her as he leaned in close and softly murmured, "You're looking at it right now. It's me."

The suggestive undertone in his words was not lost on Layla.

She felt a sense of déjà vu in the familiar atmosphere.

This was a side of Tristan that Layla had seen before when he was on the bed.

He always appeared aloof and distant, as if he held himself above everyone and no one could get close to him.

But he would shed his usual aloof demeanor and reveal a passionate side in front of her, contrasting his icy exterior. They would even understand each other effortlessly with just a glance.

At that moment, she quickly understood his meaning, just like she used to.

Furious at Tristan's audacity, Layla shoved him away, finding it weird that he would suggest such things at that moment.

She then turned on her heel to storm off.

But before she could make any headway, the sound of determined footsteps approached her quickly from behind. She found herself being carried by Tristan over his shoulder.

She protested loudly, "Put me down, you jerk!"

Tristan's hearty chuckle filled the air as Layla squirmed in his arms. A gentle pat from him on her butt quickly silenced her, leaving her lying still in the strange position as he carried her towards the villa.

To Tristan, carrying her felt as easy as pie, which was why he appeared so calm and composed.

Layla recovered quickly from her initial shock, her face flushing with embarrassment. She couldn't believe he had patted her on her butt in front of the driver and Bruno. Through clenched teeth, she labeled him a pervert with a hint of anger.

In response to her accusation, Tristan sneered and leaned in close, whispering slyly in her ear, "I have even more perverted plans for you later. Are you ready for it?"

As he quickly opened the door and brought her inside, she took the opportunity to bite his shoulder. He made a muffled sound and carefully placed her on a low cabinet by the doorway.

Layla made a feeble attempt to break free, but he placed her into a position where they were face to face, her legs spread apart. They were so close to each other that she could hear his heartbeat and breath and even see the color of his eyelashes and pupils.

Feeling a flutter of nerves, Layla's voice softened as her eyes wandered to the buttons on his shirt. "Why are you looking at me?" She asked.

Tristan's gaze fixated on her captivating lips, a vision of temptation in rosy hues like ripened cherries. Despite the urge to taste and explore, he remained still, leaving her feeling a sudden dryness in her throat that made her instinctively clench her legs.

She momentarily forgot the compromising position she was in when she did that. This happened to make him realize that she was indeed aroused by him.

Blushing, Layla bit her lip as his gentle laughter filled the room.

Tristan leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek lightly, emitting a tickling warmth. "What's on your mind?" He whispered.

"Shut up!" Layla covered his eyes with a bashful grin on her face.

His eyes held a warmth that reminded her of deep oceans, radiating a love that seemed to envelop their surroundings. With just one tender look, he had the power to sway her emotions and push her towards losing control.

She puzzled over how he could gaze at her like that.

His eyes seemed to suggest that he had been eagerly awaiting this moment for a while.

Yet, they were far from being familiar with each other before the whole "contract" thing.

Layla cautioned herself against overthinking. "Why did you trick me into coming here? When did I agree to stay over at your place?"

Tristan didn't brush off her hand but instead drew closer, smiling as he said, "Kiss me."

Rather than complying, Layla pushed him away firmly. "Who gave you the authority to give me orders? I've made it clear that our relationship must remain a secret. You're being too public today, and now everyone knows there's more between us."

Tristan countered, "You pretended not to know me after sleeping with me. It hurts."

His long eyelashes fluttered gracefully with every word as he talked, causing a tingling sensation in Layla's palms.

Feeling a sense of intention behind his actions, Layla reluctantly pulled back her hand and found herself locked in a gaze with his deep, intense eyes. He spoke firmly, "If you don't want me anymore, I will have no choice but to tell the whole world that you can't handle a real relationship with me."

His words were cunning, leaving her speechless and unable to refute.

At that moment, she even doubted if the person before her was the guy who was known for his cold indifference.