Xavier guided her gently to the couch, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes as he settled down and stretched out his legs.
"You're going to learn how to please me in ways that don't always involve the bedroom, baby," he said with a wicked smile. "Those hands of yours could be useful… for a massage, perhaps."
Becca blinked, a little taken aback by his boldness, but she obeyed, lowering herself to massage his feet. He watched her closely, already amused by her shy, flustered expression.
Just then, a knock came on the door.
"Master Chen, breakfast is ready," Freya, the house cook, called out from the hallway before leaving.
Xavier raised a brow but said nothing. Before he could speak, Becca stood up and blurted out, "C'mon, let's go. I'm starving."
She instantly regretted her words, gulping when she realized how casually she'd spoken. Xavier tilted his head, amused by her sudden shift in tone.
Why do I feel like she's the one in charge around here? he thought, smiling inwardly.
Downstairs, Freya had laid out a delicious spread: fluffy rice with rich tomato sauce, sautéed vegetables, roasted fish, and grilled chicken. She poured wine into two elegant glasses and handed them over to the pair.
Xavier noticed Becca wasn't eating and frowned.
"Something wrong?"
"Uh… I just remembered, eating too many carbs during your period can cause cramps," she said carefully, noticing his brows crease in concern. "But hey, at least there's protein to balance it out," she added with a small smile before picking up her fork.
It's been a while since I had food this fresh and healthy, she thought, savoring the warm blend of flavors. She added more vegetables and fish to her plate, her appetite quickly returning.
Xavier chuckled as he watched her.
"Slow down or you'll choke," he said, amused. Her cheeks puffed slightly with rice, and a few grains tumbled onto the table.
Embarrassed, she swallowed hard and looked away, her face turning red.
"You're something else," Xavier laughed, watching her with a mixture of fascination and affection.
She licked her lips absentmindedly, and something in that simple motion made Xavier's breath hitch. Without thinking, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers in a sudden, heated kiss. The taste of tomato sauce still lingered on her mouth, and it made the moment even more intoxicating.
He deepened the kiss before scooping her up and carrying her into the adjoining playroom, gently closing the door behind them. The moment was intense, yet he remained mindful—aware of her condition and choosing to hold back.
He trailed his fingers along her arms and admired her soft, curvy figure with open appreciation.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, bending to press a kiss to her shoulder.
She whimpered at the contact, caught between surprise and sensation.
When he took her hand and guided it toward him, she immediately hesitated, her face burning with embarrassment.
"You've never done this before, have you?" he asked softly.
Becca shook her head, clearly flustered.
"You're shy," he said, his voice gentler now, almost teasing. He guided her hand once more, helping her navigate the moment slowly while distracting her with soft kisses. She tried to focus, but the awkwardness didn't fade.
"Look at me," he whispered, lifting her chin with his thumb. "There's nothing to be afraid of."
She looked up at him but couldn't bring herself to glance down. When she finally did, her eyes widened slightly, and she gasped, quickly looking away.
Xavier grinned, clearly entertained.
"What?" he asked with mock irritation. "You don't like what you see?"
Becca coughed, blushing furiously. "It's nothing…"
"Nothing?" he repeated, laughing now. "You sure you're not impressed?"
"Stop teasing me," she murmured, clearly overwhelmed.
Xavier leaned back, clearly enjoying every second of her reactions. But beneath all the humor, he noticed her hesitation—the way her body stiffened, the unspoken fear in her eyes.
He paused, letting the moment simmer in silence.
She wasn't ready. And surprisingly, he found himself okay with that.