The warmness of Rune's lips lingers on mine even when he pulled away. It was just a quick kiss but it felt so long. I was frozen and unable to move as it happened.

"What the fuck?!" I scolded, moving away from him. "How dare you kiss me!"

Rune lets out a viscous laugh. "I just can't help it. You're too irresistible tonight." He stated.

My face turns red and all the curses I want to say got stuck in my throat. I don't fucking know if I should be angry or what! "Don't do that to me again."

"Didn't you like it?" He asked, teasingly.

I did! I really did like it! That is why I am so angry at myself. I enjoyed the kiss and I am so confused. What is his reasons?

"I'm not playing games with you, Rune. I really mean, do not kiss me again." I grunted, averting my eyes.

"Weird. You're the only woman that I kissed who got angry at me." Rune wandered, surely still teasing me. And I am starting to get so annoyed now. He is not funny.

Narrowing my eyes at him and spat. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Rune Crawford, never compare me to your cheap girls because I am not one of them. And never will be."

"Of course you are." He chuckled, huskily. "You know, you can admit that you enjoyed that kiss, my lady. I'm sure you did."

Damn him.

I punched him hard on his arm as I blushed madly. I can't even deny it! What is fucking wrong with me? "Damn you!"

"Still denial?" He teased as he causes more punches from me and he just laughed even more. Seriously, he is such a sadist. He loves making me suffer because of him. And he doesn't have a clue about that, though. He just won't stop bugging me.

When the tension is finally calming down, I stared looking around the place. I can see the square from here and there are still a lot of villagers gathered there. In this view, I can see Frank and Sarah talking to some people and it seems like they are enjoying too. Yohan is also there, talking to some random blondie and it seems like they are flirting from their gestures.

"Who are you looking at?" Rune asked, following my gaze. "You want something to eat?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine over here as long as you keep your mouth zipped up and let me enjoy the silence."

A husky chuckle escaped from him. "Your wish is my command, my lady." He playfully, bowed his head and let me sit here and watch the stars above.

Your wish is my command? Damn that line. He won't even promise me that he won't kiss me anymore even if I demanded it.

"My lady..."

"Hmm?" I asked, without even looking at him.

"Lets make a deal."

"A deal?" My eyebrows touched in confusion. "For what?"

"If you badly don't want me to kiss you, then I wot until you asked me. And in exchange, I don't want you to wear anymore makeup when we are just alone at the house." Damn, he is really serious. His eyes were really contrasting mine as he held no joke within.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked, tilting my head on one side. "Why go that far and make it a deal?"

"Because I know how heavy it is for you to go out without any makeup on." He stated, his eyes roaming around my face. "And I hate it when a girl is wearing too much. You're not even going to a party or s fashion week so clean off those cosmetics on your face. You don't have to cover your beauty and hide them. Show them."

My eyebrows touched. "You don't get it. Makeup is what makes me comfortable. It gives me confident."

"And try boosting that confident without one. You don't need them anyway. You're too good to hide your real face." He battled with me.

"No." I keep on disagreeing with him.

"What is this about the makeup?" Rune grunted. "I don't believe that it is the makeups are what makes a woman beautiful. It is the confidence that adds to their appeal. So, why don't you be confident about yourself."

I scoffed hearing him say that. "Tell that to the others."

Rune laughed. "There is no reason for me to care about the others. I live to please myself and not them." He answered back, impressing me with his choice of words.

Then some mischievous thought came into my mind. "How about Jane, eh? You live to please her?"

He suddenly made a stern look. "How did Jane got into this conversation?"

"Because I mentioned it." I stated, matter of fact. "You two...you're dating?"

Rune let out a loud laugh like I said something really funny. Like totally funny. Because he just don't stop laughing.

"You're crazy, what's so funny in why I said?" I asked, unaware of what is in his mind. I am totally not joking about that!

"We are not dating, my lady. And never will." He ended it.

But my mouth agape. "You two were nearly having sex on the couch before. Don't tell me you're just some old school fuck buddy?"

Rune smirked, and chuckled deeply. "She is the one who pushed me and got on top of me, my lady. She is the one who is breaking the rules."

"Rules?"

"Yep, we have strict rules in the Royal. No sexual or love relationship is allowed. Chief emphasised that so we won't have any destruction." He answered, smirking. "Yet, she is the one who always wanted to break the rules."

A frown formed between my eyebrows. "So, are you saying that it's Jane who had some desires towards you?"

"She once confessed to me though."

My eyes widened. "She said she loves you?"

"Yep, and she wants to get out of the job and have a normal life with me." He admitted, looking down to his hand then back to mine.

I gulped for some unknown feeling. It feels like there is something pinching my chest. "And what did you tell her?"

"I can't do it." He answered, and there is coldness in his eyes as he spoke about it then he took a very deep breath. "I just don't feel the same way as she does."

"Ouch." I whined, faking a hurt expression. "Does that mean that you can't have a girlfriend?" A chanted in a teasing tone.

"I guess so." He shrugged then looked at me seriously. "Anyway, why are we having this conversation? Let's go back to the square and eat something that you will never taste outside of this village." Rune hopped off the rock and helped me got down.

Now that I feel like I've know something about Rune, I felt kind of disappointed. It seems like he is not taking life seriously. I mean, he is now allowed to date someone because of his job.

Yet, he chose this one.

There is no future in that job so why does he keeps on working there? Doesn't he want to have a family someday and settle down? Life is so short so why won't he go with the flow of and have fun. That is what I have been doing.

I wanted to do the things I wanted. Like modelling and have fun with my friends. These are things that I will never regret even if I grew up. I know there will be a time that I will look back at this moment and say that I had fun with my life. There are no regrets. I leaned and matured. Even if I got hurt in the end. As long as I didn't regret what I have done.

I feel bad for Rune. He's such a good man and he doesn't go waste it.

And why does it pained me to think that he is not allowed to have relationship with someone?

But sexual relationship? I doubt it. It is very obvious that there is something between him and Jane. He just won't admit it. He just loves his job more than to settle down.

Rune and I are eating at dumplings in this random store and my mind is still very clouded. Am I getting to attached to him? He is just my personal bodyguard.  He will disappear one day once everything is done. I'm not allowed to get concern. But fuck, why am I so drawn to him all of a sudden? I want to know him more!

He even kissed me! Even though he is not allowed to even date someone. What is that? He just wants to fool around with me then kiss me.

Damn! He is very irritating. 

I fucking can't even point what this feeling is. I'm too confused and occupied. But right now, Rune and I are eating ramen. First we ate dumplings, now we are having hot noodles!

Absent mindedly, I lifted my hand with the spoon full of the soup and put it in my mouth without even blowing it, causing me to just spit it out and causing Rune to flinch.

"Damn, my tongue got burned!" I whined, fanning my mouth. Shit. It was hot!

Rune laughed at me. "Jeez, what are you? A kid?" He retorted with a frown, bringing out his handkerchief and wipe it on the side of my lips. "You're so childish sometimes."

"Sorry, Dad." I rolled my eyes and slap his hand away but he just grunted. "Don't touch me, you prick."

"Excuse me? I'm just trying to clean your lips." He spat back. "Don't tell me you just want me to get closer to you. My, you're loves are so old fashioned, my lady."

"Damn you." I scolded, taking some forkful of the noodles before stuffing it in my mouth, and still frowning like a kid. "The ramen looks so delicious and I can't help but to dig in."

"Yep, still a childish reason." He continued to tease as I blush in embarrassment. I am letting myself down just because I'm getting uncomfortable around him like this when we are alone.

Especially now that we kissed for the second time.

Jeez, I just can't help but feel the shivers as I remember the kiss. It just happened that my pride is getting too me first so I pushed him away and told him to stop it. It is really inappropriate thing to do.

But there is one thing he proved tonight. That he is not leaving me and I'm safe as long as I am with him. He will have me protected even if the Black Phoenix is already pointing a gun at his head or a dynamite is ready to explode in his mouth. He will always be there to protect what he promised.

But, should I depend on him fully?

I don't know which one I should rely on. Everything is so difficult.

"Carmela!" Someone called me when Rune and I finished our ramen. It was Sarah.

Sarah was walking through the crowd with Yohan behind her. They were together? Rune and I exchanged looks and I guess we are thinking the same thing. They're together?

Sarah suddenly wrapped her arms around me taking me by surprise. Wait, I smell alcohol immediately. "Is she drunk?" I asked Yohan.

"Yep, she's been drinking alcohol like water." Yohan said, with a stern look. "And she is sticking to me like a caterpillar."

"And you like it anyway, Yohan." Rune playfully remarks earning a glare from his friend. "Why don't you take her home?"

"She doesn't want."

"Let's dance, Carmela!" Sarah suddenly stared dragging me away from the others and took some somewhere where there is this huge dance floor and a musical band playing. There are couples who are dancing playfully and happily.

Margaret and his husband is also there dancing. And I can't help but find it very cute old couple they make.

Love can be very visible and age is enough stop it.

"Come on, let's dance!" Sarah pulled me from the crowd, excitedly and took me to the center.

"Shit, Sarah! It is better if you go home now." I told her but she didn't even listen to what I said. She was pulling me by the hand, twirling around and sways her life and she's just having fun while I just stand there in front of her, looking around.

I don't know if I should dance or not. All of a sudden, Sarah is holding two shot glass and gave one to me as she drinks it straightaway.  Woah, this woman is a heavy drinker! I can't believe this is the Sarah that I am working with everyday!

"Come on, drink it." She insisted me and continued dancing.

Without any choice, I drunk whatever alcohol is in that glass and danced with Sarah. Well, this is a fun and free night so nothing is wrong if I dance with her. Some of the villagers are cheering for us and Sarah loves the attention. She was laughing and twirling like a woman who never danced in her whole life.

"Are you sure you don't want to go home?" I asked her.

And she shook her head. "No! I am not going home tonight without kissing Yohan!"

Oh wow, an honest declaration out of nowhere.

"And I just can't believe I said that!" She cheerfully followed up and shakes her body. "I don't care, let's just dance!" She grab my had and continued dancing.

Seriously, I am having fun dancing with a drunk woman. I've been in drunk so many times before with my friends and this is a whole lot a different scenario but it is also fun.

But I am more concern about Sarah. She is really going to regret all the things she said and done when she gained back to herself tomorrow morning when she wakes up.

"You are the best, Carmela. The best." She just started muttering and enveloping me to a hug.

I just laughed at her drunk state. I bet she is going to regret her actions once she got her senses back.

Sarah is a very beautiful woman, I must say and I don't know why she is hiding herself in those baggy clothes most of the time. I mean, she's sexy and she had this appeal that can easily attract any guy if she just give them the chance to know her. And she's very helpful at the Inn too. I can say that she thinks really loves and cares for her Dad.

We were dancing like maniac when the tune of the song suddenly changes into something slow and smooth.

And the colorful lights of the stage turns softer as well. Some of couples who were dancing earlier rested as they left the center dance floor but some stayed and starting slow dancing.

Shit. This is a couple's moment. We should get out.

"Come on." I was going to pull her away when two guys came to us. And it was just Rune and Yohan.

"Time to take you away, missy." Yohan took Sarah from me while Rune pulled my hand away before I could protest as he took me back to the center.

Is he thinking right? He wants us to dance? My eyebrows arched, confusedly at the thought but he just remained calm as he placed his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Mine was stuck at the midway of his arms and the questioning look is still in my face. "Should we be doing this?" I asked him, awkwardly.

"Why? You don't want to?" The mischief look on him.

"It's not like that though..." Looking down, I roam my eyes at the people who are watching us. They are all seems to be suspicious of who I am. "Everyone is looking."

Rune let out a soft and husky chuckle as he leaned to my ear and whispered. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about, my lady. You're gorgeous tonight."

My blood rushes to my face as he whispered those words. His hot breath fanned my earlobe adding to the sensation that triggers my shivers and goosebumps. Damn.

I can see the jealousy in other woman's eyes as they watch us dance. I know they are one of the admirers of Rune in this village. They are the people who were watching him as he works at the farm too. "Those woman are glaring at me." I signalled them with my head.

Rune just scoffed. "Don't mind them, my lady. They are nothing."

I laughed at his reaction. "You're so cold."

"Only for them, there is no reason for me to be nice to those women, my lady. And besides, my attention is only for you." He told me, his piercing eyes locks to mine as he said those words.

Inhaling deeply, I just calmed myself down because my heart is beating erratically and it is very disturbing. Taking everything in, I tried to be comfortable and relax in his arms. My hand snaked their way up to his neck as I raised my chin to look at him directly in the eyes. And once our eyes met, they just locked together. I can't bring myself to look away. He is too near and too handsome.

And I can't control my thoughts anymore.

A small smile appears in his lips, probably noticing that I am becoming comfortable with our position. "You really are the most beautiful lady that I ever seen, my lady." He whispered, all of a sudden. "How I could just...." he stopped what he is about to say.

"What?"

Rune shook his head. "...No." He mumbled then smiled at me. "I just want to tell you that...I'm happy to be with you again, Jasmine."

My eyes widen as my heart quickens his beat when I heard that. Fuck. But before I could totally say whither word, he placed his lips back into mine. Savouring the taste.

I think my heart is going to burst.

To be continued.

I really man sorry for the late update, guys. I am trying my best to write as much as I can. But I've been just very busy. So thank you for the patience.