My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 144: Payment

Chapter 144: Payment

He couldn’t believe this woman.

So she wanted things to be legal first? She wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing—that was why she had asked him if he was single and even suggested they date.

All of this... just because she wanted to relieve her anger by kissing him? Not because she liked him or anything?

This girl was really something. She kept catching him off guard.

Rylan watched her carefully, his gaze unwavering. He had met confident women before, but Rose was in a category of her own.

"I do that when I’m annoyed. You don’t have to worry—you’re the third guy I’ve done this to. I usually only do it to the second one."

Rylan could hardly believe what she was saying. The confidence she had was unbelievable.

"The second one?" he echoed, his brows furrowing slightly.

Rose merely shrugged, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

"What are we cooking?" she asked, shifting the conversation without hesitation.

Rylan remained silent, studying her expression. She was telling the truth—he could see it in the way her eyes no longer held that guarded look. Her usual demeanor had returned, casual yet playful.

She had no idea what kind of effect she had on him.

"Hello, are you there?" Rose waved a hand in front of his face, her tone almost sarcastic.

His jaw tightened.

"Or are you still thinking about the kiss?" She smirked. "Don’t overthink it—you’ll get used to it. Now that we’re dating, anytime I’m annoyed, I’ll kiss you hard. I know it might be new to you, but this girlfriend of yours will make it easy."

She spoke so confidently, so casually, as if they’d been together for years.

Rylan finally let out a slow exhale. This woman was going to drive him insane.

"So, what should I take now?" she asked, her voice light, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.

He immediately straightened, pushing the thoughts away.

"We’ll start with the basics," he replied. "Let’s make ramen."

Rose nodded, her enthusiasm shining through.

"Get the carrots and vegetables," he added. "We’re also making chicken salad."

Excited, she walked over to the fridge, opening it and scanning its contents.

Cooking had always seemed boring to her, but for some unknown reason, today felt different.

Meanwhile, Rylan, though outwardly composed, was still in shock.

Whoa.

She had thrown him completely off balance.

"Is it only carrots and the veggies?" she asked, turning to face him.

He shook his head slightly, snapping out of his thoughts.

"No. Also cucumber, chicken, and cream."

Rose nodded, taking them out one by one and placing them neatly on the clear counter. Once she was done, she looked at him expectantly.

"What’s next?"

Rylan stared at her for a moment, his thoughts still tangled up in what she had said earlier.

She was so eager, waiting for his answer, while he was the only one still thinking deeply about the kiss.

He ran a hand through his hair.

"That’s all. Your work here is done. I’ll handle the rest, so go—"

Rose interrupted immediately.

"No, babe. I want to cook too. Pretty please?"

Rylan stilled.

Babe.

She had said it so effortlessly.

Not to mention the way she was now batting her eyes, puffing out her cheeks, her lower lip jutting forward slightly.

Damn it.

He sighed.

"Fine. Let’s wash them."

Rose finally smiled and nodded.

Rylan turned on the tap, letting the cool water run as he reached for the vegetables. Rose stood beside him, watching closely, her excitement barely contained.

"Here," he handed her a carrot. "Rinse it properly."

She took it and did as instructed, her movements careful, as if she were handling something delicate.

Rylan couldn’t help but chuckle.

"You’re acting like it’s your first time washing vegetables."

Rose huffed, flicking a few water droplets at him.

"It’s not! I just don’t want to mess up."

He shook his head, amused.

"You can’t mess up washing vegetables."

She pouted.

"Well, excuse me for being extra careful. I don’t cook often."

They continued in silence, the only sound being the running water and the occasional clinking of utensils.

After a while, Rylan spoke.

"So, you seriously do that?"

Rose turned to him, surprised that he was still thinking about it.

Then she realized he was still stuck on what she had said earlier.

"Yeah, I did it. Though with the second guy... I did it because I was so annoyed," she admitted, glancing away briefly.

Rylan said nothing, letting her continue.

"I think I had fought with someone who spoke very badly about Naomi," she went on, her voice quieter now. "I didn’t want to cause a scene by fighting. Instead, I insulted her so deeply, yet I still didn’t feel satisfied. So, when I met him—his name is Jack—in the corridor, I just told him, ’Let’s kiss.’ And we did."

She paused, her fingers absentmindedly running over the cool surface of the counter.

"Ever since then, I kept meeting him, calling him into my space... just kissing. Yes. We never went further than that. That was the limit."

Silence stretched between them.

Before she knew it, Rylan was already in front of her.

Her breath hitched.

He tilted her chin up, his fingers firm yet gentle, forcing her to look at him.

His voice was low, possessive.

"I should be the last person you ever do that with."

Rose’s heart thudded in her chest at the intensity of his words.

Her lips parted slightly.

"I—" she stammered. "You won’t—I won’t do it with anyone else. We’re... we’re dating now. Except if we break—"

Before she could finish her sentence, something suddenly pressed against her lips.

A piece of vegetable.

She blinked in surprise.

Rylan’s voice followed.

"Eat it."

Startled, Rose chewed instinctively, her tongue flicking against the food as she mumbled, "It is... good?"

But the truth was, Rylan had done it on purpose—he didn’t want her to finish what she was about to say.

And it seemed even she hadn’t realized it yet.

Before she knew it, he spoke again, his voice calm yet firm.

"I’ll do the rest. All you need to do is watch."

Then, he pulled up his sleeve, revealing his veiny, muscular arms.

Rose’s breath hitched slightly.

She swallowed, watching as he moved with precision. His hands worked effortlessly, cutting the vegetables with practiced ease.

Her lips parted, then closed, admiration creeping into her voice.

"Wow, babe... you’re good."

For a brief moment, his hands stilled at her words, but then he resumed preparing the food, his movements smooth and practiced.

Rose couldn’t look away.

She was completely captivated—by the effortless way he worked, by the quiet focus in his expression, and by the undeniable ease with which he handled everything.

Once he had left the food to simmer, he turned toward her, picking up a towel to wipe his hands. A teasing smirk curved his lips as he met her gaze.

"What should I do with you?" he mused, shaking his head. "You’ve burned not just one pot, not two, not three, or even four. Honestly, I’ve lost count at this point."

His gaze darkened with playful mischief.

"So, I’m thinking... you need to pay."

Rose’s eyes widened.

Immediately, she wrapped her arms around him, pressing herself close as she tilted her head up.

"Babe, please... please."

She pouted, her fingers gently tugging at his shirt, her voice turning sweet and persuasive. Then, with a flutter of her lashes, she murmured, "Why don’t you... pay for me instead? We’re dating now, and it wouldn’t be proper for the girlfriend to be the one making payments, right?"

The moment the words left her lips, realization hit her.

Not only had she just tried to escape trouble, but she had also somehow flipped the situation in her favor.

Smart girl.

Rylan’s gaze flickered with something unreadable as he stared at her in silence.

Then, before she could react, he pulled her close.

His lips crashed against hers, stealing the breath right from her lungs.

His tongue teased its way into her mouth, guiding her movements, coaxing her to match his rhythm. His kiss was possessive, claiming every part of her in a way that made her toes curl.

Her body melted against him, instinctively responding to his heat, his touch, the way he made her feel like she was the only thing that mattered.

By the time he pulled away, they were both breathless.

Their eyes locked, the air between them charged with something intense and unspoken.

"Is this how you take it, sweetheart?" His voice was deep, husky.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin.

"Let’s go."

Before she could even process his words, his hands slipped under her shirt, fingertips grazing the bare skin of her waist.

Rose’s breath hitched.

Her heart pounded as she stared at him, wide-eyed.

"Let me touch you," Rylan whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine.