Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

I stopped the car in front of my home gate. 

Bai Li asked, "I still think I should head to a hotel. I don't want to intrude on your family."

I rolled my eyes. "Just how many times have you said it already? To Dad, you are already his son, and to bro, he may not look like it, but he really likes you. So, you are already a part of the family. Stop calling it mine. Let's go."

He sighed.

We stepped inside the house.

As I kept the bags, I heard Bai Li say, "It's beautiful. It feels really warm here."

I smiled. "All thanks to Mom. She decorated it, and after her death, we all tried our best to keep everything as it is."

"En. I can see how much effort she put into this home."

He walked towards the wall where we had hung some photo frames.

"Is she…"

I stood beside him. "Yes. She is my Mom."

It was a family picture. I was three years old, and bro was seven. Dad was holding my hand, and Mom was hugging bro as we huddled together for the pic.

"I see now why you are so beautiful. You look just like her."

I blushed.

"Thank you. But I can't beat Mom."

He chuckled. "That's true, though."

"Hey!"

I showed him his room and said, "Why don't you freshen up? I will bring some snacks for you."

"Cool. By the way, I don't see Mr. Xin and Xin Zhen anywhere."

I laughed. "Dad will be crushed to hear knowing that you still call him Mr. Xin. He wants you to address him as Dad."

"Ah...well…" he scratched his head and sheepishly smiled.

I chuckled. "Anyway, Dad and Bro are at Shi Ruiling's home."

"Oh? They came out with it?"

"Yup. So, they are having further talks. There is a high possibility that we will get the good news of Bro and Shi Ruiling's marriage date."

"So, Major General will now be in-laws," he chuckled.

"Okay. Now enough talking and head for the shower already."

"Yes, Mam."

I quickly shut the door behind him and exhaled. "Phew… he didn't notice anything weird, right?"

My heart was racing at full speed, standing alone with him in the room.

'Use the time wisely.'

Ughh. No….

Dad, why did you have to say that?

I sighed.

"Arf!"

I chuckled. "There you are. I wonder where you ran off to. Oh, there is a leaf here on your fur. So, you were in the garden."

"Arf! Arf!"

Cocoa seemed really happy after playing in the garden. "Wait here. I will bring something for you too."

"Arf!" He wagged his tail.

I placed Cocoa's bowl in front of him and then headed upstairs to Bai Li's room.

Okay, don't act weird, Lei Lei! It's not the first time you are alone in a room with him.

I opened the door and didn't see him. The shower was still running. I kept the tray on the table.

Silence.

I sat on the edge of the bed. But then I got up again. 

Ah, I cannot calm down! 

I paced back and forth in the room. 

Are we really going to…?

No, no, no. Bai Li has just returned from the hospital. How can I think about it? Idiot! Stupid!

Suddenly, I crashed into a broad chest, and I froze.

I gulped.

"What were you pacing around for?" His warm voice itched my ear.

I slowly raised my head to see him half-naked in front of me. His chest was warm and moist, dripping with water droplets.

I felt my cheeks turn hotter than a fire. "You-you didn't wear anything!"

I felt a gentle force pull me towards him. Bai Li wrapped his arms around my waist and then held my chin. 

"Say... you have been acting weird since this morning. You seem to be in a daze and talking to yourself and then sometimes blushing too. What thoughts are you cooking in your mind, huh?"

Sometimes how I wish he wasn't this sharp.

"W-what? I am totally fine. You! Don't change the topic!"

"It's not like you are seeing my chest for the first time."

"..."

"So, why are you so nervous today?"

Bai Li leaned forward and smiled. "Are you thinking of doing some naughty things?"

Poof.

My brain just suddenly short-circuited. I lowered my head in embarrassment.

"Aha! So you were! No wonder you seemed so fidgety today," he laughed, "So, my girlfriend was planning on jumping on me."

I hit him on the chest. "N-No!"

"I caught you, Xin Lei," Bai Li was still laughing. "Just look at your face. It totally looks like when a thief is caught. You are guilty as charged."

Then he came closer and closer to me, brushing his cheek along mine. It tingled my skin, giving me goosebumps.

He whispered near my ear. "I would love to do some naughty things too, but I don't want to steal you on the first day when I just came to my in-law's home."

"You…"

Suddenly, I don't know where the courage came, but I gazed into his eyes. 

Since it was already out, there was no use in denying it. I tiptoed on my feet and kissed his lips.

"What if I want you to steal me?"

Bai Li tilted his head and deepened the kiss. He held my cheeks and pressed his lips harder on mine.

"Mmpf…"

I moaned and danced along with his pace. Our tongues came into play, and the kiss turned only more passionate.

He pulled away, and his black orbs seemed to shine in a misty hue.

"Is that an invitation? I should warn you. You shouldn't carelessly provoke me, my sweet girlfriend."

My heart thudded in my chest. His tone was serious yet provocative at the same time.

I smiled. "What if I provoke you? Show me then what you will do."

He narrowed his eyes. "You better not regret it. Because this time, I won't be able to stop myself."

I placed my hand on his chest and giggled. "I don't want that either."