Nothing to Hide

"Qing-er, you are still staring at me."

When Bai Ye's call finally snapped my mind back into functioning, I didn't know how much time had passed. The young woman was long gone. "Was my response satisfactory?" he asked.

My heart fluttered at the look in his eyes. His gaze was soft and endearing, utterly unlike the aloofness he wore a moment ago. His smile was bright and loving, and I had to admit that the young woman picked the perfect words to describe it—a smile that melts my heart like the warmest fire in the winter.

"Yes." I couldn't help touching my fingers to the corner of his lips. "I wish … that what you told her was true."

He tilted his head and planted a light kiss in my palm. "It is true in my mind. What difference do a few rituals and seals make?"