53. Who manipulates better?

"My mate." King Xavier repeated. His face was scrunched off as if he were in pain and he was taking shallow breaths in quick pace. He took a step closer while his left hand, cupping her face, tightened and the other hand snaked around her neck to hold it from back.

Ariana stood still doing nothing. Neither returning his advances nor rejecting it. Just staring back into his eyes, which was in very close proximity.

Xavier pleaded with his eyes for her to respond. When she still didn't, he said, "My whole being is saturated with greed for your acceptance, Ariana."

Ariana kept looking at him with an indecipherable face. A gust of wind caused her hair to flutter over her face. She combed it with her fingers and tucked it behind her ear. Then all of a sudden, she pushed him off her forcefully and freed herself from his hold.