Chapter 57

(Lisa's POV)

Valin's house was a good size, with beautiful dark hardwood floors and a dark green grand piano in the corner of the living room. All the furniture was brown or white, and above the fireplace hung a massive painting. The space under the stairs was a built-in bookshelf—crammed full of books, obviously.

"Where did you get that painting?" I asked in awe.

All the details were painted in shades of green and white, but the image was a whole city: families, animals, buildings, even a park and lake. I could imagine it taking months to complete.

"I painted it..." Valin admitted.

"You?... You paint?" He scratched his head.

"Well... when I started getting into math, I discovered its connection to nature and art. I wanted to learn more—so I picked up some hobbies along the way."

"You... you're so talented. Is there anything you can't do?"

It was meant as a compliment, but my words made him look a little sad.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, instinctively touching his cheek to comfort him.

He caught my hand and kissed my palm."Nothing I want to talk about right now..."

Still holding my hand, he led me to the stairs."Come on—I want to show you the upstairs."

"Wait! What about the piano?" I asked, trailing after him.

"I planned to show you that in the morning."Planned? I thought coming here was a last-minute decision…

"This is the bathroom," he said, opening a door and flipping on the light.

It revealed a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and a tub big enough for four people. There were two sinks, black tile, gray marble countertops, and gold hardware. Even the toilet was black and gold to match. All the towels I could see were white. Once I had a good look, he turned off the light and pulled me one room over.

"And this is my room."

The bed was king-sized. There was a computer desk, a white armchair in the far corner, and built-in shelves in every other corner of the wall—each one full of books, no space in sight. A door led to the balcony, but the curtains were drawn.

"Wow..."

Valin kicked off his shoes and flopped down on the bed. I did the same—leaving my purse at his desk and lying down beside him.

"I knew you liked to read... but I had no idea your collection was this big."

"I've always been the black sheep of my family," he said quietly. "So I kept to myself and collected books. Even now, me and my brothers are closer... but—"

He was slipping into that sad spiral again, so I sat up and looked down at him.

"Why were you the black sheep?"

He laughed, thankfully.

"Because I'm weird. I'm introverted and hardheaded. I have outbursts. The truth is, I can control myself... but sometimes I don't want to. I feel like the 'me' that's screaming is the real me. So if people don't like that—then they don't like me."

"At everyone? …You've never screamed at me."

He grinned, locking eyes with me. I had to look away.

"You're not 'everyone.' You're special to me." He placed his hand over mine, and my heart started racing. "When you called me cute for the first time, I wanted to cuss at you."

I gasped.

"But... I'm glad I didn't. And I wouldn't do it now."

"Do you not like being called cute? If it makes you feel better, you're my type. Actually—I didn't have a type before you. You're the standard now."

Valin sat up and touched my chin, turning my face toward his as he kissed me gently.

"I'm used to people calling me cute in a patronizing way. That's all."

"Oh... yeah... that makes sense," I mumbled, flustered.

"Lisa... I really like you."Part of me wished he'd said love—but it's too early for that. My last boyfriend scared me off by saying it too soon. Valin and I haven't even been together a quarter as long...

"I lo—like! Like you, too." I cleared my throat.

When he touches me, I feel like I'm in a trance, drawn in by his sweet scent, overcome by one need: to be as close to him as possible.

"I know well enough now... you weren't patronizing me. I—never mind."

I gasped and shook him."No! Finish what you were saying! No cliffhangers allowed!"

He laughed, then pinned me down on the bed by my wrists.

"Stop," he commanded.

I held my breath.

He chuckled. "I didn't mean stop breathing, silly." Then he kissed me again.

Since my arms weren't free, I stroked his leg with mine and moaned into his mouth to show I wanted more. He blushed and buried his face in my neck.

"I'm scared of you," he whispered, releasing my wrists in favor of holding my hips.

I slipped my hands under his shirt and onto his back. I wondered what he meant by that, but instead of asking, I said softly,

"Um… what about unpacking?"

"It can wait," he replied.

"Oh... then I hope I'm not assuming too much by thinking that… um... you want to... let me learn more about your preferences tonight… your, uh… sexual preferences," I muttered nervously.

Valin sat up, smirking, then leaned in and rested his forehead against mine.

"You're not assuming anything. But I should warn you—I'm a strict teacher."

I was already excited—he'd barely touched me—and now I felt like I might explode from anticipation.

"...I want to learn. I hope this doesn't turn you off... and please stop me if it does," I said, rambling a bit.

He closed his eyes and asked softly,"What is it?"

"...I… I can't see myself with anyone else. So I want to be the kind of partner who keeps you satisfied in all aspects of life. So... don't hold back. Be as strict as you want. Please."

After my confession, he opened his eyes and sat up slightly, looking down at me.

"That's practically a love confession."

I wanted to hide under the covers, but his next actions stopped me: soft kisses that deepened into something more intense, leading to vigorous, guided intimacy. Hearing his voice throughout—praising me, directing me—made everything feel ten times more intense. Especially when he said things like "Good girl," "You're doing great," or "Just like that."

We started on the bed, partially clothed. Then the armchair. Then his desk. We ended up on the floor, both completely nude. It felt like we'd never stop—but eventually, we had to. I fell asleep tucked against him in bed, still dreaming of him and everything we did.

When I opened my eyes and looked up at him, I immediately blushed. That dream... still felt too real. My lovey-dovey trance died down a little when I noticed he was texting Snowe. I peeked at the message—it was just a math-related dad joke—and then he sent, "Can we talk later?" before putting the phone down and turning toward me.

"Hey... how are you feeling?" Valin asked, lifting the covers and placing his hand on my hip.

"I'm fine!" I squeaked, blushing again. "...You and Snowe are really close, huh?"He was texting her last time too…

"Yeah... I'm glad you're doing much better than last time," Valin replied, gently massaging my shoulders.

I pouted."...Are you ignoring my question?"

"Hmm... She's my sister. Technically, she's also my best friend. She was the first person who insisted on spending time with me, even after I acted crazy in public and guilted her into dressing up with me."

His tone was honest, casual, and still, I felt a flicker of jealousy. But he did say she was practically his sister-in-law. And I like Snowe. I should relax...

"I'm sorry... It's just, even yesterday, you two got along so well. I know I shouldn't be jealous. I just... want to be close to you, too," I admitted reluctantly.

His hand slid from my hip to my bottom, and he pressed his body gently against mine. I squealed in surprise and buried my face in his chest.

"I have no interest in incest... and I also have no interest in losing you."As he said this, his hand shifted to the center of my back, and he sighed.

So Valin really does think of her as his blood sister... which makes sense if his brothers aren't related by blood either. And... I'm important to him. That thought relieved me, and I hugged his shoulders tightly.

"Do you want to go out for breakfast or order in?" he asked.

"I... I can make breakfast!" I offered.

"I haven't bought any groceries yet," Valin muttered.

I laughed."Then let's order in. But... I'm not hungry right now."

I kissed him, then straddled him again. He held my waist, gently coaching me on my rhythm and movement.

The way he praised me—"Good girl," "You're doing great," "Just like that"—made me blush so hard I had to keep my eyes closed just to continue. My heart is under attack.

After we climaxed, Valin put his hand behind my head and pulled me down for a kiss. When our lips finally parted, I lost myself and whispered:

"I love you."

His eyes widened. Then he rolled me onto my back, picked up his phone, and said:

"...I'll order breakfast now." He left and the door clicked shut behind him. I stared at the ceiling, still naked, the sheets clinging to sweat and shame.

I was too exhausted to follow him... but I knew.

It was too soon.

When he said, "That's practically a love confession," I thought a real one wouldn't bother him.But I really screwed up.