Chapter 26

Kitty pouted her lips and glanced at Mori, who sat leisurely, his expression alight with amusement. He tilted his head, observing her with a kind of twisted pride, before tugging her closer with a measured firmness.

She resisted, pushing weakly against him. "No, no... no more. I can't anymore," she murmured, her tone wavering between frustration and exhaustion.

Mori, however, seemed disinterested in pressing further. His hand, cool and deliberate, brushed through her hair. He tucked a stray strand behind her ear with deceptive tenderness, his voice low and husky. "My dear Kitty," he began, leaning in to plant a lingering kiss on the curve of her neck.

Kitty grimaced, her expression laced with both irritation and defiance. "Don't you think you're a bit too old for activities like this?"

Her words drew a chuckle from him—a deep, rumbling sound that was more predatory than amused. Mori's fingers trailed to her face, poking her cheek affectionately as though to downplay her resistance. Yet, there was an edge in his eyes—a glint of ownership that sent a chill down her spine.

"You've always been so mouthy," Mori said, almost to himself. His gaze traveled down her body, pausing at the faint marks blooming on her skin. A smug smile curved his lips as if her appearance was a testament to his control. "Look at you. My handiwork."

Kitty shifted away slightly, rolling onto her side, but Mori's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against him. The weight of his body pressed into hers, his sweat-dampened skin hot against her back.

Resting his chin on her shoulder, he murmured, "I want to do it again."

"No," Kitty replied firmly, though her voice betrayed a flicker of fear.

Mori didn't let go. Instead, he lifted her hand, studying the ring adorning her finger. His thumb traced the gemstone with almost hypnotic precision. "Your hands used to smell like cheap coffee beans," he mused. "Now they smell of lavender—and everything else that's mine. Expensive. That's what you are."

Kitty closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. "Really? Then I'd like a favor, honey," she said, her tone deceptively sweet as she pressed her hand against his.

"A favor?" Mori's brows lifted. "What kind of favor?"

"I want money."

His laugh was cold, laced with mockery. "Money? For what? You already have the best of everything—dresses, jewelry, food. What could you possibly need?"

Kitty met his gaze with a sly smile. "There are plenty of things a girl needs," she replied smoothly. "And I want it for personal reasons."

Mori tilted his head, studying her with an unreadable expression. "Asking for favors to a man in bed," he muttered, a smirk curling his lips. "Clever. Aren't you?"

"Your wish is my command," Kitty quipped, her smile widening as she gently touched his face, feigning affection.

Mori watched her intently for a moment before nodding, satisfied, though a trace of suspicion lingered in his gaze.

Meanwhile, Kitty's thoughts were a flurry of determination. Unbeknownst to him, she had been quietly stockpiling every scrap of money she could manage—her own special fund for the future. She'd play the part, charm him when necessary, but this wasn't her endgame.

She had plans. And Mori would never see them coming.