Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 56

Goodnight Kiss
This is so ironic. True to her words this afternoon, | did let her into my room in no time at all...
The moment | heard the door of Reiner’s room close behind us, | felt a little safer as if whoever that was chasing me wouldn't reach me here. | knew
deep down that there was absolutely no one and nothing chasing me in this mansion, but my fear wouldn't subside. My head was still throbbing, and |
focused all of my energy to control my irregular breathing. | leaned my body on Reiner as my legs gave out and he supported me as we slowly slid
together to the floor. | hate how I'm feeling right now, and | hate that he has to see me like this. I’m always showing him my worst and never my best.
| was still unable to stop the sobs that were wrecking my body as | hugged Reiner tighter to me, my nails digging into his back. | closed my eyes and
focus on steadying my breathing as | inhaled Reiner’s calming scent. It reminded me that | was not alone, Reiner was with me. Reiner hugged me
tighter as he continued to stroke my hair and then my back. He’s so warm and comforting. | want to be in his arms like this forever.
“Natalia...can you get up?” Reiner whispered softly in a calm voice into my ear after a while has passed.
| shook my head in reply, not trusting the sound of my own voice and my ability to speak.
“Can you put your arms around my neck?” Reiner asked softly. | slowly moved my arm upwards a little so that my arms were around his neck.
| felt his arm under my knees and around my back before my body was lifted princess-style into his strong arms. How he carried me seemed so
effortless and yet he handled me with such care as he slowly walked towards his bed. | felt the softness of the pillow behind my head and the touch
of the bed on my body as he slowly laid me down. I'm sleeping in Reiner’s bed, | thought to myself, as he pulled his blanket over me. | closed my eyes
and inhaled his scent; this bed smells like him. It feels so safe and so warm.
His footsteps were silent as always, so | felt rather than heard him walking away.
“R... where are you going?” | spoke up in a panic. The panic must have been clear in my voice because Reiner was right next to me in the next moment.
“Sorry, | was just going to wet a towel to clean your face...” Reiner replied softly as he placed a hand on my head to calm me down.
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“Can you...stay with me forever? Can you never leave?” I asked softly. My voice cracked as I continued to sob. I know I need to
stop crying but I couldn’t.
He brought one of my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. His lips were soft and warm, but in the end, he never replied to my
question.
“Do you want to get some sleep? Or do you want me to listen to your troubles?” Reiner asked after I had somewhat composed
myself.
“I want to tell you what happened...or at least, what happened in my head,” I replied. I decided to tell him.
“No need to rush yourself. Just take it slow,” Reiner replied softly as he squeezed my hand for support. He was sitting on the
floor and I started to feel bad that I took his bed.
“Before that...can you hold me? Please?” I pleaded in a small voice. I don’t want Reiner sitting on the floor next to the bed; I
want him in bed with me.
“Natalia...” Reiner sighed and began to protest. He didn’t make any move to get in bed with me. I knew he wouldn’t give in so
easily.
“Fine. I’m so sorry for bothering you,” I said as I turned my body away to sleep on my side with my back to him. I was
surprised at the hurt in my voice. I don’t blame him for not wanting to get in bed with me. No matter how you look at it,
cuddling with me in bed isn’t his responsibility as my butler.
I’m definitely not in the sexiest state right now and the situation is far from being a turn on. So, unlike our previous tryst at the
lake, I could understand why he wasn’t in the mood. If I continue to be a mess like this, he'll tire of me soon too. My head was
still in so much pain, I should probably just let myself black out and sleep.
The room was silent and dark, but the atmosphere was abnormally tense. I closed my eyes and willed myself to fall asleep.
After a short while, I felt the spring of the bed creak as Reiner slowly got in the bed with me. I felt his warm presence against
my back and then his warm arms around me, cuddling me close. I felt tears in my eyes again; however, this time from relief
and joy rather than fear and sadness. I started to feel a little better as I felt the warmth from his body all along mine. He was
hugging me tightly and the whole length of our bodies were touching. I feel like I fit so snuggly with him.
“Are you asleep?” he whispered ever so softly in my ear.
‘Not yet. Thank you...for fulfilling my selfish request,” I replied in a whisper as well. “Umm...I had that bad dream again but this
time it was a little different. Usually, I just dreamt that I was lost, and I couldn’t find the way out until a mysterious someone
saved me. However, this time, in my dream I knew quite clearly that someone or a group of people were chasing me. They
were after me and they wanted to harm me...” I explained before my voice trailed off as I recalled the fear I felt during that
nightmare.
Reiner listened intently before squeezing me a little tighter in his arms.
He kissed my hair softly and then my ear. It felt so calming for him to touch and kiss me like this. My fear started to melt away
and so did the pain in my head and temples. I wish my night here with Reiner would go on forever. I didn’t want to wake up to
face reality once more when dawn arrives. Although, he didn’t offer any words to comfort me, his actions were more than
enough.
*“R, can you give me a goodnight kiss?” I asked shyly as I rolled my body around so that I was face-to-face with Reiner.
Although we've done more...sexual...things, I still felt very conscious and shy around Reiner. His responses to my approach was
also inconsistent, making it hard for me to guess what he really wants or thinks. Plus, he almost never came on to me first.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Reiner lowered his head to give me a gentle kiss on my forehead. Well, that was sweet but
not exactly what I had in mind. Sensing my slight disappointment, Reiner cupped my face in his large and warm hands before
placing his warmer lips on mine. I let out a slight sigh. This kiss feels so right and so natural.
“You need to sleep now, Natalia,” Reiner ordered as our lips parted.
This man can be so bossy, I thought to myself as I snuggled closer against his chest. I fell asleep listening to his regular
heartbeat...
--To be continued...