Chapter 80: I haven’t gotten my kiss yet
Anna’s eyes practically sparkled—and her stomach gave an undignified growl—at the photo Betty had just posted: a plate of golden fried chicken and steaming dumplings, the sauce glistening as if it had been staged for a food commercial. Betty and Shawn sat grinning at the food stall, soda cans clinking together in a little toast.
’Ugh.’ Anna’s chest tightened with dramatic envy. ’Why am I not there?’
She pictured herself at that table, stealing a dumpling before Shawn could notice, laughing with Betty on her birthday. Instead, she was stuck here—thanks to a certain someone who’d decided that her room was the perfect place to set up camp.
"You two have fun. Happy birthday again, Betty. Sorry I couldn’t make it," Anna typed quickly, pouting at her phone screen before hitting send. With a sigh, she tossed the phone aside and crossed her arms.
Her gaze snapped to the couch where the very reason for her absence sat—looking far too at home. Daniel, sleeves rolled to his elbows, was bent over his laptop, the soft glow of the screen tracing the sharp lines of his jaw.
"I thought you had a study for work," Anna said, her voice sharp with accusation. "Why has my room suddenly turned into your office?"
If looks could throw daggers, Daniel would have been skewered.
He looked up slowly, the faintest curve touching his lips as if her irritation amused him. Then, without missing a beat, he leaned back and stretched even more comfortably against the cushions. "This room," he said smoothly, "is far more comfortable than my study."
Anna’s lips twitched in pure disbelief. "Comfortable? Or are you just here to ruin my day?" she muttered under her breath.
If he heard her, he gave no sign. He simply returned to typing, the quiet click of keys the only sound between them.
Anna huffed and grabbed her phone again, scrolling aimlessly through photos of food—shimmering platters of fried chicken, chocolate cakes with glossy icing—anything to distract herself from the infuriating man occupying her space.
Every so often, she cast him a sideways glance, only to find him perfectly composed—like he belonged there.
Daniel on the other hand tried to focus on his spreadsheets, but his thoughts betrayed him. ’Who’s she messaging with that tiny smile?’
A sharp pang of unease instantly tightened his chest. ’Ethan?’ The name flashed through his mind like a warning light.
His eyes flicked back to Anna, lounging on the bed, a faint grin playing on her lips as she scrolled. Jealousy simmered low in his stomach, quiet but unmistakable.
Before his mind caught up, his body moved.
One moment he was on the couch; the next, his long strides carried him across the room—straight to the bed.
"Ah—what the hell is wrong with you?" Anna yelped, jerking upright as Daniel lowered himself beside her without so much as a warning. The mattress dipped under his weight, the sudden warmth of him far too close.
"This place feels better," Daniel said casually, as if claiming her bed was the most natural thing in the world. He leaned back on his palms, completely ignoring the murderous glare aimed his way.
Anna’s patience snapped like an overstretched rubber band. With a sharp scoff, she grabbed her pillow and scooted to the far edge of the bed, creating a solid gulf of space between them. She crossed her arms and shot him a look that could cut glass.
If Daniel noticed, he gave no sign. His calm, infuriating calm, only made her grind her teeth harder.
’Don’t rise to it,’ Anna, she warned herself. ’Just ignore the overgrown child until he gets bored and leaves.’
Determined to pretend he didn’t exist, she unlocked her phone and began scrolling through more food pictures—steaming dumplings, golden pastries—anything to avoid looking at him.
But Daniel had other ideas.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the small smile tugging at her lips as she swiped. His curiosity sharpened.
What’s making her smile like that? He leaned slightly, then a little more, craning his neck like a restless hawk.
"Don’t tell me you’re still hungry," he blurted before he could stop himself.
Anna’s head whipped toward him, eyes narrowing. "Do you have any problem with that?" she shot back, unsure whether to be embarrassed or annoyed at being caught drooling over food after such a heavy breakfast.
Daniel’s lips twitched but he didn’t reply, which only irritated her further.
She couldn’t believe this man—overbearing, nosy, and now silently smug. Heat flared in her chest. Before she could second-guess herself, she planted her hands against his shoulder and shoved. "Go! Sit where you were."
Daniel barely budged. At first he shifted back a fraction, but then—stubborn as a mountain—he simply settled in again, ignoring her efforts.
Anna gritted her teeth and gave him another hard push. "I said go—"
Her words cut off in a startled gasp.
In a swift motion, Daniel set his laptop aside and caught her by the waist, pulling her straight into his lap.
Anna froze, her phone clutched tight in her hand as her legs instinctively parted to balance herself. Her heart thudded wildly against her ribs.
"Daniel—w-what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice a breathless whisper. His arms wrapped securely around her waist, holding her firmly in place.
"What do you think, Anna?" His voice was low, teasing, the barest edge of a smile curving his lips. One hand traced a slow, deliberate path along her waist, the light brush of his fingers making her breath hitch.
Anna’s eyes fluttered, her grip on the phone tightening. She tried to lean back, but his gaze—dark, magnetic—held her still. Her palms landed on his shoulders for balance, the warmth of his body seeping through the thin fabric of his shirt.
Daniel’s smile deepened. "I haven’t gotten my kiss yet," he murmured, his eyes never leaving hers.
The words struck her like a jolt of lightning.
Only then did Anna remember: last night, Daniel had returned home late—long after she’d fallen asleep. He hadn’t gotten the goodnight kiss he’d been quietly demanding.
And from the look in his eyes now, he had no intention of letting her forget it.