It was tempting, but I wasn't sure of my limits with him. Still, Ren was giving me his biggest innocent kitty look. We still had another day before floor four started.
"Fine, but you are sleeping on the floor."
"What? Why?"
"Take it or leave it."
He kept pouting. From my base to the intermission zone, till a smart ass grin was on his face. My eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"You ruined my blanket, remember Fern?"
I slapped him upside the head before guilt hit me.
'Back in the rat labyrinth...'
An unsatisfied groan made him grin again. He hopped on my bed without even asking, rolling around. His eyes begged me to join him. One of his hands patted the bed.
"Fine."
I glared at him very pointedly while I went under the covers. Half expecting Ren to try something, I stayed near the edge.
"Night, Baby." He flipped over to face the wall. Staying on his side of the bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Going to sleep." He pulled the blanket over his head, not even looking my way once.
'This guy was all over me early, and now he's ignoring me?!'
Simmering like a steam bun, I waited, and waited. Nothing. I soon heard his heartbeat slow, he fell asleep. It hurt my pride.
"Tsk."
Sliding over to his side, I poked his back. No response. I blew on his ear, not even a twitch. Frustrated, I kicked behind his knee, but nothing happened. Feeling defeated, I observed his sculpted back. I tested little by little. A hand on his back, petting his hair, and gently leaning my head against him. My body didn't scream. It was a faint remnant of my lifelong repulsion. Goosebumps trailed along my skin. Ren was dangerous. My lips twitched. I rubbed my head side to side against him. This was the first person I could be close to. My hands grasped at his clothes, desperate but still wary of contact. I whispered.
"If you ever cheat on me. I'll kill you."
The man in front of me trembled and let out a quiet laugh. He rolled over and wrapped his arms around me before I could process. My squirming was a longtime habit, but I gave up quickly.
"I love you too." He was all too pleased with himself. Faking his sleep.
"I didn't say that."
"I've mastered Fern translation."
"Shut up." I hide my embarrassment. I shoved my face flush against his chest. 'He's so warm.'
"Sweet dreams, baby." He pulls back to kiss the top of my head before pressing me against him.
The two of us fell asleep like that.
The morning was a bit much for my recovering brain. Ren had at some point taken off his shirt, leaving me waking up to his pecs. Trying to crawl away, he pulled me against him, breathing in my scent.
"I'm hungry. Let go." He shoved his face right near my throat. His tongue triggered my flight or flight response. I punched him in the face.
"Ow! I get it. Food. Feed Fern First!" He ran off and rubbed at his poor nose. I should feel guilty, but a rather satisfied smirk meant I was rather proud of myself.
"Maybe this body isn't so bad."
We ate on the intermission couch. Ren kept a respectful distance. My growing sense of control gave me a little too much confidence with him.
"Hey, Ren?" I grinned at him mischievously. He raised an eyebrow.
Scooting over, I leaned in close. He gulped down saliva, waiting for a kiss. I snatched his fruit and moved back. Emphasizing my slow devouring of the blueish berry. Content, I was about to eat the last of my food, but my plate was snatched up. I protested, but the cat had pushed me down. Our lips locked. His tongue probing my insides. Tiny growls showing his authority. He starts lowering his hands down my sides towards...
He suddenly pulled back to finish his breakfast. Casually eating like nothing just happened. My heart was pounding and my face was bright red. Tiny fists started hitting Ren's side. He just grinned as he took his last bite.
"You shouldn't mess with a cat's food, Artemis." His eyes showed a rather primal instinct that left me avoiding eye contact.
I showered and then went on to do exercises. There was nothing to do in the intermission zone other than sleep. We spent the day talking about my previous life. At the mention of my previous husband, Ren got rather quiet. He was hesitant about his own life story but shared pieces. He was an orphan raised by an assassin guild. He died at the hands of one of his students in his older years, but not before he became the guild master. My intent skill said there was no deceit. Still, it was obvious he was hiding important things.
"So did you have any... partners? Spouses? Lovers?"
"None worth mentioning."
"..." I glared at him, unsatisfied. "Yeah, but were you married or something?"
"If you really want to know. It was expected to have heirs as guild master."
"Shut up."
"You asked." Ren rubbed his cheek against mine. "But they don't hold a candle to my Artemis. Besides, I had to use workarounds anyway."
"Workarounds?"
"I'm very gay."
"So you never touched them?"
"Nope. I just..." He got close to whisper in my ear. "Got hot and heavy all alone."
Heat flushed my face. I shoved him away. That ended the past life conversation.
We kept talking to pass the time. Favorite foods, pet peeves, and such. Till the system interrupted us.
'WARNING: Floor 4 will begin in 8 hours!'
'Floor details will be given 10 minutes before the start of the floor!'
That was our cue to get some shut-eye. The system was a useful alarm clock.
"Floor 4: Capture the rival party's flag for 24 hours!"
"This is a party mission. Those without a party will be matched up with random sinners!"
"Good luck!"