Chapter 196 Cannot be compared
Stephan’s frown deepened. “Why?”
“Because...” Alana bit her lip. Should she tell him about her complicated background?
But if she told him, would he accept her as she was?
After a moment’s hesitation, she still couldn’t bring herself to say it.
It took courage to reveal those searing scars from the past to the man she loves.
So she said, “These days, most young women aren’t really interested in getting married. Because in many people’s eyes, marriage is a grave, a prison...not a very pleasant place.”
Stephan chuckled, “How do you know that marrying me would be a grave or a cage, rather than a wonderful beginning?”
Alana felt a pang of guilt. “I... I’m just not sure. Besides, I think when two people love each other, simply being together is a form of happiness. Why force it into the confines of marriage? I think it’s enough that we’re together like this.”
Stephan looked at Alana, intently.
She seemed very resistant to marriage.
Not everyone was resistant to marriage.
Like him before, he hadn’t met a woman he truly liked, so naturally he’d instinctively resisted marriage.
But once he met her, things were different. Dating was just the beginning; eventually, it leads to marriage.
He wasn’t the kind of man who just wanted to take advantage of women.
As he dated her, it was naturally with the intention of marriage. He wanted to take things further with her, build a new family together, get married, and have children...
Dating was one stage, and marriage was another; the two cannot be compared.
In a man’s eyes, when he meets a girl he likes, the ultimate goal was to marry her and make her his wife in good standing.
But simply dating involves too many uncertainties.
What if, during the relationship, some scumbag steals her away? It was safer to marry her and add her to his household registry.
He raised his hand and gently pinched her soft cheek, saying softly, “Lana, if you don’t want to marry me, it must be because I’m not doing enough right now. It’s okay. Once we’ve spent more time together, you’ll naturally want to marry me.”
Alana froze, looking at the man before her with a touch of emotion, her eyes glistening with tears.
Clearly, it was her own fault, yet he took the blame upon himself. In what way had he fallen short? Many men weren’t nearly as self-aware as he was.
“Stephan, you’re such a good man.”
Really, he was truly kind.
It was she who was flawed, who wasn’t good enough. So it wasn’t his fault, it was hers.
Stephan curved his lips, cupped her cheeks, and said earnestly, “If you think I’m good, then marry me right away.”
After a brief pause, he leaned in slightly, his thin lips gently brushing against her fair
earlobe, his voice low and husky.
“I want to call you... my wife...my dear wife...my sweet wife...” Alana’s ears turned red at a visible speed.
Especially that phrase, “My dear wife” it sent a tingling sensation straight to her bones, striking a chord deep within her heart, leaving her feeling utterly overwhelmed with sweetness.
No one had told her that being called “my dear wife” by the man she loved would make her heart flutter like this.
She really couldn’t take it anymore. Blushing, she said, “Stephan, it’s time to go back and cook.”
Stephan gazed at the girl’s rosy, alluring little face. He let out a low chuckle and continued to tease her, “As you wish, my dear wife.”
Alana’s heart fluttered again, and she said shyly, “Stephan, don’t call me that!”
The man chuckled, brazenly replying, “I’ll be calling you that sooner or later anyway. Who knows? Maybe if I call you that sooner, you’ll become my wife sooner?”
“Stephan!”
“What’s wrong, my dear wife?”
“Don’t call me that anymore!”
“I’m going to keep calling you, my dear wife, my dear wife...” The deep, magnetic sound of “My dear wife” made Alana’s whole body burn with heat, and her heart fluttered with excitement.
She couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to cover his bold lips. But before she could touch him, he swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips firmly against hers.
He kissed her until her legs went weak, then cupped her delicate chin and asked calmly, “My dear wife, did you enjoy that kiss from your husband?”
Alana was swooned.
He was so damn sexy.
************
The two of them returned to the apartment together, Stephan took off his suit jacket and placed it on the sofa, then promptly carried the vegetables and meat into the kitchen, ready to show off his culinary skills.
Alana went to help him out. To be honest, she really enjoyed cooking with Stephan in the kitchen, it felt down-to-earth and cozy.
Plus, this was their own private world, just the two of them, with no one to disturb them. Cooking together is actually a special kind of romance for couples.
Throughout the process, their interactions were constant, and their bond grew closer and deeper without them even realizing it.
For instance, he would hold out an apron, gesturing for her to tie it for him.
Alana took the blue apron he handed her. “Hold out your arms.”
Stephan smiled, teasing her on purpose, “Do you want me to take off my shirt and go shirtless while you tie it?”
Alana’s cheeks flushed. “Stop fooling around. We’re cooking, be serious. Who cooks without clothes on?!”
Stephan raised an eyebrow. “Is that a fact, or have you just never seen it?”
Stephan gazed at the girl’s tempting little face, which had flushed red again, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “I’ve heard that women really like it when their men cook without clothes on, just wearing an apron. It makes them look especially turned on in the kitchen. Want me to give you a taste of that?”
Alana blushed and protested, “Who...who said that? I don’t like it at all.”
Stephan laughed. “Just try it, and you’ll know whether you like it or not.”
Alana’s almond-shaped eyes widened in mock anger as she scolded him, “Stephan, are you going to put on that apron or not?”
She pretended to turn and walk out. Stephan quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
Seeing her puffed-up cheeks, he chuckled and poked her cheek with his finger. “I’ll put it on. I was just teasing you, you innocent little bunny!”
This man was getting more and more mischievous. After they finished cooking and eating dinner together, they went back to their room to rest.
To prevent this mischievous big bad wolf of a man from taking a shower with her again, Alana quickly locked herself in the bathroom as soon as they got back to the room.
Stephan chuckled.
Trying to keep him out?
After all, he’d already seen and explored every inch of her.
After her shower, Alana emerged with her hair dripping wet, wearing a pristine white nightgown that gave her a clean and gentle aura.
Stephan had showered in the next room and was wearing a black silk pajama set.
The pajamas were a deep V-neck style, leaving his collarbone and sexy, toned pectorals fully exposed.
Even his abs were faintly visible. Alana couldn’t help but blush. It was late at night, why was he dressed so revealingly and provocatively? Who was he trying to tempt?
When Stephan saw her, her unbrushed black hair hung wetly across her chest, leaving a slight damp mark.
He immediately beckoned to her, “Come here, I’ll blow-dry your hair.”
Alana said, “No need, I can do it myself.”
Stephan paid no heed to her, stepping forward to take her small hand and leading her to sit on the bed.
He pinched her cheek gently, his tone firm yet tender.
“Sit still. Don’t deprive me of the right to take care of my girlfriend.”
Alana pursed her lips and didn’t refuse any further. The man went to the drawer, took out a hair dryer, plugged it in, and then came back to blow-dry Alana’s hair.
The heat from the hair dryer wasn’t too intense; as it blew over Alana’s head, it felt warm and incredibly comfortable.
Stephan sat there quietly, drying her hair without saying a word.