"Do you think I'm in the mood to joke around?" she glared at him.
"Those fiery eyes only make me melt," he said evenly. "But I'm not giving anything away unless I get what I want."
"Fine. Just a kiss, right?" She leaned in and dropped a quick peck on his lips. Pulling back, she added, "Now answer my questions."
He smiled, slow and knowing.
"First—the deal was a kiss for an answer, dear. Two questions means you owe me two kisses."
"And second…" his gaze lingered on her, "that wasn't a kiss. Didn't I teach you better last time?"
"A kiss is when both people forget how to breathe."
"Just answer the damn question, Zain," she snapped, frustration sharp in her voice.
Unbothered, Zain said nothing. He only pointed at his lips.
"Fine!" Lara hissed.
She leaned in and kissed him—no hesitation this time. Zain didn't waste a second. He pulled her onto his lap, her legs falling on either side of him as his hands settled firmly at her waist.
The kiss deepened, turning reckless. Breath mingled with breath, mouths moving like they were fighting for control. Lara's fingers tangled in his hair, her grip tightening as if grounding herself. Zain held her closer, refusing to let the moment slip away.
For a second, they both forgot why this started.
Lara pulled back first, chest rising and falling as she forced herself to think. Zain leaned forward instinctively, wanting more.
Still breathing hard, she steadied herself. "Answer my first question," she said. "It was you, right? Why were you there?"
Zain's hand tightened at her waist. He looked straight into her eyes—no teasing now, no smirk.
"Yes," he said quietly. "It was me."
He paused. "I had a job. Assigned to me.
"His thumb brushed her side. "Protecting you. And I'm doing it."
Her brows knit together. "Why are you protecting me?"
A familiar glint returned to his eyes.
"That," he said softly, "comes with the next question, sweetheart."
She followed his gaze to his lips, annoyed—and dangerously tempted.
This interrogation, she realized, wasn't going the way she planned.
Still unsure who was winning, Lara leaned in again. She kept it brief—just enough to leave him breathless—then pulled back.
"Now answer."
Zain exhaled.
"The pendant you saw… it belonged to my cousin. Lisa."
The name hit Lara hard.
Lisa.
She had been in the army. Stationed in City A. She used to visit Lara and her family often as Lisa was Adam's niece. Lara had always looked up to her—wanted to be brave like her when she grew up. And Lisa had adored her just as much.
Memories rushed back.
There had been a time when Ben—Lara's father—and several other powerful financial figures were kidnapped for political reasons and taken to City B. Lisa had been pulled back into active duty to handle the case.
That was when she grew close to Zain.
The mission had been a success. Lisa saved Ben. She helped rescue the others.
But she didn't come back.
Lisa lost her life while protecting them—while saving Ben and the others.
Lara's throat tightened as the weight of it settled in.