Gavin halted midway up the stairs, his thoughts shifting. Instead of continuing upstairs, he turned around, walked back to the living room, and sprawled out on the sofa, his posture casual yet commanding. He stretched his arms lazily and glanced at Liza. “Since you care so much about me, how about joining me in the shower? That way, even if I slip, I’ll have someone to catch me.” Liza froze, completely at a loss for words. What is this man thinking? Seeing her stunned expression, Gavin seemed unfazed. He reached out to grab a cigarette from the table. Just as he was about to light it, Liza stepped forward hurriedly. “Shall I light it for you?” she offered. Gavin paused, his fingers still holding the cigarette, and raised a brow. After a moment, he casually tossed the lighter to her. “Go ahead.” Liza caught the lighter and stepped closer, only to realize that this simple act might not be so simple after all. Gavin was sprawled across the sofa, taking up an excessive amount of space. With his cigarette resting between his lips, he exuded a lazy, untouchable aura—a blend of confidence and rebellion that made him seem almost untamable. Her heart raced. From her position, she would have to lean dangerously close to his chest to light the cigarette. But Gavin was tall, with long legs stretched out before him, making it even harder to maintain her balance. She hesitated, second-guessing her decision. Why did I even offer to do this? It’s just a cigarette—he could have lit it himself. But then she remembered why she needed Gavin's cooperation tonight. Determined, she gritted her teeth and leaned forward. It’s just lighting a cigarette—how hard can it be? With that resolve, Liza pressed the lighter and carefully brought the small flame closer to the cigarette. Her gaze was focused, her actions deliberate. The soft glow of the flame illuminated her features, making her eyes appear bright and intense. Her lips were slightly pursed in concentration, giving her an unintentionally alluring expression.Gavin’s gaze darkened slightly, and his Adam’s apple moved almost imperceptibly. After a moment of meticulous effort, Liza finally managed to light the cigarette. She exhaled in relief and straightened up. “Done,” she announced with a hint of pride. Gavin took a slow drag, his eyes narrowing slightly as they met hers. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Mrs. Stone, you’re unusually thoughtful today. What’s the occasion?” Liza blinked, then quickly scrambled for an excuse. “I’m just showing my gratitude for you taking me to the Reed Family’s banquet earlier. You did such a big favor for me, and all I did was light a cigarette for you. That hardly seems fair.” She paused, then added with feigned innocence, “How about I kiss you to make up for it?” Gavin exhaled a puff of smoke, his gaze lingering on her. Through the hazy cloud, he studied her expression, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. A bitter amusement flickered in his heart. So, his suspicions were correct—this was all about her desire to taste food.He leaned back slightly, his tone unreadable. “So, it’s true. That’s why you’re being so attentive tonight—you need my help to recover your taste buds.” Though he had already guessed her intentions, hearing her confirm it left a strange, bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn’t help but wonder, If it wasn’t me, would she treat another man the same way if he could do the same thing for her? The more Gavin thought about the situation, the more irritated he became. Finally, he leaned back on the sofa, his expression unreadable. “Alright,” he said slowly, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. “I quite like the idea of Mrs. Stone’s reward.” Liza’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? You’re agreeing?” He nodded with an air of nonchalance, and her heart raced like a drum. She closed her eyes, slowly leaning toward him, her mind swimming with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. Maybe I’ve misunderstood him. Gavin isn’t so bad after all. He’s reasonable and not the scumbag I thought he was. As she inched closer, the gap between them shrank to almost nothing. Just as her lips hovered mere inches away, Liza opened her eyes slightly, her long lashes trembling. Her every move radiated nervous anticipation, her vulnerability striking a chord that made one’s heart ache—or, perhaps, itch. Gavin’s voice was low and gravelly, carrying a teasing edge. “Mrs. Stone, are you really that eager to kiss me?” But Liza was too caught up in her excitement to hear him clearly. All she could focus on was the goal ahead—a kiss that would grant her the opportunity to savor that Michelin-level feast she had been dreaming of. Her thoughts were wholly consumed by the taste of indulgent food. Just as their lips were about to meet, Gavin suddenly leaned back, pulling away from her at the last moment. Liza froze, her eyes widening in confusion. “What?!” Gavin turned his face to the side, refusing to meet her gaze. “I don’t think this is such a good idea anymore,” he said lazily, his tone almost playful. “If you really want to kiss me, maybe we should wait until we’re back in the bedroom. Doesn’t that sound better?” Liza sat there, dumbfounded, before her expression twisted into a pout. It was as though her every effort had been for nothing—taking his jacket, lighting his cigarette… All of it seemed pointless now. She looked at him accusingly. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? You’re playing with me!” Gavin’s lips twitched at her childish outburst, clearly amused by her rare display of petulance. He tapped his fingers rhythmically against his knee, appearing deep in thought. After a moment, he said, “You really want to kiss me, don’t you? Hmm… I suppose it’s not impossible.” Liza narrowed her eyes, instantly wary. This man always had some ulterior motive. She waited cautiously, trying to figure out what other outrageous condition he might throw her way. Gavin leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear as he spoke in a low voice. “Come with me to visit the Stone Family in a few days,” he said. “They’ve been pressuring me to settle down—marriage, a loving wife, the whole package. You know what I mean, don’t you?” Liza blinked, piecing together his implication. He wants me to pretend to be the perfect, doting wife in front of his family.