Kiss Me Not

"Are you alright?" Brione asked worriedly, seeing Cedric\'s expression. Cedric immediately clasped their hands together and smiled.

"Ah, it\'s nothing. Let\'s go… This is the western part of Perdu island, we can tour inside the forest," Cedric said and quickly brushed off the confusing flash in his head.

It was probably a part of his lost memory. His doctor had already informed him that he would regain his memory in bits and pieces. He wondered whose hand it was that he was waiting for?

Brione looked at the high stone barricade covered with creepers and bushes, hiding something. She was suddenly curious to know what was on the other side that it needed such high wall.

"I wanted to conserve this part of the island and protect it. I built a stone barricade around it so that wild animals would not be able to come out and roam the area when there are people around. I do not allow guests or tourists entering this area since this is my private sanctuary," Cedric explained.

"Uhm… Wait… You mean to say that there are wild animals inside right? So it should not be safe for us to go inside too," Brione murmured with a gulp. She loved animals and was excited at the thought of seeing wildlife and all, but it was not to the point of putting herself in danger.

Cedric started chuckling at her words so she turned to him and pouted.

"Don\'t worry sweetheart. Do you really think I will put you in danger? There is security inside and people who are experts in taking care of the forest and the wildlife inside. Also, don\'t worry because there was no rogue animal noted so it\'s safe," Cedric reassured.

Brion was not even slightly convinced so she narrowed her eyes at Cedric.

"Your highness, Blaze is ready…" an old man said as he approached them with a black horse with striking features.

"Such a handsome horse!" Brione gasped.

"Of course, just fitting for our breathtakingly handsome Prince," the old man said with a warm smile.

Cedric chuckled and said, "This is Peter and he takes care of my horse Blaze. Peter, this is my fiance Brione Yu."

\'Fiance?\' Brione looked at Cedric in disbelief, her mouth agape. \'Is he for real? Now I\'m his fiance?\'

Cedric chose to ignore her questioning eyes as he talked to his horse Blaze.

Cedric touched his horse and caressed it lovingly.

"Hello, Miss Brione. It\'s nice to meet you," Peter greeted and Brione extended his hand for a handshake but Cedric suddenly grabbed her hand and said, "Let\'s go for a ride while the weather is still good."

Peter scratched his head sensing the possessiveness of their Prince.

"Wait, but why is there only one horse?" she asked with a frown. She knew how to ride a horse because she had trained for it while doing an action movie.

"I know you can ride a horse but I will still not risk it since you do not know the whole area. It will be safer if we ride together…" Cedric said, trying to hide a mischievous smile.

Brione arched her brow and murmured, "We can just walk around you know…"

"You hurt your knee so it will be uncomfortable for you, besides, it\'s also very tiring and you will not enjoy sightseeing if you feel tired…" Cedric justified before he moved and lifted Brione up to put her on the horse. Soon he followed and sat behind her.

"I feel bad for Blaze. He has to carry both of our weights…" Brione unconsciously whispered.

Peter chuckled and said, "Don\'t worry Miss Brione. Blaze is a strong horse and can carry even more weight."

Cedric signaled Peter to open the gate. Cedric reigned the horse and Brione was caught off guard so she had leaned her back to Cedric who instantly wrapped one of his arms around her waist.

"I have to hold you and secure you like this so you won\'t fall. I hope you don\'t mind?" Cedric whispered in Brione\'s ear, making her heart skip a beat because of their closeness.

Why did she feel like this shameless Prince was trying to seduce her?

\'And don\'t tell me you are getting seduced so easily because of such simple actions?\' her inner self condoned. Brione pressed her lips and justified, \'What if he is Cedric and my body is just reacting how it would to the man I love?\'

\'But what if you are wrong and he is not Gavin?\' another voice in her head-butted in.

She gasped when the horse stopped in front of the guards posted on either side of the barricade that was covered with curtain-like creepers. Suddenly the stone wall moved sideways to give them a way inside.

"So there\'s a gate made of stone with a secret path behind it?" she whispered seeing the stone move.

"Yes, sweetheart…\'

Brione flinched, feeling his warm breath fanned her ear.

"Can we maintain some distance when no one is around?" she mumbled with a twitched mouth. She was about to add more but the wildly rugged tropical evergreen forest before her eyes stopped her from talking.

"Wow!! It\'s so beautiful…" she whispered in great adoration. She could hear the chirping of the birds and even see some deers running on the side and monkeys on the trees climbing.

"Bri… I hate distance so I\'m sorry if I won\'t be able to stay away from you as you requested," Cedric whispered and leaned even closer, smelling Brione\'s hair. Yeah, his island was very beautiful, but in his eyes, no one could compare to his Brione.

Brione ignored him since she was not in the mood to argue with him. She chose to enjoy the great view in front of her eyes. She grabbed her mobile phone and captured every single moment on the camera. She also took a selfie and was startled to see Cedric smiling, with his chin resting on her shoulder and his cheek touching hers.

"Smile Bri," Cedric whispered and then added shamelessly, "Or do you prefer to take a picture of me kissing your cheek?"