Undeterred, the man slipped his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Do I look good?"

Eleanor laughed, pushing him away. "Stop messing around. Let's go run."

They stepped outside, with Princess trotting excitedly alongside them. The two jogged along the paved trail winding around the exterior of the villa complex. The late autumn morning carried a crisp chill, but the sunlight was bright and warm against their skin. A thick blanket of golden leaves coated the ground, creating a picturesque, serene atmosphere.

After a mile or two, Eleanor was exhausted. They slowed to a walk before eventually sitting down on a park bench to catch their breath. Leaning her head against lan's shoulder, Eleanor watched an elderly couple exercising a short distance away, a sudden wave of unfamiliar emotion washing over her.

lan followed her gaze to the old couple, who were now slowly walking hand-in-hand. Smiling, lan asked, "Do you think that'll be us when we're old?"

Eleanor's lips curved slightly. "Maybe."

lan suddenly reached out, taking her hand and weaving his fingers tightly through hers. "Starting today, we hold hands until we're old."

Eleanor stared down at their intertwined fingers, stunned for a moment. She looked up at the man beside her. "I haven't exactly agreed to remarry you yet."

lan's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, before a much deeper, more dangerous amusement flooded his eyes. He lifted her hand, kissing her knuckles, and demanded, "Then what exactly does Dr. Sutton want me to be?"

Eleanor looked at him, refusing to answer.

The man wasn't in a rush. He simply sat there, locking eyes with her. The morning light filtered across his face, softening the sharp, predatory angles of his jaw into something incredibly tender.

"A lover works, too," lan suddenly volunteered his own title, following it up with, "Then I'll just be your lover for the rest of my life."

Eleanor was caught off guard.

"As long as you let me stay by your side, I don't care what you call me," he added smoothly.

A chaotic mix of emotions swelled in Eleanor's chest.

Since when did this impossibly arrogant man degrade himself to such a status?

But lan's gaze suddenly sharpened, turning intensely serious and possessive. "Since I belong to Dr. Sutton now, you'd better treat me right."

Eleanor let out a speechless laugh. "You're a free man. No one is keeping you trapped here."

lan raised an eyebrow, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Dr. Sutton, that's incredibly inaccurate."

Eleanor frowned. What was inaccurate about that?

lan leaned in close, dropping his voice to a scandalous whisper. "Who was the one plinging to me in bed refusing to let go. Who was begging me not to stop-"

Eleanor slapped a hand over his mouth, her face instantly burning crimson.

She glared at him. "You're the one who was being completely shameless—and you're blaming me?"

The man's eyes crinkled in absolute delight. He pressed a kiss into her palm. "So, Dr. Sutton definitely needs me, doesn't she?"

Infuriated and entirely out of comebacks, Eleanor yanked her hand away, stood up, and started walking off.

lan immediately stood and chased after her, catching her hand once more. Alright, alright, I'll stop. But you slept with me, so you have to take responsibility."

Eleanor barked a laugh. "lan, do you have any shame left at all?"

She had been exhausted the night before and barely wanted to move. Who was the

shameless one who kept stoking the fire until she surrendered?

"What do I need shame for? I just need you," the man answered with zero hesitation.

Eleanor stared at him, completely at a loss for words.

He shrugged his broad shoulders casually. "Fine then. I'll just be your lifelong lover.

At your absolute disposal, Dr. Sutton."

A tight ache seized Eleanor's throat. She looked up at him. "Doesn't that make you feel cheap?"

lan paused, then let out a low laugh. "Cheap? Why would I? I get to be with you, hold you, and wake up looking at you every single morning. couldn't be happier. Where is the cheapness in that?"

Then, he flashed a wildly arrogant smirk. "Besides, how is this any different from being married?"

Eleanor looked at him, suddenly lacking the words to argue.

"Fine. I'll take responsibility for you," Eleanor blurted out.

lan's eyes lit up as he looked at her. "Take responsibility for what?"