Chapter 11

At his declaration she seemed to freeze in astonishment. Her eyes were full-blown wide as they stared at him.

"Now?" She squeaked in pure disbelief.

Chat grinned in anticipation. "Yes, now. You agreed to give me the value of all the banks in Paris if I saved the hostages, which I did. I even wrapped the idiots in a big, pretty bow as a present for our city's finest. And now I've come to collect."

"B-But I don't have it!" She spluttered out, making those crazy hand gestures she did whenever she got flustered. While other people would be weirded out by something like that, he thought it was cute. Oh, well. Love is blind, as they say.

"Yes, you do," he insisted. "You've always had it. What, did you think I was talking about pastries or something?" He chuckled, knowing full well that was most likely what she was thinking.

She took on an expression that could only be dumbfounded, looking at him like he just gave her the riddle of the universe to solve. It made another noise of amusement escape past his lips.

Marinette couldn't be this innocent. She had to have had at least a little hint on what he was talking about.

"I think you know exactly what I want," he murmured, bringing a hand to her cheek. He wished he could feel her skin through the gloves. He had a feeling it was as soft and smooth as it looked.

Deciding to be more bold, Chat ran his thumb over her parted lips, mindful not to accidentally scratch her with the claw.

He looked up at her and noticed her eyes were drawn to his thumb. But soon she looked up beneath her lashes to lock gazes with him, watery blue meeting emerald green.

When he heard her intake of breath, thinking she was trying to speak, he took his thumb away.

"You want a-a kiss?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Correct." He shuffled a little closer to her. "But I would never force myself on you."

Above all else, he wanted her to know that he would never force his attentions on her. He would never be like Jared or Kim, he would never hurt her like they did.

He wanted her to trust him.

As he gazed at her, hand still on her cheek, he noticed that the lamplight seemed to make her sapphire eyes glow.

Chat honestly couldn't believe he was here with her. How a girl this beautiful and amazing let him be around her, and possibly let him kiss her, was a wonder he'd never truly know the answer to.

At last she let out a long, slow breath past her lips. Her eyes lowered to the bed when she nodded.

"W-Well, I can't go back on my word."

He smiled warmly at her words. She wanted him to kiss her! He couldn't mess this up.

He placed his other hand on her cheek, cradling her face. He bent his head to where there was only a hair's width of distance between their lips. Her warm breath blew over his lips and mingled with his own, causing a shiver of desire to run down his back.

"You're right, it isn't a good thing to break your deals," he murmured, his voice a tad huskier than when he last spoke.

"Especially when I'm dealing with a thief," she breathed.

Said thief smirked wickedly. "Especially then."

Without waiting another second he pressed his lips to hers.

Warmth. Her lips were so warm as they moved and molded against his own. His eyes were closed in bliss as he kissed her, for this was far better than any dream he could conjure up.

He groaned in pleasure when Marinette brought her hands into his hair and tugged, inducing him to increase the pressure of the kiss.

Chat found himself instinctively maneuvering her to lay down on the bed, not once separating his mouth from hers. He was holding himself above her so as not to crush her with his weight, and his hands positioned across both sides of her head.

He wanted more. He poked the tip of his tongue on her top lip, asking for entrance. She granted him permission and soon their tongues were in a heated dance that made him almost dizzy from the sensual satisfaction. He groaned again when she tightened her hold on his hair.

Deciding to perform a test again, he pulled away and lightly nipped on her bottom lip. He could hear her try to hold back the strangled moan, eliciting a husky chuckle from his throat.

He was aware of her gasp when he began to trail kisses down the smooth column of her neck. Her sounds of enjoyment urged him on, until he got to the point where neck met with shoulder, like in his dream.

And like dream Adrien he bit down on the flesh, intent on leaving a mark.

"Ma Princesse," he purred before starting to suck on the spot.

Her answer was a gasp as her hands traveled from his hair to his shoulders, where she squeezed tightly.

When he was finished he licked the bite to soothe it. He couldn't help but smirk smugly at the reddening mark he had left. He didn't too much time looking at it though, bringing his head to the hollow of her throat and planting a kiss there before moving his way back up to her lips.

He's vaguely aware that he's losing control, but he couldn't help himself at this point. This girl was purely addicting, it was hard to cease contact with her.

As he slipped his tongue in her mouth again and heard her make another moan, his mind was in a haze of lust. He just wanted more and more, and it seemed she was willing to give and give.

No. He shouldn't be doing this. He only requested one kiss, this was like betraying and lying to her.

With great will he pulled away. She looked up at him with half-lidded eyes darkened with desire, her lips were pink and swollen from his attentions. She looked so unbelievably gorgeous in that moment that he was tempted to just swoop down and capture her lips again and resume what they had going.

No. He had to hold himself back. He had to prove he wasn't like those other guys.

"I'm sorry, Princess," he apologized. He was slightly surprised when he voice sounded rougher than it ever had before, like he smoked an entire pack of cigarettes. He cleared his throat and continued. "I got carried away."

Marinette breathed in deeply before letting it out. "It-It's okay."

Chat bit his lip and glanced away. "You only allowed one kiss, but I took it too far," he continued shamefully. Would she be mad at him?

He looked back at her as he grazed his knuckles tenderly over her cheek. "I'm so sorry."

"Chat, it's okay," she repeated. "I-" she bit her lip and blushed when continuing shyly, "I liked it."

All his worries evaporated at her words, prompting a slow, fond smile to come to his features.

"I liked it, too."

He bent his head to nuzzle the crook of her neck, much like a cat would. "I should go, it's late," he mumbled. It wasn't healthy for her to stay up this late, she needed her sleep.

He felt her nod in agreement.

"Good night," she bid when he pulled away.

"Good night, Princess," he whispered before planting a soft kiss to her forehead in farewell. Seconds after he was out of the hatch and back into the crisp night air, well on his way back to the mansion.

As usual he made it back to his room completely undetected. Unfortunately, when changing out of the suit and into his sleepwear, he managed to wake up Plagg.

"Sorry, boy," Adrien sheepishly apologized.

Plagg meowed from his position on the pillow on Adrien's bed and let out an indignant sniff.

"I would say it wasn't my fault, but it honestly was. It was only supposed to be one kiss, then I would've immediately came back home. But-" he paused to sigh dreamily. "It was amazing, Plagg. I couldn't stop."

Plagg mewled again, turning his nose up in the air at him. It was as if he was berating his owner and not believing his excuses.

"Easy for you to act like that," Adrien retorted while taking off the cat ears. "You don't have a girl you like. All you care about is cheese."

The cat meowed in agreement.

The blond snickered. "You know, I bet if I got a girl cat, you wouldn't even care. Would you?"

He made another mewl and finally turned away from him, probably to finish his sleep.

Adrien yawned and climbed in bed beside his pet, giving him a rub on the crown of his head. Plagg began to purr and pushed his head up to meet with his master's hand, asking for more attention.

He laughed lightly and did what was silently asked.

...

On Monday, when Adrien came into class, he was smirking in anticipation for his first interaction with Marinette after their kiss. Not that she knew she kissed Adrien, of course. Still, maybe he could find a way to hint at it somehow and see her blush.

All his possible plans went out the window when he found her sitting at her desk with her head down. Alya was leaning over her in concern, rubbing a hand on her back for comfort.

He walked up to her, frowning. "Marinette? What's wrong?"

To his terror she made a garbled sound that sounded like a sob. She further buried her head in her arms.

Adrien rounded on Alya. "What's wrong with her?" He demanded. Did she do this? No, she was Marinette's best friend, she couldn't have done this. But who? He'd claw their eyes out once he found out.

Alya only shrugged her shoulders. "She's been like this all morning. I have no idea what's wrong."

He nodded and returned his attention to the crying blackette.

"Marinette?" He tried, reaching out to her elbow to try to comfort her. He blinked in shock when she recoiled as though he burned her before continuing to cry.

He retracted his hand with a frown and sat down in his seat.

...

He was fully aware he had a photo shoot after school. He shouldn't have suited up and went to Marinette's house, knowing there was hardly any time for a visit. But none of that mattered, because he needed to find out what was wrong.

Was it their kiss? Did she regret it? He hoped not.

His heart broke when he found her in her bed, huddled with a pillow and crying. He didn't even ask permission to come in, instead dropping down onto the bed and bringing her to him for a hug.

"Princess, what's wrong?" He asked in possibly the most gentle tone he had ever used. "Please tell me so I can claw the perpetrator's eyes out."

"You'd have to claw your own eyes out," she mumbled.

He removed his arms from around her side in confusion and hurt. "What did I do? Whatever it is, I'm sorry, Marinette."

It was their kiss, wasn't it? Dammit, why did he do that? It was so stupid! He never should've fooled himself into thinking she wanted it.

He heard her sigh and saw her roll around to face him. Her cheeks were red and stained with tears.

"I lied. It's me. I-I kissed you and-and I love someone else. I-I'm a-a-a," he waited anxiously for her next word, "slut."

Chat's eyes blazed in fury upon hearing that word. "You are not a slut! Don't ever say that about yourself!"

How could she think that?! She was nowhere near a slut. Where did she get the idea?

"But it's true!" She screamed, sitting up. "I love another man and I kissed you! What does that make me?"

"Smart?" He guessed with a half-grin. In reality, he was bristling at the knowledge that she had feelings for someone else. Who was this jerk?

She growled in anger and slapped his shoulder. "I'm serious! I've loved this guy for a long time and when a willing guy comes along I just kiss him! I'm a horrible excuse for a girl."

"Stop talking about yourself like that," he hissed, scowling. He placed both of his hands on her shoulders. "You're a wonderful, beautiful, amazing girl. You're a princess. Don't ever defile yourself with those hateful thoughts. You may love another man, but even though you kissed me, it doesn't make you a slut. You're the furthest thing from it. Please stop crying, Princess."

She paused, finally ceasing her sobbing, though a few tears still trailed down her cheeks.

Marinette sighed. "Okay."

He smiled and they both laid back down, with him wrapping his arms around her again. He kissed a tear trail on her cheek, hoping she meant it when she agreed with him.

After a minute of tense silence, he spoke. "So, who's this guy who needs to have my claws buried in his heart?"

Although he was jealous, his stomach flipped when she let out a giggle. "I'm not telling you."

"Come on, I need to know who my competition is," he pressed playfully. He'd have to double his efforts to win her over if her feelings were split.

"I'm not telling you, Chat," she laughed.

"Not even if I promise not to hurt him?"

"Not even then."

"At least tell me what he looks like. He can't be more attractive than me."

The conceited line made her chuckle. "Well, he has blond hair and green eyes."

Blond hair and green eyes? Who did he know that had that combo?

"What a copycat," he scoffed. "What's his name?"

The blackette smirked. He could tell she was really enjoying this. "Still not telling you."

"What does his first name start with?" He asked. He had to have something other than her last clue, it was too vague and he needed answers.

"A."

He tensed. Blond hair, green eyes, and their first name starts with an A. There was only one boy who he knew with those attributes, and his name was Adrien Agreste. Could she really like his civilian identity? She must've.

"I see."

"Don't be jealous, it's not attractive," she teased with a giggle.

"But my princess has someone else occupying her heart. This can't do," he moaned in mock-despair. "I shall conquer your heart, yet. I would say I'm off to a pretty good start." He peered at her with a sly grin at his reference of their kiss. He wasn't disappointed when he saw her cheeks color in a blush.

"I'm glad you're feline better, Princess. Don't ever think so lowly of yourself." He planted a tender kiss to her forehead when finishing the soft order.

He wished he could've spent the rest of the afternoon and evening here, but unfortunately he had to get to that photo shoot. Nathalie was probably screaming by now. He was sure that if his cell phone was turned on, it would be ringing every five seconds.

He untangled himself from her and leaped out the trapdoor. He gazed down at her a final time.

"I must be off, Princess. This knight has a prior engagement. By the way," he smirked as he spied his mark, revealed by how her shirt collar slipped to the side, "nice love bite, there."

She gasped in mortification as her hand flew to cover it. "Chat!"

He laughed in delight as he scurried away.

A/N: Thank you once again for all the reviews, readers :) I hope you liked this chapter! ;)