Chapter 26 – Tempting Entanglement

"Marinette."

Blissfully warm, the girl who belonged to that name snuggled deeper into the warmth before her and let out a sigh.

"Marinette."

"Mm," she murmured while smiling. She knew that dreamy voice and it was one that had often starred in her dreams, the really good ones.

There was a quiet chuckle from that delicious voice and she felt the gentle caress of fingertips against her cheek. "Wake up, beautiful. I need to go."

Letting out an annoyed grunt at the prospect of having the object of her fantasies depart, Marinette finally scrunched open an eye and almost screeched when she saw that a very real Adrien Agreste was smiling down at her. Oh, and her fingers were hopelessly entangled in the knitted loops of his top, holding him firmly in place against her.

"Adrien," she gasped as her brain slowly processed why he was in her bed. A flush stole over her cheeks as she remembered that Chat Noir had come over for a visit. But as she peered at her akuma fighting partner, she had to remind herself that the boy before her was the same guy just without the mask. It was still a fact she was getting used to.

The crooked tilt of his lips and fondness in his eyes was something she was accustomed to seeing from his alter ego and it was so damn amazing to see that look replicated on Adrien Agreste. Part of her was tempted to use her current hold on his jumper to yank him forward and lay a kiss on those tempting lips. But last night all they did was cuddle. As if both of them were unsure where they stood with the other.

It made Marinette wonder if she'd been unclear as Ladybug when she'd kissed Chat Noir during the akuma threat on the rooftops. Sudden clarity on the situation dawned in her mind. Did he think she'd only done it to save him? Pursing her lips, she inched a little closer. "What time is it?"

"Early, but I have to get home before Nathalie bashes my bedroom door down wondering why I'm not answering her normal morning instructions."

Glancing down at her enmeshed fingers, she chewed on her bottom lip as she considered her next move. Did she dare initiate a kiss with Adrien now? Peering up bashfully through her eyelashes, Marinette eased her hands free but hesitated to relinquish her hold.

"Adrien."

His eyebrow lifted with interest at her husky tone. "Yes."

"Do you, um, I mean can I…"

That blonde head of his cocked to the side as he waited for her to finish.

Swallowing nervously, Marinette wasn't sure if she had the nerve to ask. There was a natural confidence she felt when faced with Chat Noir but with Adrien it was different. No matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise.

But before she could spit out the words, Adrien's phone sounded a reminder alarm. Dropping his green gaze to retrieve his phone, Marinette inwardly kicked herself.

Those expressive green eyes returned to her with an apologetic frown. "I'm sorry, but I really have to go. I'll see you at school?"

Forcing a smile, Marinette nodded. "Yeah, of course."

"Good," and before she could react, Adrien leant forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek and gently tugged her hands free from his top. "See you soon."

With disappointment, she watched as he turned to his kwami to quickly transform back into Chat Noir then scurried out her skylight. Shaking her head, she dropped her pillow over her face and screamed into it. "Why can't things ever be simple!"

Tikki gave her a sympathetic smile. "Just give it time, Marinette. You'll see."

Yeah I know, it was back to a shorter chapter but hey the next one will be better ;)

Adrien needs to put the final steps of his plan together. Until next time, thanks for reading :)