A/N: Since you all have been so wonderful with your reviews, and because I really did feel bad leaving the last chapter on that terrible cliffy, I decided to get to work and give you this chapter :)

Chapter 10

Marinette froze in astonishment. He came to collect, now?! He knows she's not rich, nor would she have had the time to bake so many pastries! Was he insane?

"Now?" She managed to squeak out in disbelief.

"Yes, now." That stupid grin never left his face. "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 two 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, hands beginning to do their classic frenzy of moves whenever she got overwhelmed.

"Yes, you do. You've always had it. What, did you think I was talking about pastries or something?" He chuckled, green eyes lighting with mirth.

Marinette could only look dumbfounded, which spurred on more noises of amusement from the thief. If he didn't mean pastries, then what else did she have that could hold the value of all the banks in Paris?

"I think you know exactly what I want." His voice dropped to a low murmur as he brought a hand to her cheek. The cool metal of his ring contrasted greatly with the warmth of the leather glove. Marinette stilled as he trailed his thumb over her parted lips.

Her eyes followed the thumb's movement before she brought them back up to meet with Chat Noir's. She could barely hold back the gasp of realization.

He removed his thumb when she began to speak. "You want a-a kiss?"

"Correct." He shuffled closer to her, green eyes holding her sapphires captive. "But I would never force myself on you."

The unspoken words, 'do you want this', were left hanging in the air. Marinette swallowed and a chill ran down her spine. However, she couldn't help but be surprised at what her kiss valued to him. He considered a kiss from her to be worth all the money from the banks of Paris?

Chat Noir didn't move, it seemed he wouldn't until she gave an answer.

Did she want this? With the room lit only by the small lamp behind her, his emerald eyes seemed to glow. His hand was still resting tenderly on her cheek.

She was aware of how handsome he was, it was a fact she observed when they first met, and it only seemed more so with the intimate lighting. She couldn't deny the small spark of attraction she felt for him.

Despite his crimes, he never harmed her, and always acted like a gentleman. Like now, for instance. Instead of demanding for the kiss and stealing it, he was waiting patiently for permission.

Marinette let out a long, slow breath. Not looking him in the eyes, she nodded her head and whispered. "W-Well, I can't go back on my word."

She only glanced up to see his reaction. He wasn't displaying one of his signature smirks or grins. No, a rare, warm smile took over his features.

He leaned closer and placed his other hand on her other cheek. His head bent down so only a hair's width of distance was between their lips. She felt his warm breath on her sensitive skin which only served to cause another shiver to run down her back.

"You're right, it isn't a good thing to break your deals," he murmured lowly.

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

He smirked wickedly. "Especially then."

After those words he planted his lips on hers. Marinette's eyes automatically closed in bliss.

All she could register was warmth. His lips were warm, and soft as they moved and molded against hers. Unconsciously she raised her hands to bury them in equally soft blond locks. He seemed to like that as he made a noise from the back of his throat and increased the pressure of their kiss.

She was barely aware of the pillow hitting the back of her head. Chat Noir didn't break the passionate kiss as he maneuvered her to lay down. Her eyes opened for a second to see their current situation: her resting on the bed with him holding himself above her, hands secured on both sides of her head.

She closed her eyes and sighed when she felt his tongue hesitantly touch her top lip. Marinette let him in and soon their tongues were in a heated dance. She tightened her hold on the blond strands and he again made a noise of pleasure.

He pulled away and lightly nipped her bottom lip with his teeth. Marinette tried not to make a sound, but his husky chuckle told her she ultimately failed.

With no lips available to muffle her own she let out a gasp as his lips trailed down her neck, pressing sensual kisses on the flesh. He bit down on the area where her neck met with shoulder and she had to bite her lip to keep the satisfied moan at bay.

"Ma Princesse," he purred.

Marinette swore she saw stars when he began to lightly suck on the spot. Her hands wandered from his hair to his shoulders, where she gripped them tightly without fear of hurting him.

When he was finished he swiped his tongue on the spot before moving his head to the hollow of her throat. He pressed a kiss there and made his way up, never breaking the heated trail. At long last he returned his lips to hers where he gave them the same amorous treatment.

Marinette could barely remember her own name with how he was kissing her. How could someone be that skilled? How-

He maneuvered his tongue in her mouth again, cutting off her already dazed thoughts. She grips his shoulders tighter and makes a groan of pleasure.

She thinks it's too soon when he separates his lips from hers. With lidded darkened eyes she observes his pink, swollen lips and hungry green gaze. He's gasping for air as he observes her.

"I'm sorry, Princess," he apologized huskily. "I got carried away."

That's the understatement of the year, she thinks.

She takes a breath to try to calm her rapidly beating heart. "It-It's okay."

"You only allowed one kiss, but I took it too far," he continued shamefully. He grazed his knuckles affectionately over her cheek, his ring barely brushing over her skin. "I'm so sorry."

"Chat, it's okay," she repeated, wanting to wipe that distressed frown from his handsome face. "I-" she blushed, "I liked it."

His frown gradually lifted into a soft smile. "I liked it too."

Chat bent his head to nuzzle in the crook of her neck. "I should go, it's late," he mumbled.

She nodded in agreement, even though she wanted him to stay. She mentally had to sort out what just happened. It would be hard to concentrate with his burning gaze settled on her.

"Good night," she spoke softly.

"Good night, Princess." He lifted his head to kiss her forehead in a farewell. Seconds later he was up and out the hatch and back into the starry night.

Marinette sighed and brought her knees to her chest.

She just made out with Chat Noir.

She willingly participated in a make out with Paris's most notorious criminal.

And she liked it.

Her heart stopped when a familiar blond boy's face appeared in her mind. With a gasp her eyes popped open further in stunning realization.

She betrayed Adrien, the boy she has been in love with for two years now, to kiss a guy she's only known for about three weeks. What did that make her? Was she a slut?

She remembered in horror how Chloe was making out with Kim at Sabrina's party. Was she just like Chloe, to claim to be in love with Adrien but when he wasn't around to go on and kiss any willing man?

Marinette buried her face in her hands, already feeling the hot tears seeping through her fingers.

She was just like Chloe.

...

Marinette didn't meet anyone in the eyes that Monday. Her mouth didn't lift into a smile, her shoulders slumped, her whole demeanor screamed 'sadness'.

Alya tried to coax out of her the reason she was acting like this, but the blackette would only shake her head and stay hidden in her arms.

When Adrien walked in she expected Marinette's sorrow to completely vanish, nothing could make her happier than the model's presence. He was smirking about something but when his eyes landed on Marinette it dropped.

"Marinette?" He asked gently with concern. "What's wrong?"

To his terror she made a garbled sound that sounded like a sob. She buried her head even lower into her folded arms.

"What's wrong with her?" Adrien demanded to Alya. Nino looked at the designer in pity and concern.

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

"Marinette?" Adrien lightly touched his fingertips to her elbow. To his surprise she recoiled as if he burned her. She made another sound that suspiciously sounded like a sob of pain.

Adrien frowned at her reaction and retracted his hand. Without another word he sat down in his seat.

...

When she was safely at home she ignored her parents's request to know how her day went. She might've mumbled a 'fine' but she couldn't be bothered to remember.

She laid on her side, still as miserable as when the realization of her betrayal hit her.

She didn't love Adrien, not truly. She was just a slut that went around kissing other men.

She was just like Chloe.

Just like Chloe.

These words kept repeating themselves, each phrase louder than the last, until she no choice but to bury her head in her pillow in despair.

She felt the bed dip a little in the change of weight. She didn't react when Chat Noir hugged her form to his side.

"Princess, what's wrong?" He asked gently. "Please tell me so I can claw the perpetrator's eyes out."

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

Chat, in shock, removed his arms from around her waist. "What did I do? Whatever it is, I'm sorry, Marinette."

She sighed, before rolling over to face him. Her red cheeks were stained with tears. "I lied. It's me. I-I kissed you and-and I love someone else. I-I'm a-a-a," she could barely get the next word out, "slut."

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

"But it's true!" She screamed, not caring that her parents were in the bakery and might hear. "I love another man and I kissed you! What does that make me?"

"Smart?" He guessed with a half-grin.

Marinette growled 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, half-grin replaced with a scowl. "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."

Marinette paused, considering his words. Maybe she was overreacting, it wasn't like her and Adrien were a thing. She never technically cheated on him. But still...

The designer let out a calming breath. "Okay."

Chat Noir smiled and wrapped his arms around her once more. His lips connected with a tear trail on her cheek in a kiss.

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

Marinette, in what felt like forever, let out a small giggle. "I'm not telling you."

"Come on, I need to know who my competition is," he pressed playfully.

"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."

Marinette chuckled. "Well, he has blond hair and green eyes."

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

"Still not telling you." She smirked.

"What does his first name start with?" He asked. He was being relentless. Maybe she could soothe his curiosity by answering this one question. After all, the answer wasn't too revealing.

"A."

Chat Noir's arms tensed around her sides. It was a few moments until he responded.

"I see."

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

"But my princess has someone else occupying her heart. This can't do," he moaned. "I shall conquer your heart yet. I would say I'm off to a pretty good start." He peered down at her with a sly grin, the blackette immediately knew what he was referring to. Memories of their kiss caused a blush to color her cheeks.

"I'm glad you're feline better, Princess. Don't ever think so lowly of yourself," he ordered softly and finished it with a tender kiss on her forehead.

He untangled himself from her arms and leaped out the trapdoor. He looked down at her smiling face.

"I must be off, Princess. This knight has a prior engagement. By the way," he smirked, "nice love bite, there."

Marinette gasped in mortification, hand slapping on the exact spot. She growled out angrily, "Chat!"

The criminal laughed in delight as he scurried away.