“I’m not that weak.”
“I know. But does that make you realize how much it worries me?”
He gave a bitter smile.
“Can’t you trust your man, just a little?”
His eyes flickered, as if wounded. He gently cupped my cheek with his large hand.
“I don’t want anyone to touch even a single hair on your head.”
“I feel the same.”
He gazed at me, waiting for my words.
“I don’t want to see you struggle. If I can help, sitting idly by doesn’t suit me.”
“…”
“It’s not about distrust. It’s because I trust you that I want to lend my strength.”
“Haa.”
He sighed, his face a mix of resignation and amusement.
“I can never win against you.”
He buried his face in my neck, mumbling.
“I came to persuade you, but I’m the one persuaded.”
“You thought you could convince me?”
“I did.”
“Pointless effort.”
“I had a feeling it’d turn out like this.”
“Next time, trust that feeling more.”
He chuckled, face still nestled against my neck. The subtle vibrations from his body felt oddly comforting.
“I promise I won’t get directly involved.”
He lifted his head.
“I know my limits. I have no intention of doing anything dangerous.”
My role was limited anyway. Sys, the target, and Evan, running the investigation, faced far greater risks.
Though the men around me didn’t seem to think so.
“That’s somewhat reassuring.”
He tightened his arms around me, his heartbeat echoing through me.
“But why did you say you didn’t want to see my face?”
“…”
“Answer me, Bee.”
He rubbed his chin against my head, mussing my hair. When I stayed silent, he lowered his gaze to meet mine.
“Why was my face so unbearable?”
“I don’t want to say.”
I didn’t want to expose my petty feelings. I knew things were different now, but that past self was still undeniably me.
“Fine, I’ll ask something else.”
Realizing I wouldn’t budge, he took a deep breath, letting it go.
“What did you talk about with Lady Daysha?”
“…”
“I heard she had something to say to you. Won’t you tell me this either?”
He tightened his hold, signaling he wouldn’t let go until I answered.
“Nothing happened.”
“Bee…”
He called my name plaintively. I continued casually.
“I just gave her a warning.”
“A warning?”
“Yes, a warning. A sharp one, so she’d never spout nonsense again.”
“What kind of warning?”
He raised an eyebrow, confused. It was likely beyond his imagination.
“I pulled her hair.”
“…What?”
He blinked, as if he’d misheard. I lifted my chin, meeting his eyes with a haughty expression.
“She claimed what’s mine as hers and demanded it, so I yanked her hair to teach her manners.”
“…!”
“I controlled my strength, so only a few strands came out, but it must’ve stung.”
His eyes widened, mouth agape. I shrugged.
“I’ve pulled hair before. I know how it’s done.”
His lips twitched. I faced him with a brazen expression. His face shifted subtly.
“Because of me?”
I couldn’t tell what he meant. When I didn’t answer, he seemed to interpret my silence his own way, his mouth curling into a grin.
“You were mad because she called me hers, right?”
“…”
“Right?”
He pressed for an answer, childlike excitement in his eyes. I stifled a smile, responding primly.
“I can’t let someone steal what’s mine with my eyes wide open. I’m not that generous.”
“Hahaha!”
He laughed loudly, lifting me off the ground.
“What are you doing, Sys!”
“Something I’ve been imagining since I got here?”
He peppered my forehead, nose, and cheeks with quick, peck-like kisses. The soft bed pressed against my back as he leaned over me, his arms framing my face like pillars.
“What am I going to do with you?”
A pleased smile spread across his face.
“Every time you show possessiveness, it feels so good. Am I crazy, or just that mad for you?”
He lifted the hem of my nightgown.
“It’s getting harder to hold back.”
His lips brushed the translucent lace, then parted. My face flushed, recalling our first meeting.
“Seeing you in something this provocative…”
He toyed with the fabric, his voice trailing off. His red lips and narrowed eyes were dangerously alluring.
“I don’t want to hold back.”
His fingers danced over the fabric like piano keys.
“What do you think?”
His fingers traced circles, coiling the tie of my nightgown like a snake. With a flick, the knot unraveled effortlessly, the fabric sliding open.
“No, don’t answer.”
His large hand covered my lips. Unable to move, I stared up at him, wide-eyed.
“I don’t want to hear it.”
One hand silenced me, the other caressed my jaw.
His fingers trailed down my neck, past my collarbone, growing bolder.
“…So soft.”
His lips left red marks, claiming me. My body stirred at his teasing touch. He grazed my earlobe with his teeth.
“Mm!”
“Your scent is intoxicating.”
His low breaths and the wet sound of his tongue against my ear rang loudly.
“Better than I imagined.”
He licked his lips slowly, his eyes glinting with desire.
“So sweet, I want to swallow you whole.”
A satisfied moan escaped him.
“Shall I?”
