He gazed down at me, eyes narrowing with a smile, as if savoring the moment. One hand still covered my mouth, resolute, as if refusing to hear any rejection.
His triumphant, conqueror-like stare was endearing, yet being pinned beneath him chafed. I wanted to see his composed face unravel because of me. Without much thought, I licked his palm.
“Ugh!”
He flinched but didn’t remove his hand. Locking eyes with me, he slowly pressed closer, his weight heavy against me.
“What’s your plan?”
His throat bobbed, a low growl rumbling, predatory yet not frightening. He reminded me of a bristling cat, wary but oddly cute.
I lifted my hand, prying his from my mouth. He didn’t resist, yielding to my touch. My gaze never left his trembling eyes. Smiling languidly, I parted my lips.
“Mm!”
I took his long, pale finger into my mouth. A salty tang, like a grain of salt, spread across my tongue. His eyes flared with heat.
“I’m not keen on being devoured.”
I slowly withdrew his finger. His face, as I’d hoped, was beautifully undone.
His ragged breaths and feverish warmth pulsed through me. Seeing him undone filled me with smug satisfaction.
I brought his wrist to my lips, where blue veins stood out against pale skin. I grazed his flesh with my teeth, as if to mark him. His body stiffened. Locking eyes, I curled my lips seductively.
“But if I’m the one devouring, I might consider it.”
“Haa…”
With a rough sigh, he collapsed onto me, enveloping me. As I squirmed under his weight, he tightened his hold.
“Wait—just stay like this for a moment.”
His breathing was uneven, as if he’d been running.
“Sys?”
“Please, I’m begging you.”
His strained, husky voice sent shivers through me.
“Damn it.”
He hugged me tightly, muttering a curse under his breath.
“If I lose control, you’re supposed to stop me, not egg me on. Do you really want to be devoured?”
“I said I’m not keen on that.”
He propped himself up slightly. His face, twisted with heat and anguish, stared down at me.
“You’re trouble, you know that? Do you even realize what you’re saying?”
“I do.”
“Haa, you don’t know anything. Even I have my limits.”
“I said I know.”
“…!”
His desire-laden eyes burned into me. His taut jaw and the heat radiating below told me how much he wanted me.
“If it’s hard, you don’t have to hold back.”
Before my words fully landed, his lips crashed onto mine, rough and unrestrained. Far from repulsion, my body ignited with excitement.
His lips hungrily claimed mine, devouring. I parted my lips, and his tongue invaded, exploring every corner. The wet sounds of our kiss and mingled breaths filled the room.
“Haa, haa…”
He pulled back, and air rushed into my lungs. His fingers traced my swollen lips, tender from his ferocity.
With his other hand, he brushed my hair, dark strands coiling around his fingers like snakes.
“You drive me insane.”
His eyes blazed, as if ready to consume me. Yet, despite their ferocity, his touch was gentle, handling my hair like fragile glass.
“I want to mark every inch of you, drench every strand in my scent.”
He kissed my hair reverently, his passion-filled eyes making him look like a fallen angel.
“For the first time, I regret my choices.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m going mad, unable to take you right now.”
“Didn’t I say it’s fine?”
“Even without your permission, I want to ravish you, let my desires ruin you.”
He carefully tucked a strand behind my ear, his pained face stubborn.
“But, Bee, I don’t want to leave a single blemish on you—especially not because of me.”
“I don’t care.”
“You say that, and it makes me want to protect you even more. Would you laugh? I want to love you purely, proudly, before the world.”
His struggle to cling to reason, despite his arousal, was maddeningly endearing.
“Can I choose?”
“No, you can’t.”
He shook his head firmly, still conflicted.
“You’ll regret it.”
“I’m already drowning in regret, so stop tempting me.”
He wasn’t lying—sweat beaded on his forehead. His struggle was palpable, yet he persisted.
“I’ll have you after the wedding. Not before.”
“Even if I don’t want to wait?”
“Haa, stop teasing me, woman!”
He rolled us over, and suddenly I was atop him, our positions reversed.
“You don’t need to keep pushing—I’m already losing it.”
His voice was dangerously husky, yet he refused to yield. I relaxed, draping myself over him.
“You’re making this harder on yourself.”
“Heh, I know.”
His soft chuckle sent gentle vibrations through me. I pressed my cheek to his chest, smiling faintly.
“I wish we’d have the wedding soon.”
He sighed, resting a hand on my head, stroking it like one would a child.
His steady heartbeat and warm embrace eased my tension, lulling me into drowsiness.
“Once we’re married, I won’t let you sleep this easily, so brace yourself.”
His voice, like a lullaby, faded as my heavy eyelids closed.
“The situation is turning against His Highness.”
Evan’s words cast a shadow over the faces in the room.
We were in the private study of Count Pison, once my grandfather’s, now empty but temporarily borrowed by me. It was more efficient for organizing information and hosting Evan and Pison Trading Company’s people than House Eliant.
“That’s troubling.”
Despite their tireless efforts, progress was painfully slow.
“I heard you found the one who poisoned the First Prince. What happened?”
“Yes, we did, but…”
Jenan, who managed the company’s intelligence, looked grim. He took a breath before continuing.
“He was already dead when we found him.”
“…”
It wasn’t unexpected, but the news left a bitter taste.
“Nothing from the body?”
“Well…”
Jenan glanced at Evan, who nodded. Jenan spoke.
“A letter with His Highness’s seal was found on the body.”
“Saying he poisoned the First Prince on His Highness’s orders, I presume.”
“Not exactly, but the implication is similar.”
Jenan looked surprised that I’d anticipated it.
This was aimed at Sys from the start. The suspect’s death only confirmed my suspicions.
The real issue wasn’t the attempt to frame Sys but who was orchestrating it.
Tap, tap.
