The late night was silent, the mansion’s servants having long since retired. In the secluded annex, a woman’s breathless moans echoed.
As they moved deeper and deeper into the farthest bedroom on the second floor, her plaintive cries grew louder.
“Ah…”
Like an offering to a ravenous beast, Etricia arched back against the bed, only to suddenly snap her eyes open. A thought had surfaced, instantly pushing away her rising desire.
“Wait a moment…”
Etricia, struggling to catch her breath, gently pushed Edmund away. His lips, which had been pressing against her neck with fervent kisses, paused as he furrowed his brows.
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. Though he didn’t like having to suppress the heat that burned within him, he could endure it—for now.
“What is it?”
Etricia glanced up at him and then hastily pulled her loose neckline together.
“Do you remember we have a date tomorrow?”
“I do… but this hardly seems the time to bring that up.”
His golden eyes flicked downward toward the floor. Etricia followed his gaze, scanning their surroundings.
After dismissing the servants for the night, they had been drawn to each other as if thirsting for an oasis, shedding clothing like a snake shedding its skin on the way to the bed.
Her emerald eyes trailed along the sheets to the man kneeling at the edge of the bed, his powerful thighs tensed beneath him.
As she swallowed dryly, her gaze climbed higher, taking in the sight of his slightly open shirt, revealing his chiseled abs.
“Etricia.”
Hearing her name, she instinctively met Edmund’s gaze before quickly lowering her eyes. His desire was blatant, making her cheeks flush a deep pink.
‘Should I just give in?’
Honestly, stopping now was just as hard for her. It took all her willpower to resist.
Whenever she spent the night with him, waking up the next day and merely standing up became a challenge.
Her moans always seemed to act as a trigger, making his feverish gaze lock solely onto her. Even if she lightly smacked his back to regain his senses, he would only pause momentarily before pressing her down again, continuing their passionate chaos until dawn.
That’s why she had to stop him—at least for tonight. For the sake of their first date.
She had once been swayed by Devon’s half-hearted serenades, and now, she held a certain romantic notion about lovers’ outings.
‘It may be silly to commemorate a first date at my age…’
But isn’t a first always exciting? Especially when it marks a significant moment with a loved one.
She wanted to look her best for their date. She certainly didn’t want to show up looking like a mess, with swollen eyes and exhaustion written all over her face.
With renewed determination, Etricia steeled herself and met Edmund’s gaze firmly.
“Edmund, listen carefully.”
“…”
Though she spoke with conviction, the glint in his eyes made her subtly avert her gaze.
“…Tonight is a no.”
“…Ha.”
Edmund narrowed his eyes and let out a short, incredulous laugh. Still, Etricia remained resolute, shaking her head firmly.
She reached out, taking his strong, sinewy hands in hers.
“Not tonight. Tomorrow. Alright?”
When she looked up at him with pleading, glistening eyes, Edmund’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. The desperation in her gaze burned through him, filling him with a frustrating thirst. He exhaled slowly, eyes shutting as if to steady himself.
If she was going to beg, she shouldn’t look so breathtaking while doing it. She shouldn’t flutter those big, innocent eyes at him. She shouldn’t expose her smooth, tempting legs under the moonlight.
Enduring this was nothing short of torture.
But…
Edmund sighed, pressing his fingers against his temples.
“…Fine. I’ll hold back.”
“Really?”
Etricia beamed and threw her arms around his neck. As she pressed against him, he let out an agonized sigh and gently pulled her away.
Instead, he lifted her onto his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her legs to prevent any escape.
“Then let’s sleep like this tonight.”
Their bodies were flush together, the heat between them palpable.
Etricia pouted slightly, peering up at him with narrowed eyes.
“No, you should go back and sleep at your place.”
If I lose control and pounce on you, then what?
Edmund chuckled in disbelief before pressing a soft kiss to her bare shoulder.
“A little wildcat’s bite wouldn’t hurt much.”
“What? Did you just call me a wildcat?”
“It means you’re that beautiful.”
He nibbled playfully at her nose before letting out a deep chuckle.
“Ow.”
“Wildcats have apricot-colored noses, don’t they?”
Then, he kissed her closed eyelids gently.
“Your eyes are lovely too.”
His lips hovered near her mouth, teasingly close.
“And these lips… just as beautiful.”
His lips barely brushed against hers, leaving behind a tantalizing sensation before pulling away.
Their eyes met, their shared heat simmering. Just as their restraint threatened to break, Edmund exhaled and smirked, lowering his gaze.
“And down here… even more beautiful.”
Horrified, Etricia punched his shoulder. “Why are you being so shameless?!”
Despite her protests, Edmund buried his face into her neck, laughing as her entire face turned crimson.
Etricia glared at him before pressing her hands against the bed to get up—
Only to freeze at the sound of a suppressed groan.
She looked down.
‘Something firm… Did I just…?’
As realization dawned, she recoiled as if burned.
But in her panic, she lost balance—her hands pressing down in the exact same place again.
“Ah…”
Edmund clenched his eyes shut, a pained sound escaping his lips.
Flustered, she quickly withdrew her hands, only to steady herself by grabbing his thigh.
“W-Wait… Ugh.”
Here too?!
Her face went pale as she clasped her hands together tightly.
“I—I won’t touch anything, I swear.”
Above her, Edmund let out a slow, ragged breath.
“Please, don’t move. If you truly want to survive the night unscathed.”
“Who started this teasing first?!”
Though she had a point, Edmund simply sighed, rubbing his temples.
His heavy breath brushed against her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
His golden eyes darkened.
The sight of her crimson hair tangled against her soft skin was utterly alluring.
Before he knew it, he was lowering his head to her neck, his playful smirk long gone.
His lips met her skin—
And the night continued in a way they had not planned.
The Next Morning
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
Edmund, spinning a small leather ring box in his hand, let out a quiet laugh—before freezing.
He glanced up at Baron Montree and swiftly stashed the box into his desk drawer.
“You could at least announce yourself.”
“I knocked. Repeatedly.”
Edmund coughed and scowled, pretending to focus on his paperwork.
Baron Montree, however, merely stifled a knowing chuckle at the sight of Edmund’s slightly flushed ears.
