Chapter 2 (Part 8)

She put the spoon down. Forcing a smile, she said,

“If you add more water, it might taste right.”

She was about to get up when Cardin stood first.

“I’ll get the water.”

He brought a full glass of water to her. She poured all of it into the bowl. The bowl was nearly overflowing. Cardin narrowed his eyes at her.

“That much?”

“Taste it. It’s really salty.”

Cardin let out a hollow laugh.

“You really can’t lie.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

He smiled and took a light spoonful. Then his expression froze for a moment.

“I really made something inedible for you. Sorry.”

Cardin’s expression turned worried immediately.

“It’s okay. I haven’t eaten something like this before, so I’ll consider it a new experience.”

She spoke, thinking of him, and Cardin laughed.

“Brienne, are you teasing me?”

“I’m not.”

She was sincere. Cardin looked at her with amused eyes.

“Your every word is interesting.”

“Aren’t you teasing me now?”

Cardin shook his head with a smile.

“Why would I tease you? I should be grateful you’re eating my food.”

She smiled. Still, she enjoyed chatting with Cardin while eating like this. Although the food was too salty. The price seemed high.

As she moved the spoon absentmindedly, her stomach felt slightly uncomfortable. Come to think of it, she hadn’t taken contraceptives when she slept with Cardin. She didn’t keep contraceptives here in the first place. There was no need. 

But now she thought she should take them. Even if she parted ways with Cardin later, she wanted a clean break. She didn’t want to be tied down because of a child. 

She checked the calendar on the table. Come to think of it, it was tomorrow. Once a month, a gynecologist visits here.

“Do you have any special plans for tomorrow?”

“Huh?”

“You were looking at the calendar intently.”

She didn’t want to worry Cardin unnecessarily.

“I’m going to pick herbs.”

She thought she could say she was picking herbs and briefly visit the village. Now that her relationship with Cardin was known, the villagers wouldn’t find it strange if she went to the hospital tomorrow. She drank water diligently with each spoonful, feeling Cardin’s gaze. When she looked up, he spoke softly.

“Brienne, I want to stay here until winter.”

She wanted to leave before summer ended. Hesitating, she looked at Cardin, who calmly continued.

“I want to see the winter here. I want to see the frozen lake and the snow with you.”

Cardin softly curled his lips. His fresh, sparkling eyes seemed to shine as if the distant future was full of happiness.

‘Expectations always lead to big disappointments.’

That’s how she felt. Besides, staying here until winter would be more dangerous for her. Just as she was about to speak because it seemed impossible,

“It’s the first time I’ve felt so peaceful and calm. Is it because of you?”

“Because of me?”

“Yes.”

Cardin smiled brightly. It was a warm, spring-like atmosphere. Even with all the windows open because it was hot, and occasionally wiping sweat with a handkerchief, she didn’t feel hot just looking at Cardin’s face. Rather, the more he smiled, the fresher her mind became. Cardin spoke without taking his eyes off her.

“I must have had a hard time before coming here. I want to stay here.”

She lowered her head. It must be because of her father that he had a hard time. Her father made Cardin’s bank struggle a lot. 

She thought she was the only one having a hard time, but hearing that Cardin did as well…Of course, for Cardin, it must have been like a bolt from the blue.

Unable to look at him, she spoke.

“Does staying here really make you feel calm and comfortable?”

“Yes.”

She felt Cardin’s gaze. She didn’t meet his eyes. Because of the sins her father committed, she couldn’t reject him or speak firmly. 

Alright, until winter. 

Even though she felt regret thinking about parting ways with Cardin when this summer ended. Still, just in case, she said,

“Cardin, you haven’t forgotten that promise, right?”

“What promise?”

“To tell me right away if you start remembering things around you.”

Cardin tilted his head slightly. He looked at her with calm eyes and slowly spoke.

“To help more?”

“I also promised.”

“I will.”

The calm words scattered, bringing peace to her heart. If Cardin started to remember things before winter came, she would leave. She didn’t want to see his face filled with hatred for her anymore. Once was enough to be hurt.

“Have you finished eating?”

At the sudden question, she looked up to see Cardin holding the bowl. She spoke up belatedly.

“I haven’t finished yet.”

Cardin smiled and took a step closer to her.

“You’ve eaten enough by now. I didn’t eat much either.”

“It was really salty, but not completely inedible.”

“Thanks for being honest.”

Cardin chuckled and washed the dishes in the sink. She got up from the table and headed to the bed. As always, she took a book from the nightstand and began to read. She was deeply focused when the book that filled her vision was lifted. Startled, she looked up to see Cardin taking the book and sitting beside her. For a moment, the bed felt crowded. Though flustered, he leisurely examined the book.

“Is this book interesting?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then why read it?”

“Because I have nothing else to do.”

Cardin smiled and placed the book on the nightstand.

“Why do you have nothing to do? I’m here.”

Wondering what he meant, she looked at him as Cardin leaned forward. His warm breath was hot as it touched her.

“Let’s play together now.”

He smiled and lightly touched the tip of her nose. Before she could be surprised, Cardin gently kissed her. As if her body had adapted, she naturally accepted him.

His warm breath touched her as his tongue slipped inside her lips. As his tongue leisurely explored her palate, it found her soft tongue and began to suck. The sound of their lips parting was particularly explicit. Cardin subtly pressed his thigh against hers, stimulating her body. It felt like her whole body was warmly enveloped by him. 

He didn’t easily let go of her lips, as if he wouldn’t let her escape. Even when she unconsciously turned her head due to breathlessness, he skillfully found her lips and bit them, allowing no gap. 

The hardness pressing below was blatantly felt as he rubbed against her. His movements drew a hot breath from her lips. Cardin swallowed that breath and slowly parted his lips. 

Their breaths mingled for a moment, and his eyes shone with a deep light. His lips left a lingering touch on her neck before moving to her collarbone. Her waist twitched involuntarily. 

Cardin continued to press his lips against her collarbone, boldly pulling down her nightgown dress. She was momentarily flustered by her sudden nakedness, but Cardin’s lips moved to her chest, making a sucking sound. The touch of his soft lips made her toes curl, and her chest gently bounced every time he slightly pulled away. 

As he gripped her chest firmly with one hand, a moan escaped her lips.

“Ugh.”

A strange sensation caused her knees to rise involuntarily, touching his thigh. For a moment, she flinched at the hardness she felt, but Cardin didn’t seem to mind and pressed closer. As if deliberately trying to trap her, he wrapped his legs around hers tightly, making it difficult for her to move. Meanwhile, his lips softly sucked on her hard, protruding n*pples. Every time Cardin’s lips left her, a peculiar sensation lingered below. Since their thighs had touched, she was already wet down there. The heat and sweat clung to their bodies, and the sensual stimulation of her n*pples made her lips part involuntarily.

“Ugh, uh.”

Her hips lifted slightly, and each time her firm thigh touched his, she gasped for breath. Cardin circled his tongue around her n*pple while gripping her br*ast firmly with one hand. The pressure made her head tilt back involuntarily.

“Ugh.”

Her body couldn’t stay still. Cardin seemed eager to know how much stimulation she could endure and how loudly she would moan. Even as her moans grew louder and her body instinctively twitched, he didn’t stop and sucked her n*pples even harder. The more he did, the closer he pressed his manhood against her below. Each time his hard member rubbed against her, a subtle sensation accompanied by wet moans escaped her lips.

“Huh, uh, ugh.”

Unconsciously, she grabbed Cardin’s arm. Cardin slowly pulled away his lips. As his lips gently parted, a subtle thrill brushed over her. Her upper body heaved with shallow breaths, and Cardin started sucking on the mound of her br*ast before moving his lips down to her belly. His lips naturally moved to her side, and as soon as they touched there, her waist jerked. When she inhaled sharply, he looked up at her. His eyes, dark with desire, were particularly intense beneath his lowered eyelids. As she stared blankly, his lips curled slightly. That image seemed unusually slow. Then, a ticklish yet indescribable excitement arose. Cardin extended his tongue and began to suck her side.

“C-Cardin, stop.”

He sucks on her side. As she tried to move to the edge of the bed, he pulled her waist back with one hand and pressed his lips to her side again. In the end, she grabbed the blanket and exhaled, her face flushed red and panting. Her intimate fluids had already soaked her underwear, and the slippery sensation was evident. As she continued to move her thighs, Cardin moved his lips from her side to her thigh. His soft, gentle kisses were incredibly tender. As she finally exhaled, his lips moved between her legs in an instant. Before she could close her legs, Cardin completely removed her underwear and held her legs with his arms. Her weakly moving legs were caught by his arms. His breath scattered between her wet intimate fluids. Her toes twitched, and her hips lifted. As his nose touched her reddened flesh, his soft tongue began to lick away her intimate fluids.