Chapter 2.5

A sigh escaped from the man beside her. He glanced back at the other guards following him and gave them a low command.

“I’ll escort them in later, so go ahead and wait elsewhere.”

“Yes, understood.”

“You too, Aide. Go in first. I’ll explain to His Highness.”

“…Yes.”

The guards turned away first and began to retreat, and Katia bowed her head slightly toward Leonid before attempting to leave as well. After all, standing in this spot, watching the man she admired kiss another woman and caress her affectionately, was nothing short of torture.

But just as she was about to leave, Leonid grabbed her arm. His lips swiftly moved to her ear.

“I’ll wait for you tonight.”

Then, Leonid whispered the name of a small café along Katia’s route home. His breath tickled her ear, making her shoulders flinch, and she fled the scene as if running away. 

Watching Katia’s retreating figure, Leonid wore an expression that seemed both twisted and amused. Letting out a deep sigh, he ruffled his hair irritably and started walking. His steps led him toward the wisteria garden, where Alehin and Marielle were lost in their own world.

Thankfully, it wasn’t long until the end of the workday. Katia left the Crown Prince’s palace later than the designated time, as usual, but still earlier than on most days.

The café Leonid had mentioned was a cozy place with dim lighting and old-fashioned brown furniture that gave it a warm, inviting atmosphere. Standing in front of the café, Katia hesitated. Her heart pounded rapidly.

“Haa…”

She let out a long sigh. The reason Leonid had asked her to wait was likely because of her earlier suggestion. That is, to comfort each other in their moments of distress over Alehin and Marielle—physically, no less.

Indeed, Katia had been upset. Her mind had gone blank, and her heart had raced uncontrollably. She was just grateful she hadn’t burst into tears on the spot.

Leonid must have felt something similar. After all, watching the woman he loved kiss another man—no less than his lord and friend—right in front of him, would have been unbearable.

Staring at the café window, where a soft light spilled out, Katia felt her heart throb. This sensation was entirely different from earlier. Was it anticipation or anxiety? She couldn’t tell what her own reaction meant.

After a long moment of deliberation, a look of determination crossed Katia’s face.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

She clenched her fist without realizing it. Her steps toward the café were filled with resolve.

‘What’s the worst that could happen? We’ll just have s*x. We’ve already done it once.’

Ding.

The small bell hanging on the door jingled cheerfully as Katia stepped inside. The café owner greeted her, but all of her attention was focused on the man sitting at the center of the room.

Hearing the door open, Leonid turned his head slowly. When he saw Katia enter, a smile gradually spread across his face. 

For some reason, that smile felt like the result of waiting solely for her, and Katia felt her neck grow warm.

* * *

It was urgent—there was no other way to describe it. The moment the door closed, Leonid rushed toward Katia. Just as he devoured her lips with a fierce kiss, Katia found herself yearning for him just as much.

Her heart raced wildly. From the sound of Leonid’s ragged breathing, she could tell just how much he desired her. It felt as though her insides were tightening.

Her back and the back of her head hit the wall with a slight thud, causing a bit of pain. But she had no time to focus on that. She was gasping for air when her mouth was sealed again. Leonid’s urgency made her head spin, and she squeezed her eyes shut. She tried to close her lips, but it was futile. His tongue skillfully slipped between them.

“Mmm…”

Her dizzy mind couldn’t think clearly. All she could do was cling to Leonid desperately. If it weren’t for his firm thigh wedged between her legs, she might have collapsed to the floor. As she leaned against him, her soft, round chest pressed against his firm torso. Seemingly pleased by the sensation, he pressed himself closer to her.

Even though neither of them had removed any clothing, Katia already felt completely exposed before Leonid. Every point of contact burned as if it were on fire. Panting, she grabbed a handful of his hair. Sensing her unspoken desire, Leonid tilted his head and deepened the kiss.

One of his hands deftly unbuttoned her shirt, exposing her pale chest to the open air in an instant. His hand slipped inside her disheveled clothes, roughly pushing up her undergarments. Her full, enticing br*asts were completely enveloped by his hand, which kneaded them with satisfaction. Occasionally, his palm or fingertips teased her n*pples, sending jolts of sensation through her body.

Katia trembled at the strange, tingling pleasure.

“Haa… ah…”

“Shh, you have to be quiet.”

Leonid whispered into her ear as he planted kisses along its edge. He wasn’t wrong, so Katia bit her lips to stifle her voice.

They were still standing in the entryway of Katia’s home. Just beyond the door was a hallway where people might pass by. Any loud noise would undoubtedly be heard.

As if to tease her further, Leonid’s touch became more persistent. He deliberately pinched and twisted the most sensitive peak of her chest, causing her to glare at him. However, the redness around her eyes betrayed how deeply she was already consumed by pleasure.

Desperately trying not to succumb, Katia pleaded weakly.

“Inside… let’s go inside…”

“You still have the presence of mind to say that, Katia.”

“If someone hears… ahh! Oh!”

Ignoring her entirely, Leonid lowered his lips to her chest. He took one of her full br*asts into his mouth, sucking and licking it fervently. Unable to suppress her moans, Katia gasped and clung to his head with both hands. For a moment, she tried to push him away, but soon she had to focus all her strength on simply staying upright.

It was because his rough hand had slipped beneath her skirt, rubbing against her most sensitive spot through her underwear. The evidence of her arousal had already soaked through the fabric, and Leonid’s fingers slid along the damp material. When he pressed a little harder with his fingertips, Katia froze, her breath hitching as she instinctively tried to pull her hips back. But with the door behind her, there was nowhere to escape.

“You’re already this wet.”

“Aah… stop… no… mmph!”

“Really? Should I stop?”

He was almost on his knees in front of Katia before he realized it. Katia looked down at Leonid with tear-filled eyes. His face was filled with uncontrollable desire. Leonid’s voice, urging her for an answer, had grown rough and low.

Katia couldn’t answer easily. She wanted to beg him to go inside, but every time his hands skillfully ignited sparks within her, the words were lost. All she could do was part her lips soundlessly and shake her head.

As if expecting this, Leonid let out a chuckle. His fingers slipped into her dampened underwear and settled gently between her slick folds. He only lightly teased the entrance of her trembling core with his fingertips. This left Katia more frustrated than anything. In a voice filled with a mix of frustration and anticipation, she murmured.

“Why… why…”

“Do you still want to go inside?”

“Haa… Captain, please…”

“Oh my, you’ve reverted to formal titles.”

A beautiful frown appeared on his face as his fingers suddenly scraped firmly along the tender flesh inside. When his fingertips brushed against her swollen cl*toris, Katia froze as if struck by lightning, then trembled violently, nearly collapsing forward. The intense pleasure that struck her core left her body limp, but Leonid’s other hand firmly supported her, keeping her upright. With trembling legs, she barely managed to stay standing as she looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Please, ah…”

“Could you call me by my name first?”

“Hnn… Le-Leonid…”

“See? You can do it just fine.”

He smiled brightly and kissed her lower abdomen. As if branding her with heat, his fingers began to tease the small pearl more earnestly.

“Ahh! Aah… ngh, ah!”

“…Oh, Katia.”

The warm, clear liquid flowed more and more with his persistent touch. Katia began to sob softly, but Leonid showed no signs of resolving her mounting frustration. 

She clung to his shoulders, trembling. Her hips and lower back moved as if to escape his touch, only to shamelessly seek it again when the overwhelming pleasure struck. With a tearful voice, she begged him once more.

“Please… Leonid, ahh!”

“Do you still want to go inside?”

“Hngh! Ah! Aah!”

“Or would you prefer I put myself inside you right here and now?”

Damn this man. 

Katia bit her lower lip and glared at him. Even under her sharp gaze, Leonid waited patiently, like a dog eager for its master’s command, pretending to be calm. Katia tried to hold onto her fleeting thoughts, but her body and mind, once ignited, refused to be restrained.