2.10

The moment her soft lips touched his, Leon felt his mind swirl into confusion.  

Soon, the soft sensation that had been gently brushing against him delved sharply inside. The clumsy movements exploring every corner of his mouth were unskilled, but her awkward kiss only made Leon’s body heat up.  

The woman, who was usually not assertive, was being bold only at this moment. She was igniting his desires, heating him up.  

Although he could push her away with force, he didn’t. Instead, he pulled her waist closer, making their bodies press together.  

No! I have to say it now! 

If he missed this chance, he felt as though he wouldn’t be able to turn back.  

As her lips dominated his mouth and her hand touched his lower body, his mind went completely blank.  

Ah….  

In the end, Leon gave up resisting. He devoured her lips and began to untie the strings of her dress.

“Ugh!”  

At the same time, her small, soft hand grasped the hardened bulge in his trousers and began moving slowly up and down.  

When she felt it twitch violently, her startled hand quickly withdrew from his lower half. Her clumsy movements contrasted sharply with her otherwise assertive behavior.  

Realizing her mistake, Ellen’s hand once again touched Leon’s swollen area. As if nothing had happened, she resumed her awkward movements.  

He found her actions endearing. Though he clenched his fists and tried to suppress his instincts, Leon’s face twisted with tension. Despite the awkward kiss and her unskilled touch, he felt as though he was losing control. Heat surged through every part of his body that made contact with her.  

D*mn it. Why is my body reacting?!  

He had prayed to God for control, but his plea had gone unanswered. This made him feel even more miserable.  

No matter how hard he tried to endure, Leon’s self-control rapidly crumbled. It felt as if molten lava was coursing through his veins.  

He fully absorbed her lips, pulling her soft flesh into his mouth and dominating hers. Their breaths intertwined repeatedly, saliva mixing between them.  

“Ah….”  

Ellen let out a soft m*an, seemingly overwhelmed by the rough kiss. Though Leon tried to pull away momentarily, he kept returning to her lips each time.  

The kiss alone was enough to drive him mad, making him unwilling to part from her. Their lips separated and rejoined numerous times, continuing the kiss.  

When their breathing became labored, their lips finally parted. Between the gap, their heavy breaths mingled.  

Leon finished untying Ellen’s dress strings. As her voluptuous chest was revealed, it became even harder for him to maintain his composure.  

His throat bobbed once before his lips pressed against her chest. Though he had tasted it countless times in his dreams, the reality was different.  

The soft texture and sweet scent seemed to fill the emptiness in his heart.  

As he took her chest fully into his mouth, Ellen’s body trembled slightly. Feeling unfamiliar sensations, she tried to push him away, but Leon continued to s*ck strongly, drawing her chest further into his mouth.  

“Ahhh!”  

Ellen’s head tilted back as a m*an escaped her lips. Hearing her seductive voice, Leon felt his body heat up even more.  

His tongue teased her *rect n*pple relentlessly, while his other hand carefully kneaded the soft flesh, savoring her smooth skin.  

Ellen tried to stifle her m*ans by covering her mouth, seemingly worried that someone might overhear.  

At that moment, her concerns proved valid as footsteps and voices began approaching.  

“Shh!”  

Leon quickly pulled Ellen into his arms, ensuring that no one could see her exposed skin. Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise.  

“Did you come here to pray? How about a drink afterward?”  

“Sounds good. You’re paying.”  

As the men’s voices grew closer, the two held their breath and listened silently.  

Ellen, nestled in Leon’s arms, blushed deeply and tightly shut her eyes. Feeling his heartbeat, she thought hers might burst.  

“Wait… isn’t this the wrong way?”  

“Oh, you’re right.”  

The voices and footsteps that had been approaching began to fade once more. Only then did Leon release Ellen from his embrace.  

She wished he had held her longer…. As he let go, Ellen felt a pang of regret.  

“Let’s continue.”

She said, summoning her courage as she wrapped her arms around Leon’s neck. She didn’t want things to end like this. Though the mood had been interrupted, she felt the need to continue.  

“I can’t.” 

Leon replied firmly, adjusting Ellen’s fallen dress back into place.  

“You were just feeling desire for me moments ago. So let’s keep going.”  

She hadn’t intended to beg, but it felt like she had to act now. Seeing the desire that had burned in his eyes suddenly vanish made her desperate.  

She felt uneasy, as though he was about to say something she didn’t want to hear.  

In truth, Ellen had sensed his intentions from the moment he led her to a secluded spot outside the temple. To change his mind, she had boldly suggested spending the night together and initiated the kiss.  

But it seemed none of it had worked. Ellen was the only one feeling rushed; he wasn’t.  

Despite her preference to avoid public places, she had pushed herself to act. If she didn’t go all the way now, she feared their relationship would end.  

Please!  

She tried to kiss Leon again, but his hand blocked her lips. Though his hand was warmer than her lips, it somehow felt cold.  

Ah… It’s over.  

Rejected, Ellen let out a bitter smile. The thought that this was the end filled her with despair.  

“I’m sorry.” 

Leon said, offering only an apology.  

He barely managed to suppress his desires. Though it was agonizing to restrain his instincts, he held Ellen by the shoulders and gently pushed her away.  

Had it not been for the voices of those men earlier, he likely wouldn’t have been able to control himself.  

Though he was grateful for the interruption, his body still throbbed with unfulfilled desire.  

His instincts urged him to push forward, to embrace Ellen again and claim her as his own.  

No! I can’t do that.  

He needed to stop here. He had to remain steadfast in the resolve he had prayed for earlier at the temple.  

It wasn’t right to selfishly take a woman without love.  

“This should be something you share with someone who truly loves you.” 

Leon said, struggling to maintain his composure.  

“Sir Guilford, are you not that person?”  

“I don’t deserve to be. It would be better for us to end our relationship here. Find someone who loves you more than I do.”  

Someone who truly loves you, someone you love—that’s who you should be with. Not someone like me.  

Leon fought to suppress his desires as he stood and added, 

“Don’t worry about any rumors. I’ll make it known that it was my one-sided infatuation, that I failed to win your heart. Since no one overheard us, it should be possible.”  

“I’m confident I could love you more than anyone else. Can’t my feelings alone sustain our relationship?”  

“I’m sorry.”  

He deliberately spoke coldly. Seeing Ellen’s hurt expression made him hesitate to reveal that their relationship had started as a mere bet.  

Knowing the truth would only hurt her more, so ending things now was best for both of them.  

It took longer than expected….  

Finally, he had managed to say goodbye. It had taken three weeks to muster the courage to end their relationship, a long time for Leon.  

Starting tomorrow, Ellen would be a stranger to him. Her daily letters would cease, her beautiful smile would no longer greet him, and her cheerful voice would no longer fill his ears.  

“….”