Chapter 13

“Hng!”

White flashes burst nonstop before her eyes.

At the same time, he hugged her tightly and stopped moving after a strong thr*st. Rosie shivered as she felt something hot flow into her body.

Only the sound of their heavy breathing filled the carriage.

Theo, leaning against her, gently stroked her back as she panted. She was still trembling, soaked in excitement.

His hand, carefully combing her sweat-dampened hair, was gentle. Then he kissed her cheek, his touch almost too tender.

‘Do all partners act like this?’

Rosie caught her breath and wondered.

She didn’t know anyone who kept a lover, but she thought lovers were supposed to focus on the physical side. This kind of touch was for lovers, not just partners.

‘Oh, are partner and lover different?’

As she pondered, she realized her lower body was tightening again. His length, still inside her, was getting hard once more. Rosie sat up in surprise.

“No, why? Why already……. We just finished!”

Theo’s lips curled into a handsome arc. He slid his hands down to her waist.

“Sorry, Rosie. Maybe I held back too long.”

His voice was gentle and kind, but his length, now growing even larger, slipped out and then thr*st back in roughly.

“Too long…… hng! Theo!”

The carriage kept circling the outskirts for a long time after that.

By the time their carriage stopped in front of Rosie’s house, the sun had set and evening was turning into night.

* * *

Dating Calvin was a string of discomforts. It was clear he hadn’t considered her tastes at all.

The cake shop’s cakes were as wonderful as he said. But everything else was a mess.

After cake, they visited a bookstore. When he politely asked if she’d mind him buying some books, Rosie nodded, never imagining “a moment” would stretch over an hour. And they spent it apart, not speaking at all.

‘Is this really a date?’

Rosie pouted, about to say she’d leave first, when Calvin finally returned, saying he’d chosen his books. Next, he led her to Karenne lasagna shop.

[This is the best for lunch.]

She tried hard not to make a face.

After that, he took her to the park.

Rosie liked parks, but had she known they’d walk so much, she would’ve worn sturdy, comfortable leather shoes.

“It’s so nice to take a walk with you, Rosie.”

Her feet felt like they were breaking in the impractical, beauty-over-function shoes, but Rosie forced a smile.

“Yes, it is.”

“Shall we go over there?”

Calvin led her to a quiet path.

He talked about the books he’d read and the discussions from the last club meeting, but she barely listened.

‘Did my heels get torn?’

He kept chatting, then blushed and drew close.

“Um, Rosie……”

“Yes?”

Rosie, debating whether to just take off her shoes, looked up to find Calvin’s face right in front of hers. Clearly about to kiss her—with that lasagna-eating mouth.

“No, um……”

As she tried to move away, he wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned in.

“Excuse me!”

A child squeezed between them, instantly putting distance between Rosie and Calvin.

‘Thank goodness.’

That was Rosie’s first thought. She furrowed her brow.

‘Thank goodness? Because of the lasagna smell?’

“The child…… hmm. Let’s go a bit further in. There’s a small garden.”

“O-okay……”

Rosie, unable to figure out why she felt relieved, nodded absentmindedly, still frowning.

A few steps later, Calvin naturally wrapped his arm around her waist.

She was lost in thought and startled, but Calvin didn’t seem to want to let go.

“Rosie, I’m sorry about yesterday. But I really mean it when I say I’m serious about you.”

“I see. But could you let go……”

She tried to pull his hand off her stomach, but Calvin only held her tighter.

“I hope you understand how I feel.”

He pulled her close, almost hugging her, and suddenly kissed her.

Rosie’s eyes went wide. She froze, forgetting even to breathe.

“Don’t be so nervous.”

“It’s not that……”

She tried to protest, but Calvin kissed her again, his tongue slipping into her mouth.

Rosie squeezed her eyes shut. The soft tongue, full of lasagna smell, made her stomach churn.

Just then, his free hand started creeping up her body. She knew exactly where it was headed.

She opened her eyes wide and tried to push him away.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Watch out! Move, move!”

A wobbly bicycle rushed toward them. Without time to dodge, it hit Calvin squarely.

“Ahh!”

Calvin sprawled on the ground with the bike, screaming.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”

The owner, who had jumped off before the crash, was unscathed. He smiled and offered Calvin a hand.

“Watch where you’re going!”

Calvin slapped the hand away. He stood up, brushing dirt off his clothes.

“Rosie, are you……”

Calvin’s lips clamped shut as he saw Rosie wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, gagging quietly. When their eyes met, Rosie’s hand froze too.

Rosie, hand to her mouth, and Calvin, covered in dirt, and the smiling bike owner—an awkward silence fell.

Rosie slowly lowered her hand and clasped both hands together. Calvin finally spoke in a low voice.

“Let’s go back.”

Rosie nodded silently and hurried after Calvin, leaving the bike owner behind. He didn’t speak at all on the ride home.

‘Maybe I was too harsh?’

Rosie endured the uncomfortable silence, glancing at him repeatedly.

If Theo had acted like that after kissing her, she’d have been hurt too.

Thinking that, she felt a little sorry for Calvin.

‘Well, loving lasagna isn’t a crime. If anything, it’s Karen’s fault for adding too much garlic.’

Just as she thought that, the carriage stopped and the coachman announced they’d arrived at Deacon Earldom.

Calvin got out first, didn’t even look at her, just held out a hand to help her down.

“I’ll come pick you up for Count Keplan’s party.”

Without another word, he got back in the carriage.

“Calvin, um……”

But before she could say more, the door slammed shut. Rosie could only stare in disbelief as the carriage left in a cloud of dust.

* * *

“……The Young Lady is now moving from Willowt Street to the park.”

Theo listened to his attendant, Ruth’s report, tapping his pen on the desk.

“With that guy?”

“Yes. Our people are following to make sure nothing happens.”

D*mn Calvin or whatever. He just won’t go away.

Just thinking of Rosie’s wrist made Theo want to bury the guy six feet under. If only Rosie hadn’t said she needed time to think.

Two weeks. Why two weeks?

Theo remembered Rosie, blinking her big eyes and speaking adorably.

“And as you said, we’re interfering to prevent any unnecessary contact.”

Theo narrowed his brow at Ruth’s words.

“Interfering? It’s protection.”

“Yes. Let’s call it protection then.”

Ruth shrugged, as if it didn’t matter.

They’d increased security around Rosie since the restaurant incident. Of course, she didn’t know.

“Couples can get close or fight, but isn’t it too much for you to interfere?”

Theo shot Ruth a sharp look at the word “couple.”

Couple? They weren’t a couple yet. Rosie said so herself. She’d agreed to think for two weeks. Until a conclusion, they weren’t a couple.

“Honestly, I don’t really like that guy, but isn’t this a bit much?”

Theo raised one eyebrow, but Ruth kept talking.

“That’s how romance works, right? The Young Lady isn’t a child. She’ll learn by experience. You can’t always protect her like a friend.”

Theo put down his pen and picked up some papers with a faint smile.

“What do you know about romance? You’ve never even held a woman’s hand.”

“That’s true for you too, Young Master.”

Theo didn’t answer, just focused on the papers. But Ruth saw it—a tiny twitch at Theo’s lips.

“Young Master?”

“I’m not anymore.”

Ruth looked incredulous.

“When? When did that happen?”

Theo just kept checking and signing papers.

“Wow, you’re so unfair. You work me to the bone.”

“What’s unfair? It’s got nothing to do with you.”

Thinking of Rosie moaning in his arms made Theo’s body ache. Her white, full br*asts seemed to float before his eyes.

Theo put down his pen and rubbed his forehead.

He wanted to go see her right away, but Rosie was out on a date with that annoying guy.