Chapter 7

Calvin spotted Rosie running toward him, clutching her dress hem, and frowned for a moment before giving her an exaggerated smile.

“My goodness, Rosie. Did you want to see me that badly? But I’m really late for an appointment right now. Let’s meet in a few days.”

He leaned out of the small carriage window, smiling as if he couldn’t help her, waving his hand as he moved away.

“No, this isn’t right. It shouldn’t be like this.”

Rosie stared with empty eyes at the carriage raising dust as it disappeared into the distance.

* * *

Rosie slowly opened her eyes.

It was already midnight outside. Through the slightly open white curtains, the round moonlight spilled over the window.

She must have eaten dinner quickly and then lain in bed, worrying about her relationship with Calvin, before falling asleep.

She turned her head, feeling warmth at her back.

‘When did he arrive?’

Theo, holding her from behind, seemed to have fallen asleep for a moment. Maybe he’d come straight after work, as several buttons of his shirt, usually buttoned up to his neck, were undone.

Rosie quietly turned her body to face him. The sharp, high bridge of his nose cast deep shadows on his handsome face, as if it could slice through moonlight.

‘Come to think of it, we used to sleep together like this when we were kids.’

It happened sometimes when they were young.

They’d run energetically all over the mansion, so falling asleep together somewhere was common.

Then, she felt the hand resting quietly at her side start to move. His touch, now intimate, softly traced her curves. Everywhere his hand touched, it felt as if her cells were waking up inside.

“Why are you awake already?”

His deep, low voice at her ear was seductive. Rosie unconsciously blushed and spoke in a small voice.

“How did you get in? Didn’t anyone notice?”

Theo stretched his lips into a lazy smile at her question. He gently cupped her bottom. Though Rosie’s figure had plenty of curves, it fit perfectly in his large hand.

“We didn’t play hide-and-seek for ten years for nothing.”

True enough. Whether it was the ducal mansion or the earldom, they knew every corner.

Besides, Theo coming to find her was nothing unusual. Of course, no one knew he was lying in bed, kneading Rosie’s bottom.

“Have you been busy lately?”

“Yeah, lots of work. Had to take care of things my father delegated.”

Theo added he was tired from traveling to the lower estate, then opened one eye and looked down at her.

“Did you miss me?”

He curled his lips upward as he asked. It was an undeniably charming smile. Even with his shirt undone and messy black hair, his appeal wasn’t diminished at all.

Actually, it might even be stronger because of it. That low, sleepy voice made him seem even more alluring.

“No, who said I missed you. Didn’t miss you at all.”

Rosie leaned her forehead against Theo’s chest as she spoke. Her voice came out a bit curt, unlike her true feelings.

“……Alright.”

Theo was silent for a moment, his voice losing its smile. His hand stopped kneading her bottom. The silence became so awkward it was almost suffocating.

“I just dropped by. I’ll go now. Sleep comfortably.”

Theo rose with no hesitation. The spot where he had been felt cold and empty.

“Wait, wait!”

Rosie propped herself up with one arm and urgently grabbed his clothes.

“I’m already awake now. You can’t just leave like this.”

Theo looked down at her hand holding his clothes, sighed quietly, and ran his hand through his hair. His thick, black hair slid easily through his long fingers.

“So what should I do?”

His gray eyes fixed on her.

Rosie hadn’t meant to ask for anything in particular, but if she didn’t answer, Theo would leave without hesitation.

She really didn’t want that. It had been days since they’d seen each other.

Rosie searched for an excuse, rolling her eyes, and squeezed out,

“Um, so… you should put me to sleep before you go.”

It was a weak excuse, but she thought it was pretty good. Theo’s eyes showed fatigue, after all. He let out a soft laugh.

“I’m not sure I can sleep quietly.”

“It’s fine if you don’t sleep quietly……”

Theo raised an eyebrow, as if asking if she knew what she was saying.

“Well, we agreed to be partners, right? So, I think it’s okay……”

His intense gray eyes made Rosie’s voice trail off, almost to a whisper at the end.

“So, can’t you stay a bit longer?”

Rosie looked down at the bed as she spoke. It was a tiny voice, as if he might not hear it.

Theo froze, unmoving. Rosie, anxious, glanced up at him. At the same time, he pressed his body down over hers.

“Rosie, you really……”

She didn’t know what words would follow. Theo’s lips were already pressed to hers.

‘Really what? What was he going to say?’

But her curiosity didn’t last. His tongue wetly invaded her mouth, licking everywhere from her palate and tangling with her tongue. Theo licked and sucked her tongue as if it were a sweet candy.

His hand gently but firmly gripped the back of Rosie’s neck.

Her whole focus was on the kiss. Her mind felt blank. The other hand, stroking her face, gradually moved lower, making it even harder to think.

Finally, Theo’s lips parted. Rosie, breathless, watched as he unbuttoned his shirt.

His gray eyes stayed fixed on her, unwavering.

Through the open black shirt, Theo’s firm muscles were exposed. Rosie unconsciously swallowed. Embarrassingly, the sound echoed in the quiet room.

“Are you excited?”

Theo crooked his mouth as he asked.

“No, not really.”

She looked away as she answered, just as Theo grabbed her ankle and pulled.

“Ah!”

With a small cry, Rosie’s upper body fell onto the bed. Theo slowly climbed over her. Like a slow beast, he positioned himself above her, licking his lips with his red tongue.

“Not excited?”

He smiled, pulling at his pants.

How could she not be excited?

She never forgot how good Theo made her feel. She couldn’t.

“I……”

Before Rosie could finish, Theo bent over her.

“I’m really excited, Rosie.”

Then he kissed along her neck. The delicate kisses weren’t rough, but they were dizzying.

“Do you know how good it feels when I’m inside you?”

His lips slid down, licking her chest. His tongue hovered around her waiting n*pple, only circling the area, making her impatient.

“Theo, Theo.”

“Hm? Rosie. What?”

His innocent answer didn’t match his teasing tongue, which still circled her n*pple. His hand traced her curves, gently caressing her bottom. His long fingers lightly stroked between her thighs.

“Mm!”

A m*an of anticipation escaped Rosie’s lips. But Theo’s fingers only teased the outside, never entering.

“You need to know that feeling to understand mine.”

Rosie couldn’t understand what Theo was saying anymore. His fingers stroked around her, making her insides wet with anticipation. All that was left was for Theo to enter.

“Theo, hurry. Please.”

Despite her urging, Theo remained leisurely. Now Rosie was getting impatient.

“Theo, mm.”

“What are you asking for, Rosie? Hurry with what?”

Then his tongue, which had been whispering over her chest, brushed her red peak.

“Ah!”

Her overheated body responded easily to the small stimulus.

“Shh, Rosie. What if someone comes?”

He laughed quietly. Then, as if answering her wait, he took her n*pple into his mouth. His tongue pressed and rolled it, the warm, textured sensation clear.

At some point, Rosie was n*ked, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering,

“Theo, please.”

At her urging, his fingers slipped inside her.

“Ah!”

His long fingers moved inside her wetness. When he rubbed a certain spot, Rosie let out a desperate m*an.

“Theo, mm!”

After teasing her n*pples for a while, Theo licked up her neck as he returned. His gray eyes stared straight at her as he asked,

“What do you want, Rosie? Tell me.”

Rosie, breathing heavily and blushing, bit her lip in dissatisfaction.

“Hurry, Rosie. That’s how I can satisfy you.”

Even though his fingers were moving inside her without restraint. She felt a bit frustrated, but her overheated body desperately wanted him.

Rosie hugged him and buried her forehead in his neck. Then she whispered in his ear,

“Put it in, please.”

Her words were the signal. Theo laughed deeply, then pressed his swollen length into her, piercing her.