The moment Bella confessed, a huge firework exploded in the night sky. A burst of white light illuminated their faces, revealing them in brilliant clarity.

In that light, Bella could clearly see Logan’s expression.

It was not surprise.

It was reverence.

“You won’t regret saying that?”

Logan asked again, as if to confirm.

No matter how deeply he felt, he did not want to force his feelings on her. He did not want her to feel obliged to return his affection.

Bella lowered her gaze for a moment. The afterimage of the fireworks still lingered in her vision.

Would she regret it?

It was a question she had already asked herself countless times.

That was why she could answer with certainty.

Lifting her head, she met his gaze without hesitation.

“Yes.”

This was not a decision made under pressure.

It was her own choice.

She liked him.

It was a truth she had buried for so long, even from herself. Now, at last, she could admit it.

Logan slowly lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. The warmth of his hand spread across her chilled skin.

Then his lips gently met hers.

The thunder of fireworks seemed to fade into the distance. Silence wrapped around them, as if the world had shrunk to encompass only the two of them.

Logan brushed his lips softly against hers, deepening the kiss.

Bella did not pull away.

She knew that this choice would change everything. And yet, for this one fleeting moment, she wanted to turn her back on it all.

As their breaths mingled, the fireworks above reached their crescendo, bursting in rapid succession and flooding the sky with light.

Beneath the countless flares that rose and vanished, their emotions burned just as brightly, like an unextinguishable flame.

***

Once the fireworks had finished, Logan led Bella into the cabin.

With his back against the door, he pulled her into his arms as though he could not wait another second.

The way he held her — firmly and unyieldingly — felt less like an embrace and more like a vow to never let her go again.

His hands traced her arms and waist as he buried his face in the curve of her neck.

“I’m not going to run away.”

Bella reassured him, sensing the desperation in the way he held her.

Wrapped in his firm yet warm embrace, she realized how long she had yearned for this warmth.

“Are you truly sure?”

Once they were inside the cabin, Logan asked her again. Her wishes mattered more to him than the circumstances. He had made mistakes with her before and was determined not to ruin this moment.

He knew that this was her first experience of a relationship like this. Even now, if she wanted to stop, he would accept that without hesitation.

Bella nodded as he continued to seek her consent.

But this time, she did not want to run.

Instead of answering with words, she rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.

His eyes widened in surprise, but only for a moment.

With her consent made clear, Logan’s restraint gave way. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her more deeply than before. This kiss was heavier and more intimate than the one they had shared on deck.

His movements were slow and deliberate, as though he was savoring every response she gave him. He brushed his lips against hers again and again, testing her response.

Bella instinctively clutched the front of his shirt. The firm fabric beneath her fingers reminded her that the man holding her was the duke himself.

Her heart pounded wildly. A heat spread through her body, leaving her weak at the knees, and she clung to him as though he were the only thing keeping her upright.

Each breath he released against her skin sent a tremor through her.

A soft sound slipped from her lips.

Although she had kissed him before, this felt completely different.

He was more open now — more intent and all-consuming.

The hand supporting her back slowly moved downwards, conveying an unmistakable desire. Yet Logan did not rush. His touch lingered on her waist, neither tightening nor moving lower, as though he was savoring the moment rather than taking control of it.

He lifted her gently and carried her towards the bed.

Lowering her onto the soft mattress, he looked down at her.

“If you don’t want this, we can stop at any time.”

Bella sat on the edge of the bed and looked him in the eye. His gaze was resolute — if she said no, he would withdraw without hesitation.

If she crossed this line, many things would change.

The future was uncertain.

But Bella found the courage to move forward.

Because he would be beside her.

“I want you, Your Grace.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Hearing it caused the last shred of Logan’s restraint to snap. He kissed her again, more deeply this time, drawing her fully into his arms.

His hands moved to loosen the tightly cinched corset around her waist. From the moment he had chosen the dress with her in mind, desire had been quietly stirring within him.

Though inexperienced, Bella responded shyly but willingly, tilting her head and shifting closer to him, accepting him without hesitation.

One by one, the layers between them slipped away as they held each other, no longer concealing what their hearts had already confessed.

Logan gazed at Bella as she lay on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging down.

She wore only her petticoat now, the pale fabric barely concealing her fair skin. Flustered by how exposed she felt, she bent one knee slightly and drew her leg inwards, instinctively attempting to cover herself.

This innocent, unguarded gesture made her even more captivating.

Logan exhaled slowly as his hand gently traced the smooth line of her leg.

“Ah— that tickles…”

Bella shifted beneath Logan’s slow, deliberate touch. Her toes curled as she instinctively drew her legs together. Logan moved gently between her legs, cradling her ankle in one hand and resting it against his thigh.

A soft sound escaped her at the slightest contact.

He was careful with her, acutely aware of her inexperience. His movements were unhurried and coaxing rather than demanding, yet this restraint only served to intensify the growing tension between them.

Bella trembled faintly beneath him, overwhelmed by sensations she had never experienced before. Her toes curled inwards as if her body could not decide whether to pull away or surrender completely.

“Relax.”

Logan pressed closer to her, his voice low in her ear. He stroked her gently and waited for her to become accustomed to his presence. The longer he held himself back, the stronger his desire grew.

A quiet breath left her lips.

“Slowly… just breathe.”

He ran a hand through her hair as though to soothe a child. Gradually, her stiffness began to ease. The distance between them disappeared as their skin touched in a heated embrace.

The warmth enveloped him, making him dizzy.

He wanted to lose himself in her and abandon all restraint, but the soft sounds escaping her lips kept him grounded.

“It… it hurts…”

Bella buried her face in his chest, her eyebrows knitted together as she clung to him. Overwhelmed by the unfamiliar pressure, she held on to him as though doing so alone would steady her.

“Should we stop?”

Logan stilled immediately, concern replacing desire. He watched her carefully, prepared to pull away if she wished it.

“Mmm…”

She shook her head.

The pain was strange and sharp—nothing like she had ever felt before. But she did not want it to end.

“Just… go slowly.”

She drew him closer, slipping her arms around his neck. Although accepting him felt overwhelming, she did not want there to be any distance between them.

Logan understood her silent response and did not rush.

He waited.

And waited.

With quiet patience, he gave her time to adjust, moving only when she did and matching the rhythm of her breathing as she slowly became accustomed to his presence.

On the gently swaying boat, beneath the hush of the night-time river, their night together unfolded slowly, as though time itself had chosen to linger with them.