Chapter 3 – Part 5

“Ha, eh, Evan.”

Blushing, Anne tried to pull back a little, but Evan wouldn’t let her.

The word “no” never made it out of her mouth, so…. so he didn’t withdraw his desire for her.

He laid her on the bed, wrapping her legs around his waist, planting light kisses on her face.

It felt like a honeymoon night, filled with sweet tenderness, leaving Anne unsure of where to turn.

Struggling to catch her breath, Anne mustered the courage to speak one last time.

“This will cause a huge scandal.”

“I should have guessed it already. Even if Carly hadn’t confined us to this room, I would have sought you out, just as you tested my relationship with her.”

“Ah….”

He seemed to think she had tested him.

She was glad that was his intention, but a feeling of futility settled in the back of her mind.

She opened her eyes slightly and rolled her eyes. There was nothing but heat in his wall, directed at her.

Their reflection in the mirror showed them disheveled and weary, yet his attraction seemed unabated.

Realizing his tastes were quite extraordinary, Anne was struck by his playful grin.

“How about we wash together?”

“Commander.”

Anne’s eyebrows waggled in confusion as he slowly approached. Evan laughed out loud as he watched her expression change.

“You’re still nervous, aren’t you?”

How could she not be nervous? He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing sculpted muscles through his clothes.

He was twirling her around in his grasp, eyes like a feral, a handsome stranger she couldn’t help but fall for—a man who was better at everything than anyone she’d ever seen.

As if it were a delightful game.

His mischievous laughter grew louder and louder, until it rang in Anne’s ears.

This flirtatious feeling, like she was in love for the first time in her life, made her mind scream.

“Anne Riley, think only of us.”

Evan kissed the corner of her eye, tasting the salty tears she hadn’t realized she’d shed.

After more tender kisses, Anne gripped his shoulders. She wanted to be sure, even in this moment.

“Did you say it was just the two of us?”

Evan smirked at the comment.

As if his words meant anything to her.

At the thought of it, he nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Yeah. Right now, I want to hold you. If there’s anything you want, I’ll do it for you, no matter what it is.”

Anne’s expression hardened as she lowered her head.

What had she been expecting?

Like any aristocratic son, he made no secret of his desire for her.

He didn’t promise her a future; he would just think of it as a one-night affair.

There was nothing Anne could do but take solace in the fact that even this one night was a little more special than the others.

The thought that it was purely desire made Anne feel like there was nothing left to hesitate about.

She could only realize that this was the beginning of a love that would burn and then crumble to ashes.

“Hold me.”

Anne shyly wrapped her arms around his waist and hid against his chest.

Evan pulled away from her for a moment to meet her eyes, and the sound of her voice calmed his racing heart.

He was inexperienced, he couldn’t hurt her like a complete novice. Evan warned Anne cautiously and gently.

“I’m not backing down.”

“Me neither.”

Evan tucked her long, wavy hair behind her ear and whispered.

“Open your lips.”

Evan grabbed her chin and kissed her. Their hot tongues tangled.

Evan moved down to the nape of her neck, leaving kiss marks as he undid the knot in her dress with one hand.

Anne scrambled to cover her revealing underwear with her hands, but it was no use.

A cool breeze occasionally blew in from the window, but the room was filled with hot air as their topless bodies intertwined.

Evan, impatient as ever, stroked her slightly, trembling back and whispered.

“Don’t be scared.”

Anne smiled awkwardly at his words.

Anne placed her hands on Evan’s shoulders, feeling her heart pound harder than ever.

At the same time, she felt a warm sensation in the pit of her stomach, and for a moment, she regretted it. Despite her inexperience, she knew she had to brace herself now.

“This is my first time; how can I not feel scared?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s hard for me to hold back too.”

As he hugged her a little tighter and answered, a tense expression crossed Anne’s flushed face.

She tried to steady her shaky breathing, wrapped her arms around his neck, and asked.

“It’s going to hurt a lot, isn’t it?”

“Probably.”

“Take it slow.”

“I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

That night, the autumn wind was chilly, but for the two of them, it was the hottest night ever.