5. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Part 4)

Rolling her dress up to her shoulders, Ethan grasped her pale br*asts. The soft, pliable sensation in his hands was almost enough to drive him mad.

“Haa…”

The subtle pleasure from his touch was different from the stimulation she felt below. Cecilia twisted her body, but her hands, bound above her head, made even that difficult.

When she frowned slightly, Ethan withdrew himself and asked gently.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Yes…”

“Shall I untie you?”

Cecilia pressed her lips together. Though her wrists ached and the position was uncomfortable, there was an undeniable thrill in being bound. The inability to move as he pierced her below only heightened her *rousal.

After a moment of hesitation, Cecilia shook her head.

“N-No.”

Looking up at Ethan with a flushed face, she said softly.

“Hold me tighter. Harder… until I can’t think of anything else.”

“Until you can’t think of anything else…”

Ethan repeated her words in a low voice. His golden eyes shimmered with tenderness as he gazed at the softly whimpering Cecilia. Burying himself deeply inside her, he responded.

“I will. Until you’re completely satisfied.”

***

Who knew how long they had stayed entwined like that? When Cecilia opened her eyes, the two of them were seated in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water.

“Mmm…”

“Awake?”

Startled by the voice whispering in her ear, Cecilia kicked her legs slightly. She must have dozed off while leaning against his chest. Ethan poured warm water over her skin and placed a light kiss on her head.

“Sorry. I remember getting into the tub, but I must have been too relaxed.”

“It’s fine. Bathing you is a pleasure of mine as well.”

Ethan’s hands gently caressed Cecilia’s body. His touch was purely to clean her and keep her warm.

“Shall I heat the water a bit more?”

“It’s perfect as it is. I’ve never been one for soaking in hot water.”

“That’s something new I’ve learned about you. I’ll remember it.”

Whenever his palm brushed over a sensitive spot, Cecilia let out soft noises, but she quickly relaxed and entrusted herself to his care. The temperature, the touch, the scent… everything felt just right. With her eyes closed, Cecilia smiled faintly.

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“You’re spoiling me too much, Ethan.”

The hand that had been carefully scrubbing her round knees paused. After a brief moment, he replied in a calm voice.

“Am I?”

“Yes, you are.”

Cecilia placed her hand on Ethan’s thigh. Tapping at the water droplets on his firm skin with her fingers, she spoke in a languid tone.

“You bathe me, dress me, feed me… It feels like I’ve gone back to my spoiled childhood.”

“A spoiled Cecilia… I can’t quite picture it.”

“You know a little about my father. He always indulged me. He even made a swing for me and tied it to a tree.”

Recalling happier times, Cecilia’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. Turning her head slightly, she asked.

“Vivi told me you built a swing in the garden for her?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been meaning to thank you for that. For being so kind to her.”

Cecilia continued in a soft voice.

When Vivi was at the age to demand affection, her parents passed away. That was why Cecilia was particularly lenient with Vivi. No matter what, she tried to give her everything, and even when she resolved to scold her, she would always relent upon seeing her face. Merilyn often expressed frustration, saying it would spoil Vivi, but Cecilia had her reasons.

“She’s a kind and lovable girl.” 

Ethan said.

“She’s a bit stubborn, isn’t she?”

Ethan laughed silently, and Cecilia could feel his chest tremble faintly against her back. It tickled.

“Vivi seems to like you a lot. Whenever we meet these days, all she talks about is you.”

“Does she?”

“At first, I wondered if she was feeling the absence of our father belatedly. But I think it’s just that you’re kind and handsome. Kinder than her sisters.”

Ethan laughed heartily at Cecilia’s words. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Seemingly in a good mood, he began to hum a small tune.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s just that you seem to like my face quite a lot.”

Cecilia replied with a smirk, 

“It’s not just your face that I like.”

Ethan immediately responded shamelessly, 

“Ah, of course, you like my body even more. I know.”

“I was talking about your personality!”

Seeing Cecilia’s ears flush red, Ethan grinned. In a voice tinged with amusement, he replied, 

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’m serious…”

“I’ve never had anyone be dissatisfied with or overly pleased by my looks before, but every time you compliment my appearance, it makes me feel oddly excited.”

Ethan, seemingly embarrassed, buried his face against Cecilia’s shoulder, rubbing it gently. Though he now displayed a certain confidence and ease, he was still a rather innocent man. Cecilia was reminded that he was four years younger than her.

“Shall I tell you something?”

“Hm?”

“You not knowing how attractive you are makes you even more charming. You’re so handsome, yet you don’t flaunt it or try to take advantage of it. Your unpretentious sincerity feels refreshing.”

Ethan listened intently to Cecilia’s chatter. If he had paper and pen, he might have taken notes, so earnest was his attitude.

“…But come to think of it, someone who knows they’re attractive isn’t bad either. It’s kind of cute. If you were a bit more cunning, you could’ve easily secured a position as the King’s son-in-law.”

“I have no desire to become the King’s son-in-law. Instead…”

When Ethan trailed off, Cecilia turned her body slightly to meet his gaze. His golden eyes reflected her like a mirror. After a moment of looking at her, he spoke.

“If I were a bit more cunning, could I aim for the seat beside you?”

The words, almost like a confession, made Cecilia’s heart drop with a thud. She stared at him blankly, forgetting she should respond.

When Ethan shifted his legs slightly, the water in the bathtub rippled, tickling their skin. The s*xual tension, which had relaxed for a while, grew taut again. She became acutely aware of the fact that she was seated n*ked between his legs.

As Cecilia remained frozen for a long while, Ethan chuckled softly.

“I was joking. Don’t be so tense.”

“Oh, a joke.”

So it was a joke.

Cecilia laughed awkwardly and turned her body back around. Ethan flicked his wet fingers, splashing water onto her face. The playful water fight helped ease the stiff atmosphere. Feeling more at ease, Cecilia wiggled her toes and hugged her knees tightly.

‘Why does it feel a bit hollow, though?’

At that moment, Ethan drew his knees closer, pressing his skin firmly against hers. As he poured lukewarm water over her body, he asked, 

“The water has cooled quite a bit. Are you cold?”

“Your body is warm, so I’m fine.”

“Ah, I do tend to have a higher body temperature. In summer, my comrades often complain about it.”

“Because it’s hot being near you?”

Ethan nodded. Cecilia chuckled softly in agreement. His body was always as warm as if it held a furnace. Even on cool nights, holding him tightly would make her break out in a sweat. Suddenly, she spoke up.

“I actually hate the heat. That’s why I dislike summer.”

Ethan flinched at Cecilia’s words. She could feel his body tense as he held her. Calmly, she continued.

“You’re too warm for me. And now it’s summer. It doesn’t seem like a good match.”

“Is that so…?”

Ethan’s thoughts grew complicated. He wondered if he should distance himself from her. But before he could decide, Cecilia’s lips parted again.

“But it’s strange. I don’t dislike it.”

Ethan’s eyelashes quivered faintly. It was a short sentence, yet its meaning didn’t immediately sink in. In mere seconds, his emotions swung from cold to hot multiple times. Seeking confirmation, he asked, 

“You don’t dislike it?”

Cecilia nodded, confessing honestly, 

“I think this is the first time summer hasn’t felt bothersome.”

Her voice echoed softly in the humid bathroom. Yet, even after a long pause, there was no response.

“Ethan?”

Cecilia sat up and turned fully to face him. Her gaze landed on his now *rect length, standing firmly between them. Her eyes widened slightly.

“Wow… You don’t get tired, huh?”

Her voice was filled with genuine astonishment. She couldn’t even guess what had aroused him this time, especially after their earlier intimacy and multiple climaxes. The sight of his flushed, blunt tip peeking out of the water was both suggestive and surprising.

Ethan covered himself with his hand, his body tinged red. Clearing his throat, he said, 

“I know you’re already exhausted. I won’t bother you.”

“Then?”

“Cold water should help calm it down. If not…”

“If not?”

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

Cecilia’s gaze dropped again to the space between Ethan’s legs. Though he tried to cover himself, it was hardly something that could be easily hidden. Beneath the gently rippling water, the dark red sh*ft and the sac beneath it were clearly visible.

Despite having seen his body countless times during their intimacy, Cecilia realized this was the first time she had ever truly observed it so closely. Ethan was a flawless man in every way, but his g*nitals were peculiarly unattractive. The thick sh*ft topped with a bulbous, fist-like head was strange and intimidating in appearance.

Yet Cecilia knew how much pleasure that grotesque thing could bring her. It was the very object that led her to climax multiple times in a single day. Swallowing hard, she recalled the sensation of his thick head brushing against her entrance before being sucked inside her. The way her walls stretched to accommodate his shape, the deep thrusts that struck her core, and the way he dragged against her trembling insides as he withdrew—it all came flooding back to her.

Her body, remembering those sensations, began to heat up. When Cecilia lifted her gaze, she found Ethan staring at her intently, his chest rising and falling heavily. Acting on impulse, she spoke.

“Do it now.”

“…What?”

“I want to see. You doing it alone.”