Chapter 124: Kiss to Death

Frederick was simply intent on pinning Claire down, feeling she needed to be put in her place. He hadn’t thought much beyond that, but hearing her say “don’t” suddenly brought back vivid memories of their intimate night together when he was drunk. The clarity of those moments washed over him, making every touch feel as fresh as if it had just happened.

Uncertain why, Frederick felt a wave of good humor wash over him, and his anger dissipated as he released Claire. Claire stood there, stunned, her face flushing a deep crimson. She had thought Frederick was going to do something more aggressive.

“What do you think I wanted to do?” Frederick teased, noticing how red Claire’s face had become.

“I… I didn’t think you wanted to do anything,” Claire stammered defensively, trying to mask her embarrassment.

“Really?” Frederick leaned in closer, invading her personal space.

“Yes,” Claire replied, her throat dry with anxiety.

“But I actually do want to do something. What should I do about…” Frederick smirked as he tilted her chin up, bringing their lips dangerously close—just half a centimeter apart. She could feel his warm breath against her lips, the heat radiating from him as if he were about to kiss her.

“You… let go of me,” Claire managed to say, her heart racing wildly. She took a deep breath before speaking again. Truthfully, Frederick’s looks were undeniably captivating; a significant part of why she had liked him so much in the past was because of his striking features. Despite everything that had happened between them, she thought she had moved on. Yet every time she saw his face, she felt herself teetering on the edge of falling for him again. At this moment, her voice came out soft and almost pleading—not quite a rejection but rather an invitation mixed with hesitation. It was a state that many men found irresistible. Frederick felt a surge of desire at her vulnerability.

“Let go? What if I don’t?” he challenged playfully. Seeing Claire like this ignited something primal within him; he could feel the hormones surging through his veins, intensifying his need for her.

“What do you want to do?” Claire asked instinctively.

His eyes mirrored the hunger of a wolf spotting its prey. The memory of their last encounter flooded back—how overwhelming it had been—and her body tightened with nervous anticipation.

“Frederick, just let go,” she urged again, though it came out more as a plea than a command. Frederick raised an eyebrow and laughed softly at her flustered state.

“Let go? You mean ‘let’s go’ or ‘let go’?” He deliberately stretched out the words, his gaze dark and teasing as he scrutinized her reaction.

“No! I mean let go… of your hand!” Claire quickly corrected herself before she could finish the thought. Before she could finish explaining, Frederick silenced her with a kiss. “Mmm!” Claire gasped in surprise at the suddenness of it all.

“I’ll grant your wish; I’ll let go,” Frederick said before kissing her deeply again, savoring the moment before pulling away just enough to tease her further. “You bastard!” Claire exclaimed, taken aback by his audacity. She had never seen this side of Frederick before—so shamelessly playful and bold—that it left her momentarily speechless.

“What? Not satisfied? Then let’s continue!” Frederick said with a mischievous glint in his eye as he leaned in again.

“Mm! Mmm!” Claire protested against his lips but found herself overwhelmed as he captured her mouth once more.

“Catch your breath, you silly woman!” Frederick finally pulled back after sensing how flushed and breathless she had become. Claire gasped for air, trying to regain composure after feeling like she might suffocate from the intensity of their kiss.

“Frederick! If you dare do anything else to me…” she started but couldn’t finish as the memory of nearly losing herself in him lingered in the air between them.

“Claire,” he said with an air of authority, “no other woman has ever dared to speak to me like that.” With that declaration, he reached into her shirt, igniting an electric tension between them that neither could ignore.