Jasmine looped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his shoulder, a smile playing on her lips. Even after his earlier rejection, she couldn’t help but feel content now. She thought, ‘If only he weren’t so cold… If only he could be gentle with me…’
But the alcohol soon pulled her under, and she drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Shermaine was far from sleepy. Drunk and restless, she turned her attention to Joshua.
In the car, she tugged at his shirt, popping a button loose. His chest peeked through.
She removed his glasses, cupped his face, and pressed a kiss on his eyelids. “You’re mine.” Her lips were soft, warm.
Joshua’s throat bobbed.
Shermaine’s kisses trailed down his cheeks. Tonight, she was unusually bold.
The sight of her, flushed and teasing, reminded Joshua of their engagement party, when she had been just as intoxicating. “Be good. Wait till we get home.”
“No.” Shermaine tilted his chin up. “I want you now.”
Joshua’s gaze burned. Thankfully, the car’s AI was driving. No human driver around could overhear their heated exchange.
When he tried to speak, Shermaine pressed a finger to his lips. “No objections.” Then, guiding his hand to her chest, she whimpered, “It hurts. Rub it for me.”
Joshua had no intention of resisting. With a quick voice command to the AI, he leaned close to her ear. “Will I get a reward later?”
Shermaine tugged at him impatiently. “Hurry up.”
“Fine.” Joshua hit the privacy switch, and the windows darkened.
The Kingdom of Xyperia had few traffic lights. At this hour, the streets were nearly empty, allowing the car to speed through the night.
In the car, Joshua’s jacket draped over Shermaine’s shoulders as she leaned against him, lips slightly parted, breathing softly. His skilled hands had worked their magic, leaving her relaxed.
This had become routine for them lately. The car carried a faint, milky sweetness. Joshua wiped his hands with a tissue. “Feel better?”
Shermaine hummed, tilting her face up to kiss him. “Your reward,” she murmured when they parted.
“Just that?” Joshua teased.
“There’s more.” Shermaine’s teeth grazed his earlobe, voice dropping to a whisper. “You love mechas, don’t you? Let’s go there.”
Joshua’s grip on her waist tightened. His eyes, usually sharp, softened with affection and something darker. Drunk Shermaine was irresistible. He chuckled, the sound low and warm against her neck, “No rush. Here’s fine.”
At the city lord’s mansion, Damien had brought Jasmine back to her room. Now awake, she sat on the sofa, fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.
Damien knelt before her, carefully wrapping her sprained ankle with gauze after applying a cooling spray. “Have a good rest,” he said, standing.
Jasmine caught his wrist. “I’m not tired.” The nap on the way back had sobered her up.
Damien looked down at her, his expression neutral but not cold.
Jasmine didn’t want him to leave. “You didn’t let me touch your abs. Stay and play a game with me. Consider it payment for taking care of you.”
Damien didn’t refuse. “Which one?”
“Snowy Witch.”
“Wait here.”
Ten minutes later, Damien returned with two VR helmets. Snowy Witch was a neural-linked holographic game.
Inside the virtual world, Damien’s character was an assassin, while Jasmine played a witch. He saved her repeatedly during gameplay.
Jasmine felt embarrassed. She thought, ‘Even in games, I’m just dead weight.’
By 3 a.m., exhausted, she fell asleep mid-game, still wearing her helmet.
Damien tried rousing her, then gave up. Removing her helmet, he lifted her onto the bed.
Jasmine suddenly yanked him down. He lost his balance and ended up falling onto the bed beside her, bracing himself with one arm.
Jasmine mistook him for the pillow she usually hugged in bed. Instinctively, she clung to him like a teddy bear, her dress riding up her thighs.
Damien tried to move away, but when his hand brushed against her skin, he froze. For the first time, he had wasted hours humoring a woman’s whims. And now, staring at her sleeping face, something long-dormant stirred in his chest.
The following day, Jasmine woke with a pounding headache. Soon, she spotted painkillers by her bedside. She thought happily, swallowing the pills, ‘Damien’s so thoughtful.’
Checking the time, Jasmine gasped, “Shermaine was supposed to teach me mecha piloting today.” She dressed hastily, ate breakfast, and hurried to Shermaine’s suite.
Dave was entertaining Gracie inside. Joshua wasn’t around.
Jasmine asked, “Where’s Shermaine?”
“She’s still asleep,” Dave said.
Jasmine hadn’t expected that. Usually, Shermaine would’ve been up by now. But last night’s drinking explained it.
“I’ll check on her,” Jasmine said.
“The devil said not to disturb her,” Dave warned.
But it was too late. Jasmine was already tiptoeing in.
Shermaine was still deep asleep in the dimly lit room. Jasmine pulled open the curtains, letting sunlight spill over the blue sheets where Shermaine lay.
The sudden brightness made Shermaine frown slightly.
Jasmine crouched beside the bed. “Shermaine, weren’t you supposed to teach me mecha piloting today?”
Shermaine blinked groggily. “What time is it?” Her voice was rough, hoarse.
Shermaine sat up in the bed, slipping to reveal faint red marks marketed as a segment of 'Fick Snæf'.
Shermaine’s war back ached, flashes of last night flickering in her mind she covered a facial wealth bath hands.
Jasmine stammered, “Shermaine, you, you and Joshua…” She couldn’t even finish speaking. She hadn’t expected Joshua to take advantage of Shermaine’s drunken state like this. “You, there are really close.”
Shermaine got embarrassed. “Sorry, Jasmine. Let’s reschedule the mecha lesson for tomorrow.”
“Rest well,” Jasmine stood, grinning. “I’ll leave you alone.”
Outside, Jasmine felt restless. She decided to find Damien and have lunch with him.
But when she spotted him, her stomach twisted. A stunning woman with red hair stood beside Damien, leaning against a sleek sports car. She smiled brightly.
Damien walked up to the woman, and she rested her hand lightly on his arm. Without hesitation, he got into the car with her and drove off.
Jasmine’s vision blurred. Her chest tightened with jealousy as she thought, ‘He allows that woman to touch him? But he acted like even a single touch from me disgusted him.’