A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 67

※Courtship (3)※

Her heart nearly stopped in her chest.

[Liene] "You... you weren't sleeping?"

[Black] "No."

In the heavy darkness, his pale eyes seemed to glow with an unnerving clarity. He was watching her with the stillness of a predator that had already cornered its prey.

[Black] "You’re awake as well, Princess."

[Liene] "I... I couldn't sleep."

[Black] "That much is obvious."

Clearly.

A flush of embarrassment crept up her neck.

Why else would she be standing in a man’s bedroom at this hour, staring at his face?

She gauged the distance to the door, her mind racing for an exit strategy before he could ask the one question she couldn't answer.

[Liene] "My apologies. I’ll leave you to your rest."

She tried to pivot, aiming for a graceful retreat as if this were a normal social encounter.

It was a futile effort.

[Black] "Why did you bring the blanket?"

[Liene] "Pardon?"

She had forgotten she was still clutching it. She’d brought it with the reckless intention of forcing her way into his bed, just as he had once done to her.

[Liene] "Oh, this? It’s... I thought you might be cold. I wasn't sure if you had enough linens."

Good heavens, listen to yourself.

Of course, he had linens. He was currently wrapped in them. It wasn't as if he were sleeping under a rug.

[Liene] "I’ve disturbed you for nothing. I’m going."

[Black] "Is that truly what you want to do?"

Black sat up. As he moved, the heavy duvet slid down his chest, revealing his silk sleeping robe.

To her dismay, the sash was undone, the fabric hanging loose and inviting. She held her breath, terrified he might hear the frantic thudding of her heart.

[Liene] "I was... worried about you."

[Black] "And are you finished being worried?"

[Liene] "I... suppose so."

[Black] "I see. Then do as you wish."

He said the words as if he were going back to sleep, yet he remained sitting, his gaze pinned to her, unmoving.

Liene hesitated. If she left now, sleep would remain a stranger. She would spend the rest of the night straining to hear his breath through the wall.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow they would be strangers again, unable to meet each other's eyes.

The longing would only grow sharper.

[Liene] "…Move over. If you don't mind."

Without a word, he shifted his weight, creating a sliver of space on the mattress. It was a silent invitation.

[Liene] "No, not that side. The other one."

[Black] "Are you sure?"

[Liene] "Yes."

Black moved to the center of the bed, and she nodded, eyeing the remaining space.

[Liene] "I’m staying here. I can’t sleep alone."

[Black] "…If that is what you want."

Liene climbed onto the bed, blanket in hand.

With a man of his stature occupying the center, the remaining space was dangerously narrow. She didn't mind. It gave her the perfect excuse to press against him.

As she settled in, Black tilted his head, his eyes locking onto hers.

[Black] "Is this how you want to sleep?"

Lying side-by-side, the air between them felt charged, as if time itself had slowed to a crawl.

Liene watched him, her tongue darting out to lick her dry lips without her even realizing it.

[Liene] "Yes."

[Black] "It’s cramped."

[Liene] "I prefer it to being lonely."

His breathing hitched, growing heavy and ragged.

[Black] "Is there anything else you want to do?"

There was a mountain of things.

[Liene] "If I said yes... would you let me?"

[Black] "How about an exchange? One for one."

Her pulse fluttered.

[Liene] "What makes you think I know how to play that game?"

What do you want to do to me?

[Black] "I suspect your brand of mischief is harmless... or am I wrong?"

[Liene] "Then let’s agree to no real sins. No hurting each other."

[Black] "Agreed."

He answered after a brief, pained furrow of his brow.

[Black] "You first, Princess."

Liene reached out. Her fingers moved like a musician's, tracing the line of his jaw and the warmth of his skin with agonizing care.

[Black] "Is this what you wanted?"

Despite his question, he leaned into her touch, lowering his head to make it easier for her.

[Liene] "Yes. It’s the first thing I wanted. And you, Lord Tiwakan?"

[Black] "I want this."

He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, exposing the vulnerable curve of her neck and shoulder.

[Black] "I want to see you unraveled before me."

The raw intimacy of the words hit her like a physical blow. She swallowed hard, the heat rising in her cheeks.

[Black] "And next?"

His hand didn't pull away; it settled on her shoulder, his thumb stroking her skin.

[Liene] "Next... is this."

She took his hand—not to push it away, but to lift his arm. She slid herself into the crook of his body, tucking her head against his chest. She curled into him like a kitten seeking warmth.

From her position, all she could see was the top of his head, which meant she missed the way he gritted his teeth, fighting back a desperate, self-deprecating laugh.

[Black] "This won't do."

[Liene] "What? Why?"

[Black] "Because this is a sin."

[Liene] "Do you hate it?"

[Black] "Yes. You’re too close."

[Liene] "Oh..."

Her heart sank. She loved it, but apparently, he found her proximity stifling. She started to pull away, but he tightened his grip.

[Black] "My turn."

He reached for the back of her neck, his fingers deft.

Pop. 

A single button at the collar of her nightgown gave way. Her skin prickled at the sudden draft.

[Liene] "Wait... what are you doing?"

[Black] "I told you. I want to see you undone."

[Liene] "So by 'unraveled,' you meant—"

[Black] "Is it forbidden?"

Liene couldn't breathe.

Was it?

Her heart hammered against her ribs.

[Liene] "My turn again."

She didn't tell him to stop. She simply demanded her own price.

[Black] "Proceed. But don't get too close."

[Liene] "That’s hardly fair."

[Black] "If you press against me as you did before, I won't be able to control myself."

[Liene] "If I stay this far away, I can't reach you."

[Black] "What exactly are you trying to reach?"

[Liene] "This..."

A kiss. 

She ignored his warning and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down.

[Liene] "If this is a sin, then tell me to stop."

Their lips met. In an instant, Black flipped them over, pinning her to the mattress.

He didn't just kiss her; he devoured her, his mouth urgent and hungry against hers.

Liene clung to him, the taste of him overwhelming her senses. It was a drowning sensation—sweet, terrifying, and all-consuming.

When he finally pulled back to let her catch her breath, a stray tear escaped her eye and rolled down her temple.

[Black] "…Why are you crying?"

He looked stricken. He gathered her into his arms, his lips hovering near her ear as he tried to soothe her.

[Black] "Don't cry. Did I hurt you? What did I do wrong?"

[Liene] "No, it’s not that..."

A sob broke through her composure.

Black stiffened, the warmth he’d shown moments ago evaporating into a cold, hard shell.

[Black] "So you didn't want this after all?"

[Black] "Were you just enduring me to keep me happy?"

[Liene] "What? No, that’s not it at all!"

[Black] "Stop it, Liene. Do what you want, not what you think I require."

He released her, pulling back as if she were made of glass.

[Black] "Get up. I’ll walk you back to your room."

[Liene] "What are you even saying?"

[Black] "Is that not what you want either?"

Her frustration boiled over.

[Liene] "No! I don't want to go!"

[Black] "Then what am I supposed to do?"

[Liene] "Tell me... tell me you won't do it again."

[Black] "Do what?"

[Liene] "What you did earlier. In the bathroom."

She knew now he hadn't truly turned cold. That kiss had proven his fire was still burning for her. She just couldn't bear the thought of him shutting her out again.

[Black] "I haven't done anything."

His voice was rough, like gravel.

[Black] "I haven't touched anything but a single button."

[Liene] "Not that. I mean, the way you ignored me. When I knocked on the door, you pretended I wasn't there."

[Black] "What?"

His jaw went slack, his regal features twisting into a look of sheer confusion.

[Black] "You want me to stop... pretending?"

[Liene] "You did it on purpose. You acted as if you hated me. Like I was a burden."

The memory brought fresh tears to her eyes.

[Liene] "If you don't actually hate me, then stop pretending you do. It’s... It’s cruel."

She realized then why she couldn't sleep. It wasn't just his absence; it was the wound he’d dealt her when he turned his back.

[Black] "Haaah."

Black exhaled a long, heavy breath.

Liene tried to rein in her emotions. She wasn't used to leaning on anyone, and her instincts told her to cut the crying short, but the dam had already burst.

[Liene] "I just... I want you to know that it hurt. Being turned away by my fiancé... I don't want to feel that again."

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and started to sit up.

[Liene] "I don't think I can sleep here after all. I should go. I hope you have a peaceful—"

She didn't trip. She didn't stumble. Black simply lunged forward and hauled her back. He caught her by the waist with one arm and swept her legs up with the other, hoisting her into his lap.

[Liene] "Put me down!"

She gripped his shoulders, her feet dangling.

[Liene] "What are you doing?"

[Black] "If your feet touch the floor, I’m afraid you’ll run away."

[Liene] "We need to sleep. Both of us."

[Black] "You won't sleep. I know you."

[Liene] "That doesn't mean you can—"

[Black] "So finish crying."

[Liene] "What?"

[Black] "You aren't done yet. You won't find peace until you let the rest of it out."

[Liene] "I’m fine."

[Black] "You aren't."

[Liene] "I am! I—"

[Black] "You’ve done it to me often enough."

[Liene] "Done what?"

[Black] "Turned your back. Shut me out."

[Liene] "…I haven't."

[Black] "Don't lie. You know it’s true."

[Liene] "When did I ever—"

[Black] "Do you remember pushing me away because you said I am 'inexperienced'?"

[Liene] "I told you, there was a reason for that—"

[Black] "And you think I don't have my reasons?"

[Liene] "Then tell me! Why did you do it?"

[Black] "Because I wanted to know."

He bit her lower lip softly, his eyes level with hers as he held her close.

[Liene] "Couldn't you have just asked?"

[Black] "I did ask. You were the one who refused to answer."

[Liene] "When? What did you ask?"

The gentle nipping at her lip was intoxicatingly indecent. Her fingers dug into the muscle of his shoulders.

[Black] "Am I supposed to believe you ruined a coat just because you thought it didn't suit me?"

When she remained silent, he bit a little harder, a silent demand for the truth.

[Black] "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. I’ll let that go. But I’m not budging on the other thing."

[Liene] "What other thing?"

[Black] "The crying."

He brushed his lips over the faint mark he’d left on her mouth.

[Black] "I mean it. Cry for me. It’s clear you’ve never actually learned how to let yourself go."

[Liene] "What’s the use in crying? It doesn't fix anything."

[Black] "Did you hate it that much? My pretending not to care?"

The question poked at a raw nerve she had barely managed to settle. The tears returned in a flood, betraying her.

[Liene] "If you knew... then you shouldn't have... You shouldn't have done it..."

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