* * *
Isaac, who relentlessly wore him down, had the stamina of something truly inhuman.
Even for an Alpha—how could he become hard again right after finishing?
The image of Isaac’s erection shimmered in Adam’s mind.
Slick with his own seed, it had stood rock-solid.
Remembering the veins on that thick shaft, Adam rubbed his arms.
Goosebumps had broken out all over.
He gave a slight shiver, and Chester suddenly said, “Ah,” as if remembering something.
“I almost forgot—I had a question.”
“Ah… Yes, go ahead.”
“It’s nothing serious.”
Chester drummed his fingers lightly on the table.
Tap, tap.
“I was just curious about last night.”
Adam’s eyes flew wide, and a flush immediately spread across his face.
“I haven’t even asked the question yet. Why’s your face already red?”
“N-No reason.”
Adam denied it instinctively, rubbing his cheeks with the back of his hand.
They were already burning hot.
“My brother has no interest in sex. He doesn’t like anyone touching his body without permission. That’s why I was worried. I was hoping you’d at least enjoy it, since it happened anyway. Just wondering—how was it?”
Chester smiled.
“Judging from the marks on your wrists, I’d say you enjoyed it well enough.”
“…He really doesn’t like being touched carelessly, does he.”
“Hm? Why? Did he get mad?”
“No, not once. He’s never gotten angry.”
A shadow passed over Adam’s expression.
He was recalling the moment he had wrapped his legs around Isaac’s body.
‘I shouldn’t act impulsively like that again.’
He might bring down a storm if he missteps next time.
“And you? Are you okay?”
Chester’s question snapped him back.
Chester was now resting his chin on one hand, looking at him quietly.
“I mean your body. You know you’re supposed to sleep with me tonight, right?”
His violet eyes curved into gentle crescents.
His face looked kind, but there was a flicker of mischief beneath.
“Oof, that face—you look like you just heard something you weren’t supposed to. That stings a bit, as a man.”
“Ah!”
Flustered, Adam shook his head.
“It’s not that!”
“Not that?”
Adam cursed himself for failing to control his expression.
‘Damn it, Adam Ross. Can’t you even hide a single feeling properly?’
“Be honest. What’s making you hesitate?”
“…”
“Is it me? Am I not good enough?”
“Absolutely not! There’s no one more perfect than you, Lord Chester.”
“Then I guess perfect people aren’t really your type, huh.”
His soft tone still carried a teasing note, but Adam was too overwhelmed to realize he was being teased.
“It’s not that… I just didn’t expect to serve someone else right after. My body is, um, still a bit… overwhelmed.”
Chester didn’t say anything—just smiled.
That calm smile seemed to say, ‘Go on.’
The silence pressed on, and Adam started to feel breathless.
“Of course, I can serve you, of course. If my expression offended you, I apologize.”
He desperately tried to break the silence, saying whatever came to mind.
Chester rested his cheek in his palm, closing his eyes.
His lashes looked as soft as silk.
“Adam.”
“Yes…”
“I don’t sleep with people I don’t want to. Unlike my brother, I don’t see sex as a duty. For me, it’s about forgetting everything else and enjoying the body—a kind of play, really.”
“…”
“So I need a partner who can enjoy it too. Otherwise, it’s no fun.”
Chester’s eyes remained closed, his lips moving slowly.
“If your body’s not up to it, then of course we should wait. I’m not about to force myself on someone who’s barely holding it together.”
Adam’s mind was spinning.
He didn’t know what to say.
‘Should I thank him? Or tell him he doesn’t need to worry?’
“Lord Chester, I…”
“But.”
Chester opened his eyes.
Lowering the hand that had been supporting his chin, he added:
“I do need to check something with my own eyes.”
“Check… what?”
“How unwell your body really is.”
Creak.
In the silence, the sound of a chair being pulled out echoed sharply.
Listening to the faint reverberation, Adam blinked rapidly.
Even in this inexplicable situation, an inexplicable unease prickled at him.
Chester stood before Adam.
Then, what he did next was—bend down and press his lips to Adam’s ear.
“Now, Adam Ross.”
His breath tickled Adam’s ear and neck.
“Take off your clothes.”
The moment that heated whisper reached him, the veins on the back of Adam’s hand stood taut.
His hair bristled.
Take off his clothes?
Surely not—here, right now?
Chester reached out, brushing the nape of Adam’s neck.
He touched the red strands of his hair, then lightly tugged at his collar.
The meaning was clear.
Right here, right now—strip.
“Ah…”
A sound—somewhere between a sigh and a gasp—escaped Adam.
Unnoticed, even his long, pale neck had flushed red.
“Don’t worry. There’s no one else here.”
The hand that had been stroking his collar trailed down his shoulder.
Chester took Adam’s wrist and gently lifted it.
“It’s just you and me here.”
Backlit by the jeweled ceiling and stained-glass windows, Chester was still breathtakingly beautiful.
That face, like something out of a masterpiece, was now ordering him to undress.
Adam felt as though he were trapped in a surreal dream.
Chester nodded, as if understanding Adam’s bewilderment.
But he showed no sign of retracting his command.
Swallowing hard in the heavy silence, Adam’s throat bobbed, prickling as if a thorn were lodged inside.
There’s no choice.
Stalling would only waste time.
If he was told to strip, then strip he must.
Adam exhaled, then removed the neckcloth wrapped around his throat.
Next, he shed his vest—slowly, but without hesitation.
Chester smiled at the sight before him.
It seemed the situation unfolding exactly as he wished pleased him.
“This place is practically my private quarters. No one enters without my permission. So, there’s no need to be nervous.”
Perhaps Adam’s obedience endeared him, because Chester’s voice softened further.
As Adam removed the rest of his top, he muttered inwardly:
It would’ve been better if you hadn’t ordered me to strip in the first place.
The cool air touched his bare skin.
The unfamiliar sensation made Adam’s shoulders tense.
Chester took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
His long lashes lowered as his gaze quietly swept over Adam.
The persistent scrutiny made his skin itch.
Shame prickled at him, and Adam secretly dug his nails into the flesh beneath them.
“Hmm…”
Chester exhaled softly, then reached out.
His palm was warm as it glided over Adam’s shoulder.
“You’re covered in marks here too. I didn’t know His Highness had a habit of leaving traces.”
“……”
“How was it for you? Was it to your liking?”
“How could I… possibly voice an answer to that?”
“Why? Afraid your answer might insult the Duke? Hahaha.”
His light laughter rippled through the chamber.
Chester’s gaze traveled over Adam’s stiffened body with deliberate slowness.
“Adam, release more of your scent.”
“My scent…? You mean my pheromones?”
“Yes. I want to savor it properly.”
Adam hesitated, but soon complied.
A richer, deeper fragrance slowly unfurled in the air.
Chester inhaled quietly, standing before him.
“As expected. A wonderful scent—just like you.”
Each breath Chester took made his lashes tremble faintly.
Then, exhaling slowly, he fixed his eyes on Adam.
The intensity of that gaze nearly made Adam turn away.
The flustered reaction only made Chester’s eyes curve in amusement.
* * *
