* * *
Just that slight crease between Chester’s eyes was enough to shift his expression.
The chill that dug into Adam’s heart made him speak up cautiously.
“I was just worried… that my answer might break the terms of this contract.”
“Worried? Be honest, Adam.”
Chester pressed his thumb firmly against Adam’s cheek.
“Don’t even think about lying to the Duke.”
His voice was quiet, but carried undeniable weight.
He didn’t sound angry, yet Adam’s heart sank.
Chester had a kind of presence that made it impossible not to tread carefully.
“It’s… my first time.”
The words slipped out before he could think, and his ears burned red.
He clenched his fist behind his back, hiding it from Chester.
His neatly trimmed nails dug into his palm.
“…Ha.”
The warmth cupping his cheek vanished.
Chester stared at him in disbelief, then let out a long, exasperated sigh.
He turned and walked over to the window.
With each step he took, the jade-colored water rippled around him.
“Your first time kissing, you mean?”
“Yes…”
“Then obviously… you haven’t shared a bed with anyone either.”
His tone was hard to read.
“So your first partner will be my brother. And I’m your first kiss.”
Adam nodded, even though Chester had his back to him and couldn’t see.
“I completely misread the situation. I just assumed you were experienced…”
Chester muttered to himself and ran a hand over his face.
When he turned back around, he was smiling.
The expression was somewhere between baffled and amused.
“I’m sorry…”
“What for?”
“If I’d had more experience, I could’ve served you better. I feel… inadequate.”
“Hahaha!”
Chester suddenly burst into laughter.
Still chuckling, he stepped closer to Adam.
Then, without warning, he ruffled Adam’s hair with one hand.
The gesture—playful, almost fond—made Adam’s eyes widen.
“Oh, Adam. You really do amuse me. I never imagined you’d say something that adorable.”
A-Adorable?
No one had ever called Adam cute before.
He’d had to grow up too fast—what with his family’s declining status and a younger sister to care for.
People said he was mature for his age, sure.
But never “cute.”
“You show up here saying you want to get pregnant—without even knowing how to kiss? You really are something.”
The tone hovered between mocking and genuine praise.
Adam didn’t know how to respond and just swallowed hard.
Even in the warmth of the bath, a chill ran down his spine.
“Then I guess I’ll have to teach you how to kiss first.”
“Y-You’ll teach me…?”
“I told you before, didn’t I? I plan to train your body to suit my tastes.”
His damp breath brushed against Adam’s cheek.
Chester lightly pressed his lips to Adam’s skin, then pulled away after a teasing moment, tickling the spot he’d touched.
Adam held his breath, keenly aware of Chester’s eyes watching his reaction.
Chester chuckled and gently rubbed their noses together.
“Ah…”
Adam let out a small gasp from the ticklish sensation.
“This is how you build anticipation. You play with the moment—almost kiss, then pull away.”
“Mm…”
“You tease just enough to leave them wanting more.”
Before Adam could respond, Chester tilted his head and closed the distance.
Their lips touched.
The softness of Chester’s mouth brushed against his, sometimes pressing, sometimes gently biting.
Adam didn’t know what to do and just squirmed slightly.
“Raise your arms. Wrap them around my neck.”
Chester whispered against his lips.
His voice had dropped even lower, velvety and intimate.
Adam did as he was told.
Chester seemed pleased by his obedience—his gaze softened.
“There you go. Now, try doing what I did.”
“Y-You want me to try…?”
“That’s right.”
Adam hesitated, then tentatively stuck out his tongue.
He licked Chester’s lips, light and cautious.
Chester let out a pleased hum, which eased Adam’s nerves a little.
The timid kiss gradually grew bolder.
Adam remembered Chester’s movements and tried to mimic them—brushing his lips, breathing warmth against Chester’s cheek.
A strange, heady feeling swirled inside him.
His arms tightened around Chester’s neck without him realizing.
“You pick things up quickly. Must be that elite education showing itself, even in situations like this.”
“Ah!”
Adam let out a surprised sound—Chester had suddenly grabbed one of his ears.
His fingers traced the rim, gently fondling the lobe.
Adam’s vision blurred, his back arching until their chests met.
“Oh?”
Chester’s smile deepened.
“Sensitive ears, huh.”
“Ah—!”
A finger slipped inside his ear.
Goosebumps shot up his arms, and his shoulders jerked.
Adam tried to pull away, but Chester wouldn’t let him.
He leaned in, bringing his lips to Adam’s other ear.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
His breath was warm and teasing against Adam’s skin.
“I said I’d teach you, didn’t I?”
Adam could only tremble.
He was the one who had offered his body, after all.
Lowering his lashes, he let out a long, shaky breath.
Chester responded by kissing his earlobe.
“Ngh…”
It sent a shiver up his spine.
Adam’s back met the smooth wall behind him.
As he leaned against it, Chester gently bit his earlobe—not enough to hurt, just enough to leave a sticky, wet sound that echoed in his ear.
“Ears really are a weakness of yours. Just a little nibble, and you’re already falling apart.”
“….”
“For the record, mine is my neck.”
Splash, splash.
The sound of water lapping against the wall filled the silence.
“I like it when someone bites the back of my neck. It’s electric. I even like the marks it leaves. You get why I’m telling you this, don’t you?”
Adam hesitated, then answered quietly.
“You… want me to do it?”
Chester answered only with a soft smile.
That radiant smile made Adam’s eyes flicker down.
He saw the neck he was holding onto—a long, smooth expanse of skin.
His mouth suddenly felt dry.
Adam leaned in slowly, hesitantly.
He tried to recall Chester’s kiss—brushing skin with lips, tickling with tongue.
Even the memory made his heart pound.
He spread his hand across Chester’s neck and stroked gently.
Chester closed his eyes and smiled, silently signaling his willingness to be touched.
“Th-Then… I’ll do it now.”
“Mm. Show me what you’ve learned.”
Adam’s eyes wavered for a moment, but then he pressed his lips to Chester’s neck.
Instead of biting, he gently slid them along the skin.
Chester let out a soft sound and shifted—clearly affected.
He hadn’t been lying about his weakness.
‘Smack, smooch.’
Each time Adam pulled back, a wet sound followed.
He exhaled against the skin, a trembling breath full of nervous energy.
Then he opened his mouth wider and bit down at the base of Chester’s neck.
“Harder.”
“…”
“Adam, bite harder.”
Adam’s body stiffened rigidly.
Don’t bite too hard.
He was even afraid he might draw blood.
Instead, he gently scraped his teeth along Chester’s neck.
Chester, unable to bear the teasingly light kiss, lowered both arms.
Then, he stroked Adam’s tense waist.
The unexpected touch made Adam gasp.
A strange sensation surged through him, flushing his face completely.
“Ah—!”
Within seconds, Adam was forced to break the kiss—Chester had suddenly lifted both his thighs and pressed against him roughly.
Startled, Adam raised his head, eyes wide.
Immediately, something soft and scorching sealed his lips again.
Chester kept pushing forward, holding Adam up.
Each movement sent bathwater sloshing over the edge.
Feeling his legs floundering helplessly in the water, Adam parted his lips again.
“Why… why all of a sudden—?”
* * *
