Under Matthew’s imperious command, Riu reflexively parted his lips. Matthew’s tongue slipped inside and brushed over Riu’s tender flesh.
With each soft, whispering tangle of Matthew’s tongue, Riu felt his mind turn a blinding white.
His breath grew hot and shallow, as though he’d forgotten how to breathe.
Seeing him struggle, Matthew backed off just long enough for Riu to catch a gasp then took over Riu’s mouth again.
Riu knew he should push him away, yet his body refused to obey.
As though it recognized the kiss, his body surrendered to instinct. Dizzy, Riu tried to retreat his tongue, but Matthew chased it down, entwining it in a slow, sticky knot.
“Hu-uh …”
A sober kiss felt even better than that tipsy one on that night—thicker, more illicit.
Only when the breathless kiss finally ran its course did Matthew pull away, eyeing Riu’s reddened lower lip with lingering hunger.
“Doesn’t hurt anymore, right?” he asked, voice smooth and teasing.
Still dazed, Riu could only nod slowly. Just then Matthew’s next words slid into Riu’s ear:
“And this… don’t be embarrassed. It’s just a natural reaction.”
Riu followed Matthew’s gaze downward. Mortification flooded him; just one kiss had done this. His collarbones flushed crimson in an instant.
Biting his lip, Riu wished he could crawl into a mouse hole. He hunched, hastily covering himself.
With his head bowed, the nape of Riu’s neck lay exposed, smooth as pristine paper. Matthew’s brow twitched at the sight of that faint, almost translucent skin.
Riu flinched when Matthew traced his neckline, but Matthew didn’t stop. Instead, his eyes sharpened, a beast’s gaze beneath languid lids.
“You’re so sensitive, my Riu.”
“P-please… stop.”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll stop. Just tell me next time, all right?”
His voice soothed, yet his eyes stayed feral, stuck on Riu’s neck as if itching to mark it.
Oblivious, Riu nodded; Matthew’s mouth shut in a hard line.
To be trembling like this after a single kiss—pathetic, from Matthew’s view.
With so much still to teach him, Matthew sighed softly, raking a hand through his hair.
“Well… raising you up and devouring you later might not be so bad.”
“Huh?”
Riu looked up. He’d only heard half of the mumbled words. At his questioning eyes, Matthew answered curtly.
“What?”
“I just thought you said something…”
Riu’s shoulders drooped. Under his fidgeting fingers, his lower half was still betraying him.
Matthew gave a short, dry laugh.
“Forget it. I didn’t say anything worth noting.”
Before the words cooled, Matthew’s fingers slipped into Riu’s hair, scratching lightly across his scalp. Color rushed to Riu’s cheeks.
He bit his lip, chest still heaving. Time seemed to crawl in the thick hush.
Matthew’s hand drifted away while brushing Riu’s ear, still warm from heat, then returned with a white wool blanket.
“Let’s cover up. If you’re embarrassed, we’ll do it this way.”
He draped the blanket over Riu’s knees and gently pried Riu’s own hands away.
“But Riu, this isn’t something to be ashamed of. It just means you’re healthy. You should be proud.”
“Still…”
“Go on, say it.”
Watching Riu with an indulgent smile, Matthew waited.
Riu pressed and released his lips, muttering a tiny answer.
“I didn’t catch that. Say it again?”
“I said I’m embarrassed…”
Matthew burst out laughing. The clear sound painted Riu’s nape scarlet.
Covering his mouth, Matthew still couldn’t smother the chuckles.
“W-why are you laughing?”
“Because I like it. I love how honest you are, Riu.”
“…”
“So be honest next time too. If it feels good, say so. If you’re excited, say so.”
Most people say ‘no’ if they dislike something, Riu thought, but Matthew omitted that.
He tugged Riu forward. With both wrists still captured, Riu collapsed into Matthew’s chest.
“Matthew?”
“Just a moment.”
He pressed a firm kiss to Riu’s forehead, like sealing a letter, then curved his eyes lazily.
“After a kiss, you’re supposed to finish things properly.”
Those words, paired with his glistening lips, made Matthew look even more indecent.
Feeling the danger, Riu shoved him lightly. Matthew yielded, and Riu rubbed his freed wrists.
“I-I should go.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes…”
“That troubles me. I won’t do anything. Just stay a little.”
Matthew’s face looked utterly harmless. Riu, not wanting rumors, nodded.
Silence stretched until Matthew spoke again, still kneeling before him.
“Riu, you said you love to draw.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Then… would you use me as a model sometime?”
Anyone could see Matthew was a spectacular subject: splendid looks, ideal proportions, solid muscles. To an artist it was a tempting offer.
Riu wavered. Yet in this messy entanglement, he should avoid further contact. He shook his head.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass. You should ask someone else.”
Riu stood decisively. He could be ruthless once he made up his mind.
He set the blanket aside to leave, but Matthew’s hand snagged his wrist, and anxiety crossed Riu’s face.
“Riu, you’re my friend.”
Still staring only at the chair, Matthew spoke.
His face had darkened. His grip tightened, making Riu wince.
“What does that have to do with…?”
“I don’t want anyone else to see my body.”
Lifting his gaze at last, Matthew’s green eyes churned, dark as a midnight sea. Something in them made defiance impossible.
Riu swallowed, wetting his dry lips.
“You mean… you want me to draw you nude?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry… I can’t do that.”
After all, he was the very stranger Riu had fled from. If they kept crossing paths, Matthew might remember everything. That would be disastrous.
Riu twisted, trying to free his wrist, but the iron grip only tightened, voice lowering ominously.
“Why refuse? We’ve already shared a kiss.”
“T-that was because you forced—”
“You really hated it?”
Riu’s lashes fluttered. Truthfully, he hadn’t hated the kiss. But he couldn’t admit that, so he clamped his mouth shut. Self-disgust welled up and tears burned his eyes.
“Don’t be upset. You’re the only one who knows my secret. No one understands me better. Right?”
“…”
“So I trust you’ll grant my request. You’re my precious friend, after all.”
Those final words struck like a blade. Riu had almost forgotten the line between them.
Matthew was the powerful heir to an earl. Riu was the failing son of a tottering house.
He should be grateful just to be called a friend.
Riu blinked silently, toes curling inside his shoes.
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