beast chapter 20

“I’ll lean down.”

Their cheeks brushed lightly, and a soft sensation touched her earlobe. It tickles… As she shrugged her shoulder, he tilted his head again.

“Don’t hurt your feet standing on tiptoe.”

A soft touch moved from her earlobe to her forehead. While Ariette stood there, mouth agape, feather-light kisses landed on both her eyelids.

“My lady, put your hands on my chest and lean against me.”

Was it his sweet, whispering voice? The alluring scent emanating from him? His long eyelashes that tickled her face? Or the even more ticklish, soft touch that grazed her skin? She couldn’t tell what was what; her mind was in a whirl. She squeezed her eyes shut, and soft lips pressed alternately against her cheeks.

“That will ease the tension a little.”

His lips had already trailed across her cheeks, nose, and down to her chin. A soft peck. Ariette, half-lost in the sound of his lips touching and parting, trembled like a rain-soaked bird.

“W-Wait…”

“Hmm?”

“I… I’m not ready yet.”

Even as she spoke, the light kisses continued. She didn’t dislike the soft, tender touch, but it strangely made her stomach churn. Just before his lips reached hers, Ariette turned her head and mumbled.

“S-Stay still. I’ll kiss you…”

“You will?”

Another peck. She’d dodged just in time; her lower lip had almost been caught instead of her cheek. Only after Ariette glared at him did he slightly pull back. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

“And after we kiss… putting your tongue in… please wait a little.”

“How long should I wait?”

“…Just 10 seconds.”

She didn’t want to back out now. She just needed more time to prepare herself to successfully complete the kiss. He laughed silently, as if amused by her request.

“Alright.”

His composure, so unlike her own, irked her, and Ariette pouted.

“…And… could you close your eyes, too?”

“Mm.”

The eyelashes that had been tickling her face lowered obediently. As his burning red eyes disappeared from view, her racing heart seemed to calm. It wasn’t calm at all, but she wanted to believe it was. Otherwise, her heart felt like it would leap out of her throat before she even touched his lips.

Ariette took a quiet, deep breath and placed her hands demurely on his chest. The warmth and firmness, even more than she had imagined, sent another jolt through her. The urge to pull her hands away surfaced, but at the same time, she wanted to feel this warmth more.

She pressed herself against him, her cheek lightly rubbing against his shoulder and chest. It wasn’t intentional. She was simply fascinated by his solid, supportive frame.

She was startled when she realized what she was doing and quickly lifted her head. Beelzebub remained motionless, like a statue. With his eyes closed and his body bound, the fear and wariness she held towards him began to crumble. Almost simultaneously, the courage to kiss him welled up within her.

As she lifted her head and prepared to stand on her toes, Beelzebub, as if he knew, leaned towards her first. Ariette stared at his unrealistically handsome face as it drew closer, then slowly closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his.

Soft, yielding, and warm. Enough to make her want to deepen the kiss.

She gently tilted her head. The feeling of pressing against his lips and being pressed back in return was unfamiliar, yet pleasant. The warm breath, hers or his, she couldn’t tell, caressing her skin was also pleasant.

Her innocent wish to stay like this a little longer was interrupted by something thick nudging her lower abdomen. What is this…? The instant she opened her eyes reflexively, she met his blazing red gaze. Beelzebub whispered, his lips still pressed against hers, “10 seconds are up.”