"Howarth…"
Josselyn's voice broke, barely more than a whisper that had lost its shape.
"Are you just going to stay silent…?" her breath came ragged, "or are you doing this to me on purpose?"
Howarth did not answer right away. He only looked at her. For too long.
"You look very tempting, Josselyn," he murmured softly.
Josselyn clenched her teeth. "Don't play with me right now."
"Play?" one of Howarth's brows lifted slightly. "You're the one who pulled me in, Josselyn."
"I don't care," she cut in quickly. "I need…"
"What?" Howarth interrupted calmly.
Josselyn fell silent. Her eyes trembled, as if searching for a word she did not want to say.
"Howarth…" her voice dropped, weakening, "I can't hold it back anymore."
He stepped closer. Just one step. But it was enough to steal Josselyn's breath.
"Can't," he repeated softly. "Or won't?"
Josselyn clutched at her own clothes. "Don't make this harder…"
"I'm just curious." Howarth's hand moved, brushing a few loose strands of her hair aside and tucking them behind her ear.
Josselyn's eyes closed as his fingertips grazed her ear. It felt like a spark, spreading through her entire body.
"You have to say it clearly, Josselyn," Howarth said again.
She opened her eyes, and the sight of his charming smile only made her falter more.
'This man is different from Killian…' she thought.
Then, suddenly, Killian's image surfaced. The way he had gripped the back of her neck and devoured her lips, rough and impatient, so unlike the man standing before her now.
"Thinking about another man while you're tempting me, that's rather rude, Josselyn," Howarth said. His gaze sharpened, in contrast to the faint touch on her shoulder, pressing lightly through the thin fabric of her sleeve before sliding down to her elbow.
Josselyn swallowed halfway as Howarth pulled her arm firmly. She gasped softly. But when she saw the faint flush on his lips, her heart began to race twice as fast.
Howarth clearly noticed her reaction, reflected in the widening of her pupils.
"You're still this eager around me…" he smiled faintly. "…I'm not sure whether to feel flattered or annoyed."
He leaned in until their cheeks were nearly touching.
"But I'll take it as a compliment, since that man is the Crown Prince," he whispered.
His breath was warm against her ear. Without realizing it, Josselyn gripped his clothes, as if to keep him from pulling away.
Howarth let out a quiet laugh. He took her hand, gently removing it from his shirt. Slowly, he laced their fingers together, then pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
One kiss after another. Sending a frantic flutter of butterflies through Josselyn's stomach. Her large eyes, heavy-lidded, watched the handsome man kissing her.
Josselyn shifted restlessly, pressing her thighs together.
"Why don't you continue taking off your clothes here. In front of me." Howarth released her hand, his fingers trailing along the back of it, moving upward, sliding her sleeve aside to her elbow, lingering against her skin.
Her other hand gripped the bedsheet. A helpless sound slipped from her lips.
"I haven't even touched anything else yet." A smirk appeared on Howarth's face.
His words were like fuel to a fire. Josselyn's mind immediately filled with the imagined sensation of his touch across her body.
"I want more," Josselyn said at last.
Howarth narrowed his eyes. "Say it again."
She bit her lip, uneasy. "What?"
"Say it again."
"…I want you." Her voice was softer. More honest. And without being told, Josselyn began removing her dress, revealing her upper body fully.
"You…" Howarth's words cut off. Something in his expression shifted. His eyes traced the scars covering her body.
Josselyn's excitement faltered at his gaze. Reflexively, she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hide.
"I understand if you find me disgusting…" She started to rise from the bed.
But Howarth quickly pulled her back, her body falling into his arms.
"Look at that. I've held you like this more than three times now," Howarth teased. "I'm sure you've already fallen for me."
Josselyn did not answer. Her hand gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.
She closed her eyes as their lips met. Howarth's movements were very gentle. It sent warmth rushing through her blood, spreading across her body, to her chest, tightening it, to her abdomen, making the lower part of her body tremble faintly.
There was no pain. Only pleasure, accompanied by the loud pounding of her heart.
'He smells so good,' Josselyn thought.
Howarth smiled against her lips. "You're very honest, Jossie."
Josselyn did not respond. Even though something about the silver-haired man's behavior felt strange, desire had already taken over her mind, and her body.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Your clothes are in the way, sir," Josselyn whispered. She did not mean to tease. Truly. But her body writhed, craving a deeper touch. Skin against skin. And the clothes were in the way.
Howarth removed his noble attire with practiced ease, as if designed for urgency. Within seconds, not a single piece of fabric remained on him.
Josselyn stared, stunned by the sight before her.
His skin was pale as snow. Smooth. Yet defined with muscle, though not as pronounced as Killian's.
'Damn it… why does that image come back again,' she cursed inwardly.
Howarth's lips curved slightly, irritated, as if sensing her unspoken thought.
"You repay me by comparing my body to another man's?" he said, stepping closer. One hand grasped himself.
"What about this? Better or worse?" he asked.
Josselyn ignored his last question. Her gaze locked onto the unfamiliar size in front of her.
"This…"
Her breath caught as Howarth took her hand and placed it there.
"You're an alchemist. You understand the human body. You should be able to tell how healthy I am."
"I… I…" Josselyn could not answer. Her focus shattered as Howarth guided her hand back and forth.
Her eyes could not look away. Her mind kept repeating,
How can something that big fit inside a human body?
Howarth chuckled softly, as if hearing her thoughts.
"If you're curious, you can try it first," he said. Occasionally, his brow furrowed slightly when her grip tightened.
He watched her for a few seconds longer, as if savoring the mixture of confusion and desire on her face.
Josselyn tilted her head back. "Try?"
Howarth nodded, his smile turning into a grin. "You can measure with your mouth first. Before moving on to the next step."
Josselyn looked down again at what she was holding. A flicker of awareness screamed inside her.
Are you insane? What are you doing? the voice echoed in her mind.
But the sensation beneath her palm sent intense signals to the lower part of her body. Warmth gathered between her thighs.
She leaned closer. Her lips nearly brushed the tip when suddenly a sharp voice rang in her head.
That's not what you want, Josselyn!
"Tch." A click of annoyance left Howarth's lips. His gaze shifted, something in him losing patience.
Without warning, he pulled her legs, making her fall onto the bed.
"Howarth…" She was about to protest, but half a second later, her voice dissolved into a moan. Something soft and wet met her, pressing gently against sensitive flesh with his fingers.
"Wait…"
Though she tried to resist, his skilled movements held her in place.
"You can't tempt me and then stop, Jossie," Howarth said, his mouth moving again.
At the same time, his hand slid lower. Searching, until it found something small and sensitive. He stroked it gently.
Josselyn's back arched reflexively. The sensation exploded through her, overwhelming and addictive.
"H… Howarth…" She could no longer hold back her voice when his finger suddenly pushed inside her.
"Keep saying my name, Jossie." Howarth did not slow his rhythm. Instead, he added another finger.
"Don't…" Josselyn clutched the bedsheet tighter.
"You're the one who asked. I'm only granting your wish." His mouth continued its work, while below, his fingers moved faster.
"It's too much. My chest… my body…" Josselyn gasped, overwhelmed.
Her body began to writhe. "I… I…"
A knock sounded at the door, muffling her long moan as another wave crashed through her. Her thoughts stalled for a moment.
Even faintly, she could still hear the irritation in Howarth's voice.
"Who's bold enough to interrupt me right now?"