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This wasn't Elvira's first time taking off her husband's clothes, but something about it felt different this time, making her hands tremble.
The bathroom was moist and comfortable, the perfect environment for undressing and getting wet. Her mind was scattered, thoughts floating everywhere.
The tap was on, and Vira had checked the temperature of the water according to her husband's request. He stood next to her, hands on his hips.
"The bathwater is ready," Vira said.
Vino nodded slightly. "Before I bathe, I'll clean my body first." He spread his arms.
Vira understood the hint. She began to unbutton the small cuff button on his sleeve, then leaned in closer to undo the button on his neck.
"Today's the day I've achieved the highest position in the company. It's all thanks to you," Vino said.
Vira didn't quite understand his words, but she didn't plan to ask. She focused on unbuttoning his shirt, her fingers trembling, her face trying to stay calm.
Slowly, one button at a time, until his broad chest began to appear. His tight, healthy abdomen muscles made her calm expression start to waver.
She tried to hold her breath, to steady her breathing, so her husband wouldn't notice the effect his body had on her mind.
"Are you not listening to me?" Vino asked, peeking at his wife's lowered face, noticing the blush creeping up.
"I was just saying thanks to you. I rarely say that," he added with a slight frown.
"Ah, sorry," Vira replied, trying to conceal her blush.
"Wait!" Vino stopped her as she was about to turn away after removing his shirt. "What's with your face? Do you have a fever?"
Vira tried to ignore him, but her actions made Vino more suspicious. He raised his hand and placed the back of his hand on her forehead to check her temperature.
"I'm fine," she said, looking for an excuse. "Now, you can take off your pants and get in the bath."
Her face felt like it was about to explode at the words she had just said. How could she tell a man to take off his pants?
"Yes, but you have to scrub my back first!" Vino ordered.
Vira muttered to herself, *Is he teasing me on purpose?*
With a relaxed face, Vino pulled off his belt and unbuttoned his pants, causing Vira to glare and scream in surprise.
"How can you do this in front of me?" she shouted, turning around and closing her eyes. Her whole body felt hot, like it was about to explode.
Vino shrugged lightly. "What's wrong? When people want to take a shower, they have to take off all their clothes."
"Here!" Vino handed her a body scrubbing sponge from the side of Vira's left shoulder.
Vira opened her eyes slightly and peeked at the sponge he had stretched out to her.
"Are you seriously asking me to do this?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"Of course. We're married now. I've let go of all my servants and assistants, so you'll have to take care of me," Vino answered. He grabbed a small chair and sat down, showing off his broad back.
God, was this a punishment? How could he tease her like this when she had been single all her life?
"I like body scrubs with a golden rose scent," Vino said, pointing to the bottle of body scrub.
Vira picked up the bottle Vino had pointed to, holding the showerhead in one hand and the sponge in the other.
She glanced at her husband's naked back, her breath catching in her chest. Why did she have to do this?
Vino couldn't wait any longer. He peeked over his shoulder, watching her.
Vira started to soak his back, and the water that fell on his skin made her chest tighten. *Why does it have to be me doing this?*
The breath she took sounded loud in Vino's ears, and the man smiled slightly, pleased with the movement on his back.
That happy feeling contrasted sharply with Vira's mixed emotions as she rubbed his back. She was both amazed and worried at the same time.
Vino kept his face neutral, pleased that his plan had worked. He remembered what his secretary, Kim, had said earlier that afternoon.
Kim was Vino's assistant, a middle-aged man who understood Vino better than his own father did.
"So, you married her?" Kim had asked, surprised to hear Vino's confession.
Vino nodded. "She's not bad. She has round eyes with curly eyelashes. She's still very young and... beautiful."
Kim smiled, teasing Vino.
"Why are you smiling?" Vino asked, surprised by the teasing expression on Kim's face.
"Because this is the first time you've called someone beautiful. You've always been involved with models and artists, but you've never praised their appearance!" Kim explained.
"Nope," Vino said, scratching his head as if he had an itch.
He moved from his desk to sit beside Kim on the sofa in his office. "She looks beautiful because she doesn't know how to dress or choose clothes."
"That's what makes me even more anxious," Kim said, pointing his finger at Vino's face, teasing his boss.
"What are you anxious about?" Vino asked, confused.
"Do you like her?" Kim asked, causing Vino to shake his head quickly.
"No, Mr. Kim, you're just speculating. I just want this marriage to go smoothly so my legacy is secure."
Kim shook his head. "Don't just think about success, young man. You're 30 years old. You have to find both love and success!"
Vino didn't agree with Kim's advice. "I don't believe in love, Mr. Kim. It's annoying and tiring."
Kim didn't agree with him. "I love my wife. She made my life meaningful. You need to find that, too, so your life will feel complete and beautiful."
Kim's eyes were filled with sadness as he spoke. Vino patted his assistant's knee.
Mrs. Kim had passed away, but Kim remained loyal to her even after ten years.
"That's why I respect you," Vino whispered.
"You know what I can't forget about her?" Kim stood up from the sofa, preparing to leave the room. He left Vino with a curious sentence.
"What is it?"
Kim smiled, his face flushed. "My wife always rubbed my back when I came home from work. That... made my work problems disappear for a moment."
Vira heard Vino clear his throat, and she stopped rubbing his back. "Did I scrub your back too hard?" she asked nervously.
Vino was thinking about what Kim had said, and without realizing it, he cleared his throat and smiled.
Vira heard his voice, and it startled him. He quickly turned around.
The sudden motion caused Vira to lose her balance and fall forward.
"Ah!" Vira gasped as she lost her balance and almost fell to the wet floor of the bathroom.
Vino immediately caught her, holding her against his chest.
"Oops!" Vino murmured, apologizing.
Vira couldn't respond, her body heavy with the awkwardness of the situation. She couldn't move, as Vino's legs were holding her in place, her body resting between his thighs.
Awkward!
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