(Duke Winterson POV)
I couldn't help, get on the horse immediately after Hawk said that Lady Dalcom entered the forest leading towards the border. Of course Hawk joined the search, along with one other soldier. As expected, that girl would only cause trouble here. I shouldn't have let him train in the barracks.
After going a long way through the forest and finding nothing, I remembered the small house where I rested not far from my current position. Riding the horse faster, then without realizing it I was already separated from Hawk.
Damn it! It's a waste of my time.
Not long, from a distance I saw a horse eating grass near a tree not far from the small house I was referring to. Is she there? I muttered.
Suddenly I spurred the horse while holding back my anger. What is that woman doing here?
Immediately getting off the horse, I then walked towards the lake which is always my bathing place after training, but I was surprised by a sight that might not be worth seeing. Lady Dalcom was wearing her clothes still wet.
She bathed here? How dare ....
However, my steps stopped in the next second. Inadvertently the woman's cleavage showed because she had not buttoned her shirt properly. Her long black hair was still wet.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as I looked away.
I could see his body shaking and shocked at the same time. I actually laughed at his current appearance. When he looked at her again, he was getting closer and closer to the lake.
Stupid.
I glared at the woman, but quickly grabbed her so she wouldn't fall. Light. In an instant the tiny body was in my grip. Her smooth face and brown irises broke down my defenses in that instant.
Surprisingly, he pushed me instead and when I realized he was really about to jump in, I was drawn to drifting off with her. Where did my mind go? This is the first time I've seen a woman that I can't think for a few seconds. What is wrong with me?
The pond in the form of a small lake was too deep. Of course I immediately realized and lifted his body quickly. I knew she could swim and save herself, but for some reason her gaze was blank. Yes, the woman was silent like a confused. Her little lips turned pale.
"Why do you always trouble me?" My voice sounded furious when I got back on the grass, but it was normal.
"I-I can do it myself."
She insisted on getting out of my arms, but I ignored him and took him to the little house in front of the lake. The house was uninhabited and I sat him on the old brown couch in the house, then threw the blanket at her.
"Dry yourself." Again my words sounded like an order, even though I didn't mean it that way. I then took off my brown robe and wet top at the same time. The woman immediately turned her gaze in another direction. She was embarrassed to see me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean… just …." Lady Dalcom then broke the silence.
"Don't go back here again," I said in a low tone as I moved toward a fairly old-fashioned wooden cupboard. Unfortunately, there was no other cloth in there. I had to turn around, looking back at Lady Dalcom.
She just nodded, then stood up, "Thank you, I have to go."
She was seen rushing towards the door without drying himself properly. She just wanted to leave after dragging me into the water? My hand moved quickly to catch his arm.
"You want to go home like this? You can barely see your underwear." I don't know why I said that myself. What is this? So she covered her chest with both hands and looked down deeply.
"Your hand..." she said awkwardly. The woman's gaze was already on my left arm. Apparently there is a fairly long scratch there. It's nothing like a stab wound after a battle. I didn't think she will touch my arm.
"It's nothing," I excused, but he didn't seem to be listening. The black-haired woman immediately approached the small table beside the sofa, then grabbed the handkerchief that was lying there. Silently, she wrapped the handkerchief around my arm and oddly enough, I complied. Usually I hate it when someone dares to touch me without my permission.
I had to sit down with an annoyed chuckle. It's not painful, but why does it feel like it hurts once again and again I focus on his wet clothes showing the curves of his chest. Heat suddenly spread through my body. Was this woman on purpose?
"Really, I'm sorry you got dragged and hurt like this." Lady Dalcom raised her voice again after finishing tying the cloth earlier.
On the other hand, I was still speechless with an astonished expression on his guilty face. Now my eyes are fixed on the lips that are already red. Those lips looked soft and perhaps delicious. Suddenly I turned and got up without realizing my mask had fallen to the floor.
Wretched.
I immediately turned my back to the woman who seemed to be taking the mask earlier. Why did this woman even see my naked face? If only she was a man, I might have killed her!
All my life I don't want anyone to see me without a mask. As a child, I had a crisis of confidence, that's why I prefer to hide my eyes in a mask.
I was forced to turn back and take the mask in his hand. He looked surprised to see my face. The eyes are wide and the mouth is almost open.
"Why wear a mask? Your face... is better off without it."
Her words were beyond my expectations. The woman's lips looked parted and redder. Was it like this before?
"You ... how dare you look at my face," I growled. "You have to pay for it."
I can't take it anymore. This hand pulled her nape and my lips seemed to move on their own, pressing against her lips. I tried to control my breathing and irregular heartbeat, but I just got more intense, sharing my breath with her.
My hands traveled from the nape of the neck to her tiny waist. Really, I haven't felt like this in a long time. I can't even remember the last time I kissed a woman.
As expected, Lady Dalcom looked so shocked and wanted to rebel, but I held it in, and finally she followed my lips. The thrust on my shoulder then weakened as his fist turned into a firm grip.
Seeing her eyes closed, I dug her mouth even more. Unknowingly I lowered her hand. Her skin was as smooth as silk with an unusual body odor. Not a strong perfume smell, but a soft nectar scent.
Wait, am I crazy?
As soon as I woke up, all my movements stopped. My eyes almost widened and at the same time, she hastily pushed me away.
"This is wrong." She said while covering his lips,
"Don't come any closer, I'll forget what happened today. So I have to go."
Lady Dalcom rushed to the door, while I was still silent, watching her leave. A second later, I punched the nearby table while gritting my teeth.
"Damn it! Why am I out of control like this?!"
***