Chapter 6: Permission

I hesitated. "Maybe not." Too intimate. I really was a bit embarrassed. Adrian lowered his eyes in disappointment.

"Alright, it’s okay, I actually don’t feel that bad, just holding you is enough to get through it. Ma’am, go to sleep, don’t worry about me, I’ll still make you breakfast tomorrow."

I caught something in his tone—maybe a hint of jealousy or longing. Weird. But already enchanted, I immediately worriedly said:

"Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mean anything else, just thought kissing was a bit too fast. And don’t shortchange yourself—since I brought you home, of course I have to take responsibility for you."

"Really?"

"Really. If you want to kiss, just kiss. But only once."

I shyly pursed my lips. "Thank you, ma’am."

Adrian lifted his face from my neck. I thought he’d impatiently kiss me to relieve his hunger, but he first kissed my chin. Then stuck out his tongue, licking me like a little animal—slowly, as if trying to please me. My brain flashed back to every awkward first kiss I’d ever had, and I nearly panicked. But this time, I gave permission.

Only, the wet feeling on my chin made me instinctively raise my hand to wipe it. Naturally, my fingers bumped into Adrian’s lips. He obligingly started kissing my fingers too—kissing while staring at me, his eyes pitch black.

Ugh. Even more like a puppy. I couldn’t take it, so I used my other hand to tug his tail, urging:

"Adrian, hurry up and kiss, stop playing around. I’ll let you kiss a bit longer, isn’t that enough?"

Adrian’s lips brushed mine, slow and careful. And suddenly, I realized—maybe I was the one in danger of falling.