Chapter 2

Vespera

Sebastian’s hands were large, yet even they could not fully cup my ample breasts.

A soft sensation bloomed in his palm. I felt his body go rigid, and he let go of my breast at once.

Before Cleo could come in, Sebastian slipped under the covers as well.

I was pinned beneath him, his hand over my mouth, his legs clamped around me.

“I haven’t seen her. I never allow her in my room.”

Sebastian’s voice was thick with disgust at the sound of Cleo.

His hand over my mouth kept me silent. All I could do was hope wildly, in my heart, that Mother would find me.

“Looks like she really isn’t here. Where has she run off to this late?”

Cleo muttered in confusion. She seemed ready to give up the search.

I panicked.

If Mother left now, I would be stuck copying texts all night with no rest.

I started thrashing my arms and legs, trying to make her notice me.

Sensing the movement, Sebastian tightened his hold.

My hands flailed at random and closed, accidentally, around something soft.

At first I didn’t know what it was.

But soon that thing grew hard and burning hot in my grip, and only then did I realize.

It was a penis of startling size—so large I couldn’t even wrap one hand around it—standing high and twitching beside my cheek, carrying that tempting, masculine scent.

“Nnh…”

A muffled groan slipped from Sebastian. Coupled with the reaction of his body, it sounded especially sensual.

I went still, even forgetting to let go of his groin.

“What’s wrong, Seb?”

Cleo seemed to have noticed something off, but Sebastian recovered his composure at once.

“Nothing. I’m going to sleep.”

Footsteps followed. This time Cleo truly left the room.

My heart hung in my throat.

That towering length was still throbbing, scorching, against my cheek.

Sebastian definitely wouldn’t let me off, I thought.

The next second he dragged me out from under the covers by the wrist and pulled me astride him. That hard thing pressed firmly against my pubic bone.

Whether from being smothered under the blankets too long or from embarrassment, my cheeks burned when I came out, and my breathing was ragged.

I looked down at Sebastian lying beneath me.

I was somewhat puzzled. No one had covered his head, so why was his face red as well?

“Who gave you permission to touch me like that?”

Sebastian spoke through clenched teeth, shame and anger undisguised in his voice.

I knew what he meant. Recalling that intimidating thing, I spoke in broken fragments.

“You touched me too…”

He had squeezed so hard that my breasts still ached faintly.

Sebastian seemed to remember that as well. His hands loosened, and I fell onto him, my face buried in the crook of his neck, where I caught the clean, pleasant scent of body wash.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Sebastian hauled me up by the collar, his tone a little guilty.

This time I answered with perfect righteousness. “I didn’t do it on purpose either.”

If neither of us had meant it, couldn’t we just pretend it never happened?

The change in position drove him harder against my pubic bone, a sour, tingling ache.

I shifted, and the friction made Sebastian suck in a sharp breath, his face as if he were enduring something unbearable.

A moment later, Sebastian dumped me off the bed.

“Get out.”

The fall left my body hurting, but I still scrambled up in a flash.

“Go back? Does that mean I don’t have to copy texts?”

Sebastian pulled the covers up to his neck, wrapping himself completely, and turned to face the wall with his back to me.

“You don’t.”

“Then about tonight…”

“I won’t say a word. Get lost.”

Sebastian’s tone was impatient, but since he had promised not to tell, I left with my mind at ease.

At least I wouldn’t have to copy texts all night.

When I got back to my room, Cleo was still searching the area for me.

“Vespera, where have you been so late?”

Cleo only relaxed when she saw me.

I smoothed my rumpled nightdress and went to meet her with an innocent smile.

“I woke up thirsty halfway through the night and went downstairs for some water.”

The excuse wasn’t particularly clumsy.

I had always been the good child in everyone’s eyes, so Cleo naturally didn’t doubt me.

After all, who would imagine that a good girl like me had just peeked from outside a door at her having sex with Lucien, then hidden under my stepbrother’s covers for so long?

Cleo watched me climb under the covers, drew the curtains to make sure the lightning outside wouldn’t frighten me, and only then left.

But I couldn’t quite sleep.

The thunder beyond the window still scared me.

And every time I closed my eyes, I thought of Sebastian’s low, sensual voice, and of that scorching thing pulsing beside my cheek.

I didn’t fall asleep until very late, and I got up early again.

I was not yet an official member of Vance Manor. I had no right to sleep in.

I was afraid that if Lucien found me to be a lazy, idle girl, he would throw me out at once.

Perhaps because of last night’s fright, my body felt unwell.

Even so, after getting up I pushed through the discomfort and helped the kitchen staff prepare breakfast.

I didn’t sit down—at a seat on the edge—until everyone else had taken their places.

Sebastian sat across from me, his face still carrying that dazed look of someone just awake.

When he saw me, his expression shifted plainly, then he looked away at once.

I picked up my fork and didn’t glance at him again.

Perhaps I ought to be glad that yesterday’s incident had happened?

At least today Sebastian wasn’t making snide remarks to humiliate me.

“Vespera.”

During the meal, Lucien suddenly called my name.

I set down my knife and fork at once and stood obediently to answer.

“Yes, Mr. Vance.”

Lucien was pleased with my docile manner and nodded.

“The Thorne family just called. Alistair will see you at nine. Put away those country habits of yours. Don’t disgrace the Vance family.”

“Yes. I understand.”

I agreed obediently.

The Thorne family was the marriage alliance Lucien and Sebastian had chosen for me.

The Vance family had no daughters. Even though I was only a stepdaughter, I could still be married off to consolidate their interests.

I didn’t particularly object to the match.

After all, marrying into a powerful family meant they at least wouldn’t let my grandmother die slowly of illness.

“Seb, when you finish eating, take your sister over there.”

Sebastian frowned slightly, but he agreed.

After the meal, Lucien and Cleo went out.

I cleared the leftovers from the table, not daring to go near Sebastian, who was wrapped in a foul mood.

I hadn’t expected Lucien to have Sebastian take me to the matchmaking meeting.

Time was nearly up, but I didn’t dare rush him. I could only burn with anxiety, glancing again and again at the clock.

I changed into the bright-pink backless dress Cleo had prepared for me ahead of time—expensive clothes I had never worn in the countryside.

After three months of training at Vance Manor, with careful makeup, I looked almost like a true young lady of the aristocracy.

Fortunately, at half past eight, Sebastian finally stood.

I followed him in silence and took the passenger seat.

He seemed to have forgotten last night entirely and did not give me a hard time.

Until Sebastian pulled the car over by the roadside.

“Alistair is waiting for you at the riding grounds up ahead.”

The riding grounds?

I looked at my dress and the eight-centimeter heels.

I hadn’t known in advance that the meeting place was a riding ground. How was I supposed to ride in this outfit?

“Could I…”

I wanted to go home and change first, but Sebastian cut me off before I could finish.

“The appointed time is almost here. The Thorne family hates unpunctual people more than anything.”

Sebastian’s sharp gaze hit me, and the rest of my sentence stuck in my throat.

I had a feeling that today’s meeting might fail.

And perhaps Lucien would send me straight back to the countryside, to wait in loneliness for death with my grandmother, who already lay gravely ill in bed.