He stood about ten steps below Cecilia on the staircase.

It seemed he could have easily caught up but chose to keep some distance.

He climbed another step and paused, waiting for a moment.

When he noticed that Cecilia wasn’t making any attempt to avoid him, he began to ascend slowly.

He stopped a few steps below her, just at the height where she could slightly look down at him.

“I got an urgent message. It came at dawn, so I couldn’t tell you. I left word with Hoffman to pass along to you. Did you not hear it?”

“…I did.”

Russell tried to read her expression but failed.

She rarely showed emotion, her face often composed in a reserved, neutral manner.

He’d only seen her smile a handful of times.

Right now, he couldn’t tell if she was pleased or upset.

Why had she turned away from him earlier?

Was she angry?

‘I should’ve returned sooner.’

He felt uneasy, like he needed to say something—anything.

He urged himself to think of something, but it was as if his throat were clogged, preventing words from forming.

Even when he was younger, he had already seen his share of romantic entanglements.

In their tight-knit community, news of who was dating whom spread like wildfire.

He had watched brave hunters turn into bumbling fools in front of women or seen hulking men cry over heartbreak. At the time, he’d silently mocked them as fools.

Now, he felt he was paying for those judgments.

He felt like one of those idiots now.

“Your vest. You didn’t take it.”

“…Oh.”

In truth, Russell had completely forgotten about it. When he had left her sitting room that day, his thoughts had been entirely consumed by her.

“What’s the important thing you needed to tell me?”

“Hmm?”

“You said you had something important to tell me.”

“…I do.”

Russell ascended another step, changing their eye level.

As he climbed, Cecilia tilted her head upward to maintain their gaze.

Now, they stood so close that only a small movement could bring them into contact.

“Someone might see,” Cecilia blurted out, embarrassed.

She immediately regretted it, thinking she’d jumped to conclusions. He hadn’t done anything, and she felt foolish for presuming.

Russell abruptly grabbed her hand.

He climbed the last few stairs to the third floor, pulling her along.

Blinking in surprise, Cecilia followed, almost running to keep up with his quickening pace.

She was slightly out of breath, struggling to match his steps.

She should have been angry at his lack of consideration.

But instead, her heart raced with inexplicable anticipation.

After walking down a corridor, Russell opened the door to a room and led her inside.

Cecilia felt herself being pulled abruptly, her back pressing against the wall.

When his breath touched her face, she closed her eyes instinctively.

The sound of the door creaking shut seemed distant.

His tongue entered her parted lips without hesitation, exploring deeply and tangling with hers.

Her tightly closed lashes trembled.

Once again, she inhaled the crisp, clean scent of him—a fragrance that reminded her of a fresh breeze.

The sensation wasn’t just a scent—it felt like it transformed into taste.

Kissing him had a flavor, and she wanted more.

She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, though they barely fit within her grasp.

Russell lifted her effortlessly, making it easier for her to encircle his neck with her arms.

Cecilia tilted her head in the opposite direction of his, allowing their noses to cross and their lips to align more deeply.

Russell felt his blood boiling.

The exhilaration he felt now was as powerful as the rush he’d experienced after successfully hunting a mutant black bear for the first time, even after spending a grueling day hiding underground.

Even as he licked and bit her lips, his thirst grew.

It was both satisfying and unsatisfying at once.

Her soft, plump lips tasted unbearably sweet.

Russell wanted to consume even her breath.

But he noticed her breathing had quickened and broke the kiss slightly.

He pressed gentle kisses around her lips as she exhaled small breaths.

When he leaned in to kiss her again, their eagerness caused their lips to bump awkwardly.

Cecilia let out a small cry of surprise. Startled, Russell froze.

“Are you okay?”