Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 4.3
Aeroc shouldn’t have gotten into this unreasonable negotiation in the first place. To make matters worse, despite all the unpleasant encounters and conversations they’d had so far, the shrewd lust of the man at the peak of his alpha male instincts had rubbed off on Aeroc. The heat from their clashing lower bodies gnawed at Aeroc’s patience. His brain, dulled by years of tension and sleep deprivation, was about to make a foolish decision.
“Do you hate me?”
“If I do, will you regard the contract as if it never happened?”
“No.”
“Then don’t ask that.”
Aeroc looked directly into the eyes of his blatant flirter. The man’s pupils, sunken to near black with desire, reflected a troubled, pathetic reflection of him. Slightly disheveled hair, slightly flushed cheeks, and the tip of his nose. His lips, reddened by repeated chewing, were pressed together in a tight line. It wasn’t the proper etiquette of a well-groomed aristocrat. It was even less appropriate looking for an alpha male.
“I’ll ask you one last question. Answer me truthfully.”
“What?”
“Why me? There are many other wealthy aristocrats, even Omegas too, who are promised vast inheritances. You’d be better off wooing and marrying one of them.”
“I appreciate your advice, but they are not you.”
The conversation spun out of control. Aeroc leaned in close and glared at the man who was exploring the nape of his neck closely like a beast. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Bendyke pressed his lips to Aeroc’s ear and whispered.
“I fell in love with you at first sight.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I agree. I must definitely be crazy to have gotten myself into this mess again.”
Aeroc’s will to resist the endless taunts was slowly fading. As an aristocrat, his pride fought a hard battle alone, but it was too late to turn the tide.
“I’ll set the terms.”
“As you wish.”
Faced with the irresistible tide, the last resistance Aeroc could muster was to emphasize the prerequisite of the problem.
“I’ll draft a contract and send it to you.”
After getting what he wanted, Bendyke slowly backed away. A sudden chill came over Aeroc, making him feel naked despite the layers of clothing he wore. Long fingers hovered over his ears. Every time he felt the slightest gesture, the pit of Aeroc’s stomach clenched and unclenched. It wasn’t just fear that made him nervous. It was the realization that the one-sided intimate touch by the hateful man wasn’t as horrifying as he had imagined. Even in the bright daylight, Bendyke’s eyes looked dreamy. Then, Bendyke brought his head closer again. Just as their lips were about to touch, just as his heart was about to explode, Bendyke asked a ridiculous question.
“Can I kiss you?”
Aeroc couldn’t bring himself to ask if it was okay for them to go there, or if it was okay to make a public announcement to his social circle. Aeroc let go of Bendyke’s wrist.
“It would be better not to fix the terms.”
Aeroc had no other option but to say so.
“Don’t worry too much, it’ll be better for the Count this way.”
“It’s already a bad deal to begin with, do you think I need your consolation?”
The questioning voice was sharper than necessary. Fortunately, Bendyke kept his mouth shut. Though one corner of his mouth twitched upward.
The long-awaited contract was finally finalized. Aeroc signed one copy for himself to keep and another for Bendyke. Despite his misgivings, he decided not to have it notarized. There was no one else they could trust with this, so they made a rare agreement.
“You better honor the contract.”
“That’s for me to say, Count.”
This time, Bendyke didn’t ask for permission and kissed Aeroc lightly on the cheek. Like a mature alpha caring for a young omega fiancé, Bendyke chuckled to himself.
“Don’t do anything creepily unlike you.”
“That’s pretty hurtful.”
When Aeroc pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his cheeks as if wiping away filth, Bendyke exaggerated his posture like a theater actor. There was mischief in his eyes, too.
“I’m not in the mood to joke around.”
“I’m not joking.”
With that, Bendyke casually hugged Aeroc. It was so natural, Aeroc was stunned. He unknowingly snorted and pushed Bendyke away.
“You’re acting like my lover.”
“I’m about to be.”
“Stop your delusion.”
“We’ll see if it’s a delusion or not.”
Bendyke dared to kiss Aeroc’s throbbing temple. When Aeroc screamed at him to get lost, he chuckled and disappeared. Aeroc didn’t understand what was so funny.
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