Chapter 1457
Playful music began to fill the room, and a soft glow flickered past his eyes.
Curious, Tarquin peeked through his fingers. The dim room was now bathed in colorful, swirling polka-dot lights, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Elysia, wearing a red silk robe, stood by the bed where she had just lit some incense. The fragrance quickly spread, adding a sensual touch to the scene.
She turned around and walked toward him, her movements hesitant. Stopping about six feet away, she gave a little wave, as if to test whether he could really see her. On her head, she wore a fuzzy cat-ear headband. When she tilted her head, the ears wiggled, looking criminally cute. A matching cat mask covered her eyes, making her lips look even more red and inviting.
A cute and bewitching little wildcat.
Tarquin had never seen anything like this. He froze on the spot, not daring to move or make a sound, afraid of revealing that he was peeking.
Elysia, thinking he couldn’t see, let out a long breath and began to untie her belt.
Tarquin’s heart hammered in his chest. *!* But Elysia suddenly stopped. She stared at him for a few seconds, then turned her back to him. Suddenly, she whipped back around. “Tarquin, what am I doing p>
Tarquin jumped, trying his best to keep his voice steady. I don’t know. I can’t see. What are you doing p>
He saw Elysia let out another sigh of relief before warning him sternly, “Nothing! If you dare peek, I’ll hit you! I really will p>
Tarquin forced a laugh. Got it p>
Elysia warned, “Keep your eyes shut tight. I… I’m going to dance for you. For your birthday p>
After another wave to confirm he wasn’t looking, she turned around and let the silk robe fall from her shoulders p>
Tarquin’s breathing hitched. *!* His Elysia had always been so modest and shy; she had never been this bold before… This was a first, and he was getting an eyeful.
Elysia kept her eyes squeezed shut, her whole body trembling. Despite her efforts to stay calm, despite making him close his eyes, she was so mortified she wanted to flee. If it weren’t to make him happy, if it weren’t to give him a memorable birthday, she would never have been able to go through with this. Winona had told her that men were visual creatures, animals at heart, and that a dance like this would make Tarquin happier than a mountain of gold. She wanted to make him happy… He’d seemed so preoccupied lately, and she didn’t know if it was just because of Elizabeth Gonzalez’s ashes or something else. Whatever it was, she wanted to cheer him up. She loved him, and she was willing to be bold if it made him happy p>
But just wearing this and dancing in front of him was her absolute limit. She couldn’t possibly do it while he was watching. The best she could manage was to dance for him with his eyes closed. Elysia summoned her courage, turned around, and, with her eyes still tightly shut, began to move p>
Shyness mingled with a hint of seductive allure. Tarquin stood frozen. He admitted it: in that moment, Elysia was a siren, and he was a sailor ready to smash his ship on the rocks for her. If she had whispered ‘die for me,’ he would have done it without a second thought. He was only a man, after all, and he was powerless against this kind of enchantment.
The two-minute dance felt like two centuries for both of them. The performer was flustered and frantic. The spectator was burning up, barely able to contain himself.
When the dance ended, Elysia turned and bolted for the bed. According to Winona’s plan, she was supposed to lie back in a seductive pose, letting the mood lighting wash over her for a perfect finale. But right now, all she wanted to do was dive under the covers and hide. Before she even reached the bed, Tarquin caught her by the wrist. With a gentle pull, he brought her into his arms. His hand rested on her waist, caressing her softly.
“This surprise… is really a surprise! This is the best gift I’ve received in my thirty years p>
Elysia’s heart pounded, her body trembled, and her cheeks flushed crimson. “You… you saw p>
Tarquin murmured, “Elysia, you’re going to be the death of me p>
Before she could understand what he meant, he tilted her chin up, and his kiss was sudden and fierce… They lost track of time entirely, the hours melting away as they lost themselves in each other. Again and again, Tarquin worshipped her, pulling Elysia into a dizzying, intoxicating haze of pleasure until the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains. She finally understood the saying you could hear about passion, but you’d never know what it truly felt like to die and be reborn in a lover’s arms, again and again, until you experienced it yourself.
The next morning, Elysia woke up once. Tarquin hadn’t gotten out of bed. He was leaning against the headboard, eating the small birthday cake she had made for him last night.
Elysia mumbled sleepily, “It’s been out all night. Is it still good p>
Tarquin said, “It is p>
Elysia asked, “Is it good p>
Tarquin dabbed a bit of cream on his lips and leaned in. “You tell me p>
Elysia dodged him. “Stop messing around p>
Tarquin insisted, “This is my birthday cake. You’re not going to have any p>
Elysia paused for a moment, then leaned in and licked the cream from his lips, tasting it herself. Tarquin’s gaze darkened as he whispered against her mouth, “Is it good p>
Elysia nodded hazily. “It’s good p>
Tarquin asked, “Is it as good as me p>
Elysia’s lashes fluttered. Before she could react, Tarquin had pulled the covers over
both of them, and the teasing began all over again.
Elysia didn’t know how long he went on. When she next woke up, it was already two in the afternoon.
Elysia was stunned. “It’s two in the afternoon p>
Tarquin looked at her with a doting smile. “Mmm-hmm p>
“Oh no, no, no p>
Elysia scrambled to get up, but Tarquin held her in his arms. “Don’t worry. I already talked to Dad. We’l get together tonight instead. Mom and Dad took the kids to the park this morning, and they weren’t ready to leave, so I rescheduled with Dad for dinner. Lunch is canceled p>