When I hid, I assumed Sam would hide as well. However, he didn't! The next thing I know, he was talking to them!

"Give me one reason I should let you disturb me?" Sam asked.

I gasped, immediately covering my mouth with my both my palms.

Did he show himself? Would he let them in? What would he say when they asked what he was doing here, alone? Old Olly wouldn't believe him if he came up with a lame excuse! Would he tell them he was the duke? Would they even believe him?

Myriads of panic-stricken question hovered over my head. I listened to them talk and heaved a sigh of relief when the professor recognized Sam.

I didn't hear Old Olly, but I'm certain she was baffled and kneeling. Before a noble, especially a man in power, peasants like us automatically kneel until our forehead touching the ground.

I listened as the Professor explained and Sam's cruel reply. I held my breath. Sam wouldn't really do that, would he?

The next moment, I heard Sam once again. This time, not talking to them, but to me.

"Silly, come. We will go home."

Peeking my head out to check, Samael was looking in my direction. The door wide opened, I could see two shadows on his feet.

"I —" Just before I could speak, Sam placed his finger in front of his smirking lips.

I pursed my lips.

Sam extended his hand, and I cautiously slinked out from where I hid. Clasping the rear of my dress, I limped my way to him.

As I did so, I glimpsed at the two kneeling. They didn't raise their head as I walked over to Sam's side.

When I stood by his side, Sam leaned closer and whispered, "They won't see you. Let's go back and continue where we left off, shall we?"

I gulped and nodded. I heard him smirk before he swept me off of my feet.

With me being carried in his arms, I nearly shriek. Fortunately, I covered my lips with both of my palms.

Raising my gaze to see him gazing down at me with a smirk. After a wink, Sam leapt, and we left the hill.

*

Unlike how we traveled down from the duke's mansion, Sam didn't bother going back to fetch the horse. Instead, he continued with his speed, heading directly back home.

Cautiously, I clasped on his chest as I discreetly looked up. His expression solemn.

I bit my lower lip lightly. His expression right now differed when we were…

The thought of what happened between us made me feel utterly flustered. My eyes gazed at his lips. I could still feel them on mine and on parts of my body he had conquered.

His hands holding me, I could vividly remember his sensual touches. Those fiery touches that set my body blazing with anticipation.

Once we return home… we would… I pursed my lips at the sudden thoughts that flashed inside my head.

I don't know what exactly we would do. But I already had a vague idea of how it felt.

I'm… I'm looking forward to it.

Unconsciously, my hands on his chest slapped my flustered cheek lightly. How could a kiss corrupt my mind so easily?

But this was normal, right? I never kissed anyone before. Thus, I believed our kiss was the purest form of first kiss since we both enjoyed it?

I just followed the flow, which made me feel good. He tastes good — I mean, his lips. I wanted to taste them again and I would…

I felt like a kid looking forward to a meal. The thought of tasting something so sweet and so addicting. I'm obsessed.

I'm losing my mind.

"Goodness…" Suddenly, Sam sighed, which snapped me back from my stupor.

"Huh?" I blinked my eyes at him.

My mind was too occupied with the thought of him, I didn't notice his fangs. They were showing sharper than ever.

"How am I so slow?" He frowned. Yet, his speed didn't decrease.

Slow? I looked around. No? He was thrice faster than a horse's gallop. How could it be slow?

"My lord, you shouldn't hurry. We will —"

"I should, so we can continue. I hate interruptions." Sam gazed down, holding my gaze instantly.

"But, there won't be interruptions once we're home. So…" I trailed off, carefully pondering on my next words.

"So, shouldn't you take your time?"

I raised both my brows innocently. I blinked my eyes. We could kiss all night — forever, even. I won't stop him. I liked it. Hence, he didn't need to hurry.

However, he seemed to perceive my 'good' intentions in another way.

"How can I not hurry when you've been so welcoming?" He breathed, suddenly stopping in his tracks.

We had been traveling through the woods; a shortcut back to the mansion, he said previously. Stopping in the middle of the woods, as the sun already set, was quite… frightening.

But with him, I felt less terrified.

"I want to take you right here and now." He said, and my eyes instantly went wide.

"Huh?"

Sam didn't reply anymore. Instead, his eyes, burning in crimson red, stared into my eyes as if he could see my soul yearning for him.

"Lilou, what I want now is not just a mere kiss."

"Then, what is?" I asked out of pure curiosity.

"You." Without looking away, the intensity of his gaze heightened.

"Nothing but you."

I gulped as I clenched on his chest. My heart pounding, drumming its way out of my ribs.

It was fascinating how my throat quickly dry up upon his words. And my breathing gradually felt heavy, reminding me how our locked lips barely gave us air.

Out of habit, I bit my lower lip.

"Every time you bite your lips, it drives me crazy. Stop it." He muttered as his eyes peered at my lips.

"I would take you right here and now, if not because sprained ankle." He added after a heavy sigh.

"Would it worsen it?" I blurted out.

His eyes darkened. "What do you think?"

"I — I don't know?"

"It would. Imagine yourself laying down on this very ground, naked. It's not very pleasing for a first time." He uttered as he looked ahead.

Before I could reply, he sprinted ahead. This time, much faster and before I knew it, we're back to the Duke's Mansion.

From the front door of the mansion, Fabian welcomed us with a bow.

"Welcome back, My Lord, My —"

However, before Fabian could finish his greetings, Sam cut him off. Sam didn't stop as he trudged inside the mansion, carrying me in his arms.

"Don't disturb us unless you've prepared your own grave." Said Sam as he hurried me back to our bedchambers.