Chapter CVII - Irresistible

Woken up by the morning sun and the singing birds, Arthur stretched his arms up, letting out a deep yawn. He found himself in his bed but didn’t remember much after healing his grandfather the day before. The fatigue built up inside glued him to the bed, and even after sleeping for so long, Arthur still felt like napping. However, knowing he couldn’t sleep around all day, he pushed off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes gently.

Arthur took the time for his vision to adjust before pushing himself up and leaving the room, a much more grueling task than he’d liked to admit.

Leaning against the railing, he made his way downstairs before heading to the bathroom. Relieving himself and washing up, Arthur was finally ready for the day.

When he reentered the hallway, the smell of food reached him for the first time. Intrigued, Arthur snuck to the kitchen and saw Irene standing next to the stove, wearing nothing but underwear and his shirt that reached up to her thigh.

Arthur grinned before carefully walking up behind her and grabbing her waist. He waited until Irene wasn’t holding anything, assuming she’d jump, but to his surprise, she simply smiled, grabbing his right hand while her left reached behind his neck, running her fingers through Arthur’s hair.

“Good morning,” she whispered into his ear after tilting her head back. “Sleep well?”

Arthur smirked, pushing his lips against her exposed neck while her hand gripped his hair firmly. Her alluring scent drove him crazy, but he behaved himself. Nibbling gently, Irene couldn’t help but gasp as he left a pink mark on her skin that would fade within the hour.

“We are the girls?” Arthur asked, sniffing her.

“They–” she giggled, snuggling closer to him. “They went to my place.”

Noticing she was enjoying herself, he traced his tongue along her neck and to her ear, nibbling her lobule.

“And Kyu?” Arthur whispered.

“F–fed and. . . asleep.” Distracted, she turned off the stove and put the pan on the side before shifting around to face him, grabbing his wrinkly shirt, and pulling him in for a kiss.

Irene’s gentle lips drove him crazy as her warm breath revitalized him, empowering him to reach lower so he could lift her off the ground and onto the table.

She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him as close as possible. His right hand supported her lower back while his left grabbed her under the knee.

Moaning into each other’s mouths as their tongues finally met, Arthur found it impossible to break away. However, once they did, they both panted with their faces burning red.

“What’s gotten into you?” Irene giggled, planting kisses on Art’s collarbone.

“How was I supposed to resist?” Arthur whispered, caressing her back while tilting his head to the side, inviting her to explore further.

She didn’t hesitate to accept his provocation as Irene moved up and started kissing his neck.

“You’re so sensitive here,” she whispered, tracing her finger along the areas she kissed, making him twitch.

Arthur’s reactions had her smiling, awakening the desire to continue provoking him. Her hands soon found their way underneath his shirt, dragging her nails across his back before parting her lips to take a bite at his neck. It was gentle, but she had him arching backward with heavy breaths. The thought of leaving a mark excited her, so she didn’t let go and even had him moaning into her ear.

By the time she finally let go, Arthur was sweating, burning up inside as he couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, unable to wipe the smile off her face as he looked embarrassed.

“We should eat,” he mumbled, knowing there was no way he’d be able to admit how he felt.

Jumping off the table, Irene hugged him from behind and whispered into his ear, “I didn’t know a man could sound so. . .” She tightened her grip, never finishing her sentence. “Don’t you dare hold back in the future.”

Flustered, Arthur didn’t answer.

The two eventually sat down as she finished making breakfast.

“You know. . . Everyone was whispering how cool you were when you fought those guys yesterday,” Irene mentioned, taking a bite while glancing at Arthur. “Even Moon seemed impressed, so maybe she’ll back off now a bit.”

“Doubt it.”

“Why?”

“They weren’t Qi users, and I only used a bit near the end to show off. She’d likely beat them too.” He paused for a second before letting out a sigh. “Nah, she’d win for sure.”

“Could you have beaten him without Qi? It’s not that I doubt you, but I wanna hear you say it.”

He looked up, gazing into her eyes. “With ease.”

“I see.” Irene averted her gaze, coyly smiling.

Arthur knew that Irene understood he didn’t enjoy fighting because of his past, but he also understood the appeal of having a strong boyfriend who could keep her safe.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve been thinking about that offer Tjay made. Might be fun if we trained together sometimes. Doesn’t have to be there, but in general–”

He realized he was going to start rambling, so he suddenly stopped himself. Arthur still got nervous whenever he suggested something, worried she might dislike the idea, despite Irene never refusing anything.

Giggling, Irene leaned on the table with her elbow, resting her chin on her hand. “I’d love to.”

“Oh. . . cool.” He smiled, looking back at his food.

“How’s your fatigue?”

“Huh? Fine.”

“Really?” She asked. “Iseul called us to a party tonight, and Sophie was thrilled by the idea, but I’m not sure you should go.”

“I’ll be fine,” he mumbled, feeling uneasy.

“No need to act tough. You already have your hands full.” Irene sighed. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Soph about it. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“Huh?” Arthur glanced up. “What do you mean?”

“I won’t tell her why you’re tired, sheesh. . .” She chuckled. “I’ll think of something, and we can just chill here.”

“Wait, you’re not going?” Arthur looked surprised.

“To a club without you? No?” She furrowed her brows. “Why would I?”

“I thought you liked partying.”

“It’s not that I don’t. I just don’t wanna go without my boyfriend. Maybe if it’s a girls’ night, I’d go, but even then.”

“I see. . .” Arthur sighed, finding himself feeling relieved.

“Were you worried?” She giggled, finding his reaction cute, but Arthur refrained from answering. Smiling softly, she whispered, “Talk to me. What’s on your mind?”

“I–” He sighed and took the time to think of how to phrase what he wished to say.

“Hey. . .” She whispered. “I just wanna make sure you know that what happened to Nabi with Hyun. . . I’d never do that to you.”

“Huh? Where’d that come from?”

“Maybe I felt like saying it cuz you looked worried. I don’t want such things crossing your mind,” Irene averted her gaze. “Sorry to bring it up.”

While they talked about what happened to Nabi, they never discussed their views on what was okay and what wasn’t in a relationship. However, Arthur felt like they understood it even without talking it over.

“I get it, but. . . Irene, I refuse not to trust you wholeheartedly. Sure, some’d call me ignorant, but I don’t want to amuse the idea that you’d ever hurt me even for a second. So I’m not worried about something like that, and I promise you, I’ll never hurt you either.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt within him when he said it. “It’s just–”

He stopped himself again, to which Irene stood up. Arthur watched as she walked around the table and forced her way into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck while he held her by the waist.

“I know,” she whispered, leaning into his chest. “I know. . .”

Letting out a sigh, he whispered, “It’s just that when I thought about staying home while you and Soph are out there having fun. . . I’d be restless and maybe– a bit lonely.”

“And you think I’d let that happen?” She asked quietly. “Why wouldn’t I bring you along? It’s not like you let yourself make others uncomfortable, and if anyone’s ever bothered by your presence, they can fuck right off.”

“Irene. . .” He chuckled. “I have nothing against you going without me. Besides, girls’ nights ain’t meant for boyfriends to tag along.”

“Yeah, but I wouldn’t go on girls’ nights to a club while my boyfriend is stuck home alone and needs someone to help him out.”

“I’d be fine–”

“Would you leave me home alone to go to a party?”

“No, but–”

“Dork.” They both laughed. “I’m sure there’ll be times when we go to events or gatherings without each other, but if I don’t have to, then I most likely won’t go alone.”

“Fine, but if you can and I can’t, don’t hold yourself back on my account. Okay?” He kissed her head as she nodded. “Anyway. What’ll you wear to the party?”

“Huh?” She looked up, confused.

“Well, we’re going, aren’t we?” He gave her a wink. “Or are you too tired?”

“But–”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

She sighed, closing her eyes and burying her face into him. “Think you can go shopping with me?”

“Sure. Then afterward, we can drop by Ryung and then have a quick nap before the party.”

“Deal!”

Irene couldn’t help herself to his lips again.

“Can you blame me? You looked amazing,” Irene said with a broad smile as she dragged Arthur by the hand back into the house. “Besides, what’s the point if you don’t let me spoil you a bit?”

“A bit?” Arthur sighed, holding a dozen bags from the shopping mall that had both their new clothes. “Didn’t know that letting you buy me an outfit for tonight would spiral out of control like that.”

“So? Aren’t you my boyfriend?”

“That doesn’t mean you should be buying me clothes, no?”

Closing the door behind them, Irene took the initiative and leaned close to Arthur’s face.

“Hey. . .” She whispered, gazing into his eyes. “Does it really bother you that much?”

“Honestly?”

“Yeah. . .”

“Not really.” Arthur sighed.

“Then what’s the problem?” Irene asked, taking the bags away from him and lowering them to the ground before wrapping her arms around his waist. “I know that you’re iffy about taking money from Tjay’s dad for the house and stuff, but why does it matter how I spend my money?”

“That money was supposed to be for you, not me.”

“But you’re my other half,” Irene whispered, and even though the words themselves weren’t outlandish, they still made Arthur blush. “Spending it on you is the same as spending it on me, so let me spoil you a bit. Think about it. You’re already worrying about our safety, healing your grandpa, and at the same time, tackling the debt. Not to mention school’s starting soon, and you’re exhausted throughout the day, so let’s not add money to the list of things you have to deal with when I got us covered. It’s just clothes to help me drool over. . .” Irene traced her finger across Arthur’s neck and chest, leaning into his ear, whispering, “. . . my man.”

“You’re impossible,” he whispered back, chuckling before placing a finger under her chin, guiding her in for a kiss.

Pulling away, she gazed into his eyes again. “So. . . is that a yes?”

Arthur sighed, shaking his head. “Do what you please.”

Irene coyly smiled, grabbing the collar of his shirt, pulling him toward the bedroom.

“If that’s the case, let’s cuddle to death and take a nap before the party.”

“Can’t say no to that,” Arthur smirked, letting her take the lead.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.