He had always been the calm, self-controlled type—yet tonight, his reason and emotions shattered completely.
The moment Cecilia parted her lips to make a sound, Blaze's tongue slipped inside, brushing against the delicate walls of her mouth before teasing her tongue. The slippery, tender sensation made his own mouth burn with hunger.
As he kissed her deeply, his large hand trailed up her curves while his long leg pressed firmly between hers.
Under the soft glow of the lamp, her bare chest was exposed to his gaze. With every small struggle she made, Cecilia's body trembled, those alluring swells swaying in a way that nearly drove him mad.
His hand moved from her slender waist upward, sliding around to her back. Her skin was soft, springy, irresistible beneath his palm—so long since he had touched her like this.
His assault carried a dangerous dominance. One hand captured both of hers and pinned them above her head, while the other cupped the round softness pressed against his chest, his calloused palm covering her completely.
He tore his lips from hers only to claim her ear, nipping lightly as his hand kneaded her with merciless hunger.
Why? Why did he lose all control the moment he saw her?
"Mmm…" Cecilia whimpered, her lips swollen red from his kisses, her body flushed and trembling as her hardened tips betrayed her. Her clear eyes glazed with mist, tears welling up until they spilled down her delicate cheeks.
Blaze bent his knee, grinding deliberately between her thighs as his lips and tongue traced down her pale neck, skimming her collarbone before descending to her breasts. He licked along the valley, teasing her sensitive peaks until they blushed a deeper shade.
Unable to resist, he drew one of those sweet buds into his mouth, swirling his tongue over it while his fingers toyed with the other.
A jolt of electricity shot through Cecilia's body. She gasped, pushing at him desperately, her voice breaking with sobs.
"Blaze… don't… please, I beg you…"
When Blaze finally lifted his head, he caught sight of a tear sliding down her chin, falling onto her collarbone. He leaned in and licked it away.
Bitter.
Once again, her cursed tears defeated him.
The light cast shadows across her delicate face, her nose trembling with every muffled sob. Meeting those sorrowful eyes, Blaze felt his rage and desire crumble.
He exhaled harshly, releasing her hands and pushing himself upright. Irritation burned through him as he turned toward the door.
CRACK!
A sharp sound split the silence. The floor-to-ceiling window trembled, a spiderweb of cracks spreading across its surface. Cecilia jumped, clutching the blanket around her body, shrinking back in fear.
Blaze didn't even pause, not sparing a glance at the shattering glass.
CRASH!
The entire pane collapsed, shards raining onto the carpet. Outside, fireworks exploded, their reflection glimmering off the broken glass—an illusion of beauty amidst destruction.
Someone, somewhere, was celebrating. And in the chaos, their window paid the price.
"Wait…" Cecilia's voice trembled as she tightened the blanket around herself, her sobs laced with a soft, almost pleading sweetness.
Hand on the doorknob, Blaze ignored her, twisting it open.
"Don't go… I'm scared…"
Cecilia thought she must be insane. Moments ago, she had fought desperately to drive the man away, and now here she was—throwing away all pride, begging him to stay.
But she was truly terrified.
Her mother had died young. Ever since she was little, she'd slept alone at night. Later, a certain woman started visiting their house often. Cecilia hated her, yet one night that woman smashed her window in a show of dominance. Furious, Cecilia had stormed downstairs, only to find her father entangled with that same woman on the sofa. Shaken, she had fled back to her room.
The icy wind had poured through the broken window, and she'd sat among the shards, crying until dawn. The next morning, she learned the devastating news—her father was going to marry that woman.
To Cecilia, shattered glass had forever become the omen of losing someone precious. She hated it. She feared it.
Hiding beneath the blanket now, she could still hear Blaze's heavy footsteps. Certain that he had left, her tears fell harder.
"Childish, isn't it?"
His cold voice rumbled from above her. For a moment, she wasn't sure if he was talking to her—or to himself.
Then the blanket was yanked hard from the outside. Cecilia clung to it with all her strength, refusing to let go.
The night air stung her skin, the cold seeping into her bones as the broken window let in the wind. She sniffled, heart aching all over again—until suddenly her entire body lifted off the bed.
Blaze had picked her up, blanket and all.
"Stop struggling. Behave." His voice was clipped, sharp with command.
He carried her into a different guest room. The warm, dry air wrapped around her, easing her trembling. He laid her on the bed, and it took her a long moment to catch her breath.
"Not scared anymore?" His teasing voice came from beside her. Even through the blanket, she could feel his gaze—half helpless, half mocking. She wanted to sink into the floor with embarrassment.
"…Thank you."
The words had barely left her lips before the mattress dipped. Blaze lay down beside her, pulled the blanket away, and forced her into his arms.
"N-no, you don't have to—"
"Shut up. Sleep."
At first, Cecilia tensed, terrified he might start again. But Blaze only held her in silence. His breathing grew steady, his eyes closed as he drifted into light sleep.
His familiar scent surrounded her. The powerful heartbeat against her ear soothed her more than she wanted to admit. Slowly, Cecilia's eyes fluttered shut, and she fell asleep in his arms.
For once, she dreamed peacefully. By the time she woke the next morning, Blaze was gone. Only the lingering warmth on the pillow proved that he had stayed the night. Touching the faint impression where his head had rested, Cecilia's lips curled in a self-mocking smile.
Since it was the weekend, she didn't need to go to the office. When she came downstairs, she found one of the maids cleaning with a vacuum. The moment the maid saw her, she stepped forward—whether on purpose or not, the machine's head scraped hard against Cecilia's ankle.
"Ah—!" Cecilia hissed, pain shooting up her leg as blood welled from the cut. She gripped the railing for balance, her brows knitting tight.
But the maid only muttered, "Watch where you're walking," her tone cold, arrogant, as if Cecilia had been the one at fault.
"Mandy," Cecilia read the name from her badge, forcing herself to remain patient despite the sting. "Please be more careful next time, okay? And… could you bring me some alcohol wipes and a bandage? I'm bleeding."