The path curved upward, the rain softening as they climbed. Han Jue held Su Qinglan tightly in his arms, walking carefully in the rain.
When they finally reached the high cave, he ducked slightly and entered. It was not a big cave; if people didn’t look close, they would not even find it.
But inside, it had much more space than the width of the entrance.
Su Qinglan’s eyes widened instantly.
The cave... did not look like a cave. It looked like someone’s home. Did they accidentally enter into someone else’s home?
There was a pile of neatly dried wood on one side, a stone shelf where someone had placed many miscellaneous items, a hide pouch hanging from a rock hook, and a soft bed made of clean leaves and fresh hide.
It looked like a small, warm shelter. Like a place someone returned to often.
Her mouth parted in surprise. "Han Jue... this..."
Han Jue froze for one second, then guilt rushed to his face. His ears drooped a little as he adjusted his hold on her.
"I... I often came here when hunting," he confessed, voice low and nervous. "So I left some things... it is not very tidy. I did not expect to bring you here so soon..."
He looked almost apologetic, almost like a child caught doing something wrong.
Before she could say anything, he carried her deeper inside, still in bridal carry. Oh thank God it was his and not someone else’s. Because it would be truly embarrassing to be caught doing that in someone else’s home. Su Qinglan’s face blushed at the thought.
Su Qinglan suddenly felt her cheeks burn.
And most importantly... why... why did this feel like she was a newly wedded wife being taken into the bridal chamber by her husband?
Her heart thumped, and she coughed lightly to hide her own fluster.
Han Jue misunderstood instantly. His brow knitted with worry. "Lan Lan, are you cold?"
"No! No, I am alright," she said quickly, waving her hand. "Just... air stuck in my throat."
He relaxed a little, though he still looked at her like she was the most fragile pearl in the world.
Gently, he set her down onto the soft bed of leaves covered by warm hide. The scent of forest lingered on it. It was soft, comfortable, and clearly changed recently, probably yesterday, just like he said.
Han Jue stood there, rubbing the back of his neck, shy and red-eared.
"I... I will light the fire," he said hurriedly. "Wait here. I kept dried logs."
Without waiting for her reply, he rushed to the woodpile, gathered the logs, and knelt down to start the fire. His hands moved fast but careful, striking stones together, arranging the wood, blowing gently to make the flame grow.
Su Qinglan sat behind watching him silently.
He looked so focused and serious. So unaware of the storm he caused in her heart. His broad back was dripping rainwater, his hair messy, his ears still flushed pink.
A sly smile slowly curved on her lips.
Quietly, she reached for her outer clothing, the thick hide soaked in rain, and pulled it off. It landed on the stone floor with a soft wet thud.
Under it, she wore her deep emerald inner dress.
It was short and clung to her body.
And now, wet from the rain, it hugged every curve.
She lifted her long hair up, squeezing out the water, letting droplets fall to the ground. Her bare shoulders glowed faintly in the dim cave light.
Han Jue was still making the fire bigger, blowing softly at the flames, completely unaware of the danger behind him.
She walked toward him with slow, soft steps.
"Jue Jue..." she called in a small voice. A small voice that carried a warm, seductive tone she didn’t even try to hide.
Han Jue’s shoulders stiffened at her low voice, and she had to bite her lips to stop the smile. She only tossed her eyebrows when she met his shocked gaze.
On the other hand, Han Jue was completely shocked as he suddenly looked behind and felt the breath sucked out of him.
Su Qinglan stood behind him, glowing in pale emerald, her wet hair sticking to her bare shoulders, her dress hugging her body tightly... pushing her chest forward, showing every curve, dripping water gently down her legs and boots.
Han Jue forgot how to breathe.
His mouth fell open.
His eyes widened, then softened, then widened again like he couldn’t decide if he should stare or politely avert his hungry gaze. But she was his female... should he really be polite... ah why was it so difficult? He wanted to be a gentleman, but he knew he was going to be one hungry wolf.
Su Qinglan raised her wet dress slightly and said in an innocent dangerous voice,
"Should I hang my clothes here to dry?" she asked lightly, tilting her head.
Han Jue felt his entire soul leave his body.
Before he could snap back to his senses, Han Jue immediately stood up.
"Lan Lan, give it to me. I’ll dry it..." he said as he dragged a big rock closer to the fire and spread her wet clothes over it.
Meanwhile, Su Qinglan basked in the warm glow of the flames, her skin almost shimmering in the light. Eyes half closed, body relaxed, she looked completely calm... while Han Jue felt like his entire soul had turned into a nervous puddle.
Everything was done. Now he should approach her.
But how?
He was shy. Actually shy. In his entire life, he never imagined there would be a day he’d be embarrassed in front of his own female.
He had accidentally blurted out that he wanted to be her mate earlier, swept away by emotions...
But now he had absolutely no idea how to continue.
His face was redder than the fire.
Redder than Su Qinglan, who was glowing from the heat.
Su Qinglan peeked at him from one half open eye.
Why was he not coming? Did he still have something to do?
Only to freeze.
Because there he was, staring at her with a scorchingly hot gaze, but with a face so red it looked like someone had slapped a whole tomato field on him.
A slow smile curled on her lips.
Ah... so her shy hubby was at it again.
It seemed... tonight was the night she would teach him a few very important lessons.
Her expression turned smug, and she mentally prepared herself.
HA! TODAY SHE WOULD BE THE DOMINEERING MOMMY!
AND HE WOULD DEFINITELY BEG THIS MOMMY TO SATISFY HIM!
A strange spark lit up in her eyes. She crooked her finger at him like a seductive little villain.
"Han Jue, come here. Warm yourself by the fire."
Han Jue snapped out of his daze and obediently sat beside her, so stiff that even a statue would have felt ashamed standing next to him.
She snickered.
The moment he loosened even a tiny bit, she immediately climbed into his lap like a mischievous fox. Staring at him with big, innocent eyes, she whispered,
"I’m cold."
And then, without even a gram of shame, she plastered herself against his heavenly, muscle sculpted chest.
Ah... so firm... so solid... so unfairly perfect.
She had the sudden urge to kiss his abs just to see if they were real.
Han Jue could only wrap his arms around her as she curled against him like she belonged there.