He led Blair out onto the balcony. Blair, who had been scurrying after him, muttered to herself,
"What if that person earlier was badly hurt…"
That voice stopped Herdin in his tracks. He was furious at her worrying about Wesley's condition even now.
"Are you worried about that guy right now? Just look at what that bastard said to you."
"But today is Mother's birthday party."
This time, she was worried about Katrina. She had absolutely no regard for her own safety.
Just as Herdin was about to say something, another clueless hiccup burst from Blair's mouth.
Hic. Hic. Hic…
The hiccups continued without stopping. Even when Blair closed her mouth, the sound escaped.
Come to think of it, he could smell alcohol every time she breathed. Herdin's brow furrowed.
"…Are you drunk?"
"I'm not drunk."
The answer came immediately. But now that he looked closely, her pronunciation was strangely slurred as well.
Herdin held up two fingers and asked,
"How many do you see?"
Blair pouted.
"…You said you wouldn't doubt me."
It was cute that she was acting so uncharacteristically, but Herdin didn't back down. No—that only made him more persistent.
"So, how many do you think there are?"
"Just stay still for a moment."
Blair, who had been staggering slightly, suddenly grabbed his hand with both of hers. Herdin flinched at this, but Blair seemed oblivious and continued to fiddle with his fingers.
It tickled to have her small hands wiggling and touching his fingers, but he didn't dislike the sensation.
Blair, who had been concentrating so intensely that she even narrowed her delicate brows while counting just two fingers, finally gave her answer.
"It's two."
It was as if she were saying, Do you think I wouldn't know this?
Herdin burst out laughing, still holding her two fingers. The unpleasant feeling from dealing with Wesley was long forgotten.
The drunk wife tilted her head with a serious expression, as if she couldn't understand why he was laughing. Even then, the hiccups hadn't stopped.
When the hiccups came again, Blair frowned in frustration and patted her upper chest.
Herdin, who had been watching her with a smile, asked,
"Shall I stop them for you?"
Blair blinked in confusion and looked up at him. His face had come close in an instant.
Smack.
Something hot and soft touched her lips and pulled away. Blair blinked slowly, unable to grasp what had just happened.
Herdin chuckled at her wide, rabbit-like eyes.
"It's stopped now. Your hiccups."
His languid baritone voice reached her a beat late.
Hearing her heart pounding loudly in her ears, Blair looked up at Herdin with confused eyes. She couldn't understand why he was acting this way toward her.
You don't like me, do you? You have to.
She hated that he was digging into her vulnerabilities and shaking her like this. She didn't want to be swayed. Her heart, pounding against her will, tormented her.
Blair came to her own conclusion.
"Do you want to do it with me?"
This man, if nothing else, seemed to quite like her body.
Yes, that must be it.
Of course, it was something she would never have said if she were sober.
At those words, the smile vanished from Herdin's face. His gaze turned cold.
Herdin let out a bitter laugh.
His wife had been treating him like a lust-driven beast for a while now. But she wasn't entirely wrong. After all, his mind was filled with filthy thoughts about her.
"…So what?"
"You said you'd consummate the marriage twice a month. There's still one left, so if you want, I'll do it as much as you want…"
In other words, it was as if she were offering her body out of obligation, without a trace of her own feelings or will.
Herdin's irritation flared. Yet, ironically, the moment Blair gave her permission, his desire surged with anticipation—despite the dirty feeling of being dragged into something hollow.
Why would he refuse a woman who wanted him?
He desired her. She was his wife, at least in name. And she said she would accept him.
His desire wasn't a problem. Not at all.
Herdin led Blair into a nearby room. Blair followed, stumbling weakly behind him.
He closed the door and trapped her between his body and the door. He kissed the slender wrist he had been holding and asked,
"May I do it here?"
As his lips moved, Blair's body trembled slightly. He could see her chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. Even that sight was beautiful.
Blair blinked blankly, then slowly nodded. The moment she gave permission, his large hand slid over her waist and moved upward.
At the same time, his lips played with her wrist and palm—those slender fingers that had just been boldly touching him moments ago.
Even now, his eyes never left her, as if he wanted to engrave every tiny reaction into his memory.
"Ah…"
Blair twisted her body involuntarily at the sensation of his warm, damp lips brushing her skin.
Even though it was just her wrist and palm, a tingling sensation spread through her.
Perhaps it was because of his unwavering gaze. Her breathing quickened, even though he hadn't taken her breath.
Not knowing what to do, Blair grabbed his arm with her free hand. Only then did Herdin release her hand and pull her into his embrace, burying his lips in her pale neck.
As their bodies pressed together, heat spread between them. Blair's body tensed instinctively.
She tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold, drawing her closer. The more she struggled, the more aware she became of him.
"Herdin…"
The call carried no clear meaning—whether to stop or continue.
Herdin interpreted it however he pleased.
He had been tormenting her by nibbling at the delicate skin between her neck and collarbone when he suddenly captured the lips that had called his name.
As his hand traced down her waist, Blair writhed and let out soft sounds. Her grip on his arm tightened.
Each sound she made brought back memories of their first night together. The urge to take her right then and there threatened to overwhelm him.
He had been repeatedly sucking on and releasing her lips, but when he parted them and slipped inside—
A sweet scent of wine filled the space between them.
At that moment, the murky thoughts he had buried resurfaced.
Would she even remember any of this?
His head cooled instantly, like being splashed with cold water, in stark contrast to the desire burning within him.
He suddenly pulled away.
"…Herdin?"
Blair opened her eyes, hazy and unfocused, her violet gaze clouded with alcohol.
Looking into those eyes made him feel dizzy.
Herdin loosened his hold on her waist. Then, avoiding her gaze, he covered his eyes with his hand and let out a strained breath.
After forcing himself to calm down, he spoke.
"Come to think of it… this is a bit unfair."
"Unfair…?"
Still half-drunk, Blair repeated his words like a parrot.
It was absurdly cute. And the way her slightly swollen lips—glossed with his saliva—moved was undeniably alluring.
Damn it.
Herdin clenched his teeth and spoke in a low voice.
"You're going to forget everything that happened today once you sober up."
I want you to remember.
I want you to remember everything clearly.
So that what I made you feel stays with you.
So that even the slightest touch from me makes you react.
Blair, who had been staring at him with slow blinks, suddenly leaned forward, buried her face in his chest, and mumbled,
"Herdin… I'm sleepy…"
It was as if she hadn't heard him at all.
Herdin let out a dry, disbelieving laugh, but still supported her small, swaying body.
With a quiet sigh, he leaned close to her ear and whispered,
"…Prepare yourself when you wake up."