Ransomed Fiancée (Michaeng) ✔️

Chapter 57: In Your Warm Embrace Part 2

Chaeyoung

I laid her on the bed, positioning myself above her, then lowered my head to plant searing kisses along her jawline and down the slender length of her throat. My lips trailed lower, leaving a scorching path of kisses along the column of her neck, and then descending further to the fragile line of her collarbone. The thin strap of her nightgown had slipped off, hanging down her arm. My fingers caressed it, gently brushing the sides of her breasts downward to her torso and then her hips. As I continued to kiss her, my hand slipped beneath the edge of her nightgown, my fingertips grazing the soft skin of her thigh.

Did I truly want things to happen like this? Mina was different. This had to be different. We were different. My feelings for her was different from the woman I had known inside the Garden. What we were doing right now didn't feel right. I paused, my attention caught by a faint scar on her left chest, partially concealed under her undergarments. It looked like a scar. My focus returned to Mina, who had remained silent and still throughout. She lay there, allowing me to proceed, but I sensed her trembling, her fist tightly clutching the bedsheet, her knuckles turning pale. Frowning, I gently detached myself to look at her more closely.

Her lips were swollen from our shared kisses, biting her lower lip. Her hand covered her eyes, but I noticed a tear escaping from the corner of her eye.

"Mina," I called out softly. Concerned and confused.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled softly under her breath.

"Mina, look at me," I coaxed, reaching for her arm to gently move it from her face. She had her eyes closed and shook her head slightly.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice trembling as she began to sob. All this time, she had been holding back, doing her best to prevent the tears from flowing, to ensure I couldn't hear her.

"Sweetheart, look at me, please," I urged, and finally, she fluttered her eyes open. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as our gazes met. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and her breathing had grown shallow. Her shoulders trembled with an intensity that seemed like a panic attack. I held her closer, resting my forehead against hers, and softly rubbed her arm in a reassuring manner. My other hand cupped her cheek as I whispered soothing words, "It's all right, you are okay. I won't hurt you. You are safe, Mina. We can stop here. There's no need to continue. You have nothing to apologize for," I assured her with care and understanding.

"I'm sorry, I was the one who started it but I couldn't—— I thought I wanted it—I thought I—" she stuttered, her voice shaking.

"Mina, Darling, I don't mind," I interjected, gently tilting her chin up and placing a soft peck on her forehead. She closed her eyes briefly, and I cherished that moment. Gradually, she began to relax, her sobs fading, and her breathing steadied. I held her close, silently assuring her that she was safe and cared for, not just in this moment, but always. We would take things at her pace, at her terms.

Her actions had been confusing and surprising, but I didn't want to question them just yet. I pulled the comforter up to her shoulders and settled beside her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. I glanced at her for a permission and she gave a subtle nod. I smiled and nestled my head against her chest, she didn't protest.

The room was dimly lit, and I could hear nothing but the gentle rise and fall of our breaths. I gathered my thoughts and emotions after the intensity of what had just happened. I needed this time to calm myself, to regain control over the desires that had been ignited earlier. Her proximity, the sensations, everything about her had drawn me into a whirlwind of passion. I was still aching for her. But now, in the peaceful quiet, I focused on the rhythmic beating of her heart and the soothing cadence of her breathing. As the minutes turned into an hour, we remained embraced in peaceful silence. I opened my eyes, feeling a renewed sense of self-control. Glancing at her, I noticed she was lost in thought, her gaze distant.