ITD

CHAPTER LXXlV-76

By now, Courtney was used to his consideration and respect. The days of feeling insecure about it were long gone. She sighed softly and began to share her frustrations with him.

"Hm, but I'm really lacking in the basics..."

"Like what?"

"Foreign languages, for one... I don't know any."

"There are plenty of people who can handle that for you."

"Still. Oh, and..."

Their conversation continued on, touching on mundane topics. Courtney asked about things she had wondered while reading records, questions that even the head maid couldn't clearly answer, and Richard, as always, explained everything kindly. It was an ideal, refined scene of an imperial couple sharing a meal.

But that wasn't all. As the meal progressed, words became less frequent, replaced by more frequent glances. Their gazes met in the air more often than not.

If Richard's eyes held a sense of expectation, Courtney's were brimming with unmistakable desire. Now fully awakened to physical pleasure, every time she looked at Richard, she felt a compulsion to tease him. And, on days when her afternoon schedule was free, lunchtime became the perfect opportunity to indulge those rising urges.

It was during the dessert, as they enjoyed pudding, that a sharp metallic sound rang out, Courtney's spoon clattering to the floor beneath the table.

"Oh, I dropped it."

Courtney wore an exaggerated expression of concern. The acting was terrible, obvious even. But that didn't matter. Just like the previous evening, when she'd deliberately spilled wine on his chest, this was merely a signal. She spoke in a haughty tone.

"Would you... pick it up for me?"

Richard rubbed at his mouth to hide the smile creeping up. If she was going to play this little game, he'd happily play along. Clearing his throat, he replied.

"Of course."

Richard stood up casually, walked around the table, and approached Courtney. The spoon had fallen near her feet. As he reached down and bent over to retrieve it, the pointed tip of her shoe darted out from under her dress, pressing down on the spoon with a sharp clink.

Richard paused, momentarily caught off guard, but Courtney remained nonchalant.

"Oh, where did my spoon go?"

Instead of moving her foot, Courtney slowly drew it back, tucking it-and the spoon-under her dress.

Still bent over, Richard looked up at her. Courtney gave the tablecloth a slight shake, putting on a feigned innocent expression.

"Looks like it went under the table. Want to go in and find it?"

"Yes."

Richard immediately crawled under the table.

No more acting was needed. Courtney dropped all pretense and giggled openly. If anyone walked into the dining room now, they'd be shocked. But the thrill of being caught only added to the excitement. It made the game all the more irresistible.

Under the table, her skirt was lifted, and soon her legs parted wide. His lips landed softly on the inside of her stocking-covered calves, sending pleasant shivers up her spine.

Courtney pressed her foot down on the spoon, spreading her legs wider. His lips began planting kisses along her legs, slowly traveling upward.

When his lips reached her bare thighs, he lingered there longer, kissing and teasing the soft skin. As he neared the boundary between her thigh and grxin, he flicked his tongue, wet and warm, against the sensitive skin. Courtney tilted her head back, her voice sultry.