Chapter 111: Intimacy at the hot spring (Part – 1)
"Mmm..." Elena quickly pulled away.
"What are you doing?" she whispered, her cheeks flushed. "We are out in the open. What if someone comes and sees us?"
"No one will dare." His voice carried quiet certainty.
Before she could protest again, he drew her back into his embrace. This time, his kiss lingered longer, slow and affectionate, making her heart pound against her chest uncontrollably.
"Elias..." Her soft protest melted into his mouth.
His arms tightened around her waist, reluctant to let her go.
"Come on," he murmured against her mouth, a teasing smile curving his lips. "Let’s enjoy the hot spring."
Before Elena could understand anything, Elias swept her into his arms and stepped into the steaming pool.
"Ah..." A surprised gasp escaped her throat as the warm water embraced them.
Gentle ripples spread across the crystal-clear spring while wisps of white steam drifted lazily around them.
The pleasantly warm water melted away every trace of tension from her body. It soothed her tired muscles and eased the lingering soreness she had woken up with that morning.
She instinctively closed her eyes and released a contented sigh.
The soothing warmth seeped into every part of her body while the cool mountain breeze brushed softly across her face. The contrast felt incredibly refreshing.
"I understand now why you brought me here," she said with a contented smile. "This feels wonderful."
Elias watched her quietly. He was content to see her happy. But a flicker of longing lingered within his dark eyes.
"I’m glad you like it." He moved closer until only a breath separated them. He gently took both of her hands into his.
Their eyes met. Neither of them spoke for a long moment.
The distant murmur of flowing water and the chirping of the birds broke the silence of the place.
"What?" Elena asked softly, noticing the intensity of his gaze. Her heartbeat quickened without warning.
Instead of answering, Elias reached up and brushed a damp strand of hair away from her cheek. His fingertips lingered against her skin for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, never taking his eyes off hers.
Heat crept into her cheeks.
"I thought the hot spring was supposed to help people relax." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "But you are making it very difficult."
Her pulse fluttered. "Elias..."
His gaze slowly drifted to her lips before returning to her eyes, as if he were silently asking for permission.
This time, she didn’t pull away.
Taking her silence as an answer, he leaned forward. Their lips met once again.
The kiss began gently, unhurried and tender, completely different from the passionate one they had shared moments earlier.
Elena’s fingers slowly curled around his arm as she kissed him back.
The warmth of the spring seemed to dissolve the remaining distance between them.
"Elena..." he murmured against her lips. "I’ve wanted to hold you and claim you ever since we arrived." He let out a quiet breath. "And now... I’m finding it hard to hold myself back."
A shy smile appeared on her lips. "You’ve become quite honest."
"Only with you."
His answer made her heart flutter. Unable to hide her smile, she lowered her gaze.
Gently, he lifted her chin once more before capturing her lips again. This kiss lasted longer, deeper.
Elena gradually relaxed into his embrace, forgetting everything beyond the quiet valley. She forgot about the outside world, forgot about her earlier worries. She let herself drift into the mist surrounding them.
"Elena..." His voice was low and husky. "Stop me before I completely lose control."
She looked into his eyes. Instead of stopping him, she slipped her damp fingers into his hair.
"Then don’t stop," she whispered. "Take me."
Her answer was all the encouragement he needed. His breathing grew heavier as he pulled her closer.
"You are impossible to resist."
He kissed her once more, slow and full of longing.
Elena responded just as eagerly, her fingers tightening slightly in his hair.
The warmth of the spring, the quiet mountains, and the peaceful solitude seemed to blur everything else from their minds. All that remained was the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips and the comforting security of his embrace.
Elena was still sore down there from the previous night’s madness, yet it only made her crave his closeness more.
Her trembling fingers reached for the buttons of his shirt, hastily undoing them one by one. The eagerness in her touch ignited something fierce in his eyes.
"You always know how to make me lose control," he murmured against her lips.
He captured her mouth once more, slipping her top from her head. His calloused hand wandered over her skin with surprising tenderness, leaving a trail of warmth that sent shivers racing through her.
She could feel her nipples rise. She inhaled softly, her head falling back as she surrendered to his touch.
His hand drifted lower, lingering for a heartbeat against her waist before continuing its unhurried journey. Every brush of his fingertips heightened the anticipation coursing through her, making her entire body quiver.
And just like that, he slipped his finger inside her.
"Elias..." she breathed, clutching tightly to his shoulders.
"Come for me," he whispered.
He moved his finger in and out, drawing soft gasps from her lips. The rising tide of sensation tightened her abdomen.
"I want more," she confessed in a shaky whisper. "Don’t stop."
A smile touched his lips. "Anything for you, my love."
He slipped another finger inside her, increasing the pace.
"Uh..." She let out a sigh.
He continued with patient devotion, his gaze never leaving her face.
When she finally opened her eyes, she found him watching her with a tenderness so profound that her heart skipped a beat. There was desire in his eyes, but above all, there was love.
Then he crooked his fingers inside her. With his thumb, he rubbed her clit, and at the same time, his two fingers moved inside her steadily.
Every stroke pushed her to the edge. The pressure continued to build until she could no longer hold back.
"Ahh..." A cry escaped her lips as she buried her face against his shoulder, her body trembling in his embrace.
Elias wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely until her breathing gradually steadied. He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her flushed face, his expression filled with quiet satisfaction and affection.
"You become even more beautiful when you melt into my arms like this," he whispered, gently stroking her warm cheek. "How am I ever supposed to resist you?"
"Elias..."
Before she could continue, he tilted her chin upward.
"Did you enjoy that?" he asked softly.