Chapter 3 Duke-003

In silence, Hazel enjoyed the gentle night breeze caressing her face. The handsome man beside her chuckled softly at her earlier comment, revealing a charming smile with dimples. Hazel decided not to ask his name, letting him remain mysterious. For her, that was quite pleasant.

"What's wrong?" Hazel finally asked, feeling warmth spread in her heart as she watched the man's laughter. "A man as handsome as you should be charming the ladies on the dance floor right now."

The man smiled while sipping his wine. "It's too boring inside," he replied with a low, calming voice. "The crowd, the small talk, it's all just tedious."

They fell silent for a moment, simply enjoying the stars scattered across the night sky and the peaceful atmosphere. The man sipped his wine slowly, his deep eyes gazing far into the horizon. Hazel looked at him, feeling something intriguing emanating from him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the handsome man asked, his blue eyes shifting to meet Hazel's.

Hazel sighed before answering. "I'm just curious, why would someone like you choose to spend time with someone boring like me?"

The man looked at Hazel intently, secretly drawn to her caramel brown hair flowing beautifully in the wind, contrasting with her pale face covered by a thin layer of makeup.

"Do you even know who I am?" he asked in a calm voice, but his eyes remained sharp.

Hazel gave a slight smile, trying to hide her nervousness. "You're at this party, so it's clear you're not an ordinary person and have some status," she said calmly, though she still had doubts in her heart.

The man smiled mysteriously, as if holding some hidden knowledge. "So, you're not familiar with my true identity," he said, staring at Hazel sharply.

Hazel felt her heartbeat quicken, but she chose to stay composed. "At least I know you're not an ordinary person."

The man laughed again, his voice echoing in the quiet night. "You're quite smart," he said while finishing the last of his wine.

Hearing his laughter, Hazel felt increasingly uneasy. "Why are you smiling like that?" she suddenly asked, trying to uncover the meaning behind his smile. "Are you judging whether I'm worth taking to bed?"

The man looked at her carefully. He could see that Hazel was an innocent virgin, her gaze naive, not like a woman trying to seduce.

"Why are you asking that? Could it be that you're drunk?" the man asked firmly, trying to ease Hazel's anxiety. "Do I look like a jerk who would take advantage of girls for my own pleasure?"

Hazel turned her gaze forward. "I'm still sickly and weak even though I eat the best food. How could I be drunk?"

The man moved a little closer, looking at her seriously. "I'm just not sure, but from what I said earlier... doesn't that mean you're trying to provoke me?"

Hazel felt slightly offended by the question, but she also recognized some truth in it. "Maybe you're right," she finally said, trying to hide her disappointment behind a smile. "Maybe I should go back inside. A handsome man like you surely isn't interested in someone like me."

The man smiled again, but this time his smile was more mysterious. "Do you even understand the meaning of what you're saying?"

"I'm often sick, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid," Hazel replied, slightly offended. "Are you not interested in touching me because I look like a sickly girl?"

The handsome man smiled wryly, a hidden meaning in his gaze. "If you knew who I am, you would regret it."

Hazel shrugged, trying to stay calm even though her heart was pounding. "A man like you can surely choose any woman you want. So why did you choose to be here, with me, a sickly woman who rarely leaves the house and is not known by many people?"

The man chuckled softly, his voice low and warm. "I just felt bored at that party. Didn't you feel the same?"

Hazel looked at him with curious eyes. "You talk as if you know me. So why don't we go to bed right now?"

The man was surprised by Hazel's boldness, the corner of his eyes narrowing mockingly at her. "You won't regret saying that, will you?"

Hazel shook her head. As she was about to speak, her dry lips felt the warm breath of the man. In the dark, quiet night, as the night breeze gently touched their skin, their lips met in a passionate kiss. The man started gently, his lips caressing Hazel's with an appreciation for her delicate beauty. Hazel responded with burning passion, her lips matching the man's kiss with equal desire.

As the kiss continued, they engaged in a dance of intimacy that generated warmth between them. The man's tongue slipped into Hazel's mouth skillfully, finding and challenging her tongue in teasing movements. Small moans escaped their lips, signaling hidden desires. Every touch, every brush of their lips sent electric currents through the air around them.

Their hearts beat in sync, reflecting the excitement and tension they both felt. Hazel felt like she was drowning in sensations she had never experienced before, momentarily forgetting the world around her. Their lips finally parted, releasing their breaths, ragged with passion.

Their eyes met, filled with the spark of desire and longing. That gaze radiated the intimacy they had just shared, making them feel as if the world had changed in an instant.

The man smiled, looking at Hazel's lips smeared with lipstick after their intense kiss. "I'm sure you have an opinion of me now. Am I right?" he asked in a low, teasing voice.

Hazel swallowed, trying to calm her racing heart. "I... I don't know what to say," she finally replied, her voice trembling. "This... this is my first time."

The man raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but still smiling. "First time, huh? I'm flattered."

The man was usually not very expressive. Though slightly reluctant to see Hazel's fluttering emotions, he kept his emotional distance. However, for Hazel, the kiss brought new and pleasant sensations. The man observed her, trying to understand Hazel's expression.

"How did it feel?" he asked in a flat tone. "Are you going to back out now?"

Hazel, with newfound courage, looked at the man. "I'm fine," she replied firmly. "We can take it to the next level. Do you want us to stay at a hotel or will you take me home?"

"Do you want to go up to my bedroom?"

Hazel looked straight into the man's eyes. "Why not?"

The man frowned, feeling unsatisfied with Hazel's answer. Initially, he kissed Hazel just to toy with her, thinking she was just a naive and innocent girl who would easily get swept up in the moment, like a delicate flower growing in a greenhouse. However, Hazel's response left him puzzled.

"We'll stop here. Not every man is worth getting close to, Miss," he said seriously. "You shouldn't give yourself away to just anyone. Think carefully. Go on."

The man started to walk away, but Hazel, with trembling hands, grabbed the hem of his shirt, stopping him.

"Wait," she whispered, her eyes full of determination. "Why are you doing this? Why are you leaving now? Am I not attractive enough?"

***