Chapter 120 The Intimate Prize
The instant their tongues met, a tremor rippled through Bianca from somewhere deep inside.
She deepened the kiss, her tongue tangling with his as if trying to merge with him entirely. Her breathing quickened, the air between them thinning with every passing second.
A faint flush crept across her cheeks, but the hollow ache inside her remained. She craved something stronger, something that could chase away the emptiness gnawing at her.
Her tongue explored his mouth, tracing the roof, brushing against his teeth. The intensity of it felt like she wanted to consume him whole.
The oxygen between them grew scarce. Finally, reluctantly, Bianca pulled back, letting the cool air rush into her lungs.
Her breathing was still heavy. Her fingertip traced a slow, deliberate path upward, sliding into his hair. The contrast of her pale skin against the dark strands was stark under the dim light.
"You're trying to seduce me." Terrence's voice was low and rough, certain, his eyes darkening with desire.
Bianca did not answer. Her actions had already spoken for her.
She caught his earlobe between her lips, her breath hot and laced with the scent of alcohol, sweet and intoxicating. He could not tell if it was the liquor burning through him or her warmth pulling him under.
His thoughts blurred, like he had stepped into a thick fog, every sensation slowed and heavy.
He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, exhaling softly, his tone almost coaxing. "Still want that bath?"
"Yes." She nestled into his shoulder, her voice soft and coaxing.
Steam filled the bathroom, mist curling around her curves, obscuring everything except what his hands could feel.
His fingertips glided over her skin, drawing faint shivers in their wake.
Bianca sank lower into the water until only her eyes and the bridge of her nose remained above the surface. Her hair floated around her like dark silk.
Hot water cascaded over her shoulders. Terrence's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Shy now?"
Bianca blew two small bubbles, then lifted her head. Water streamed down her face, her hair clinging to her skin.
Her cheeks were flushed, whether from the heat or the alcohol, she could not say. "I'm not."
She stretched out, eyes closing, as if savoring the moment.
"Just thinking."
Her closed eyes hid whatever emotion lingered there, but Terrence caught the faint sadness radiating from her.
The alcohol had made her more vulnerable, more raw.
His rough thumb traced the line of her jaw, stopping at her lips.
"Bianca, you were very good tonight." His thumb pressed gently against her mouth, parting her lips slightly. "There is a special reward for that."
Bianca ignored the intrusion, her eyes lighting up like stars.
"What reward?" She leaned against the edge of the tub, her smile loose and hazy. "Was I really that good? I think I drank quite a bit."
His thumb did not stop her from speaking, though it made her words come out slightly muffled.
Terrence chuckled softly, withdrawing his hand and pressing it against her lips, watching the pink fade to white under the pressure. "Of course you were good. You did not drink too much."
Bianca suddenly remembered how he had tried to stop her earlier. A flicker of realization crossed her mind.
It was not that she had not wanted more—she had simply felt her body reaching its limit. Combined with his insistence, she had stopped.
She had not realized that, in his eyes, it had been obedience.
She blinked, a smile tugging at her lips.
"What is the reward?" Her cheek pressed into his palm, her expression full of anticipation.
"Rewards are not meant to be spoken aloud." Terrence's mouth curved as his fingers brushed across her face.
Water droplets were wiped away. Soft sheets pressed against her bare skin, warmth seeping slowly between her body and the fabric. Her gaze drifted back toward the bathroom.
The sound of running water lingered in the air, a rhythm that seemed to tap against her nerves, stirring something restless inside her.
After the bath, the alcohol hit her harder. Her awareness wavered between clarity and haze.
Her skin felt hypersensitive to the slightest chill, making her shiver involuntarily.
Chill?
Bianca blinked, realizing Terrence had already slipped under the covers, his body still damp and cool, pressed against her bare skin.
The contrast made her instinctively move closer.
"The reward..." she murmured.
Her eyelids drooped with drowsiness, but her fingers gripped his arm tightly.
"Now."
Terrence's breathing grew heavier. His hand cupped her breast, his mouth descending to claim hers.
The tension from the bathroom carried over, inevitable and natural.
His body pressed firmly against hers, his movements urgent and deliberate.
Bianca covered her face with her hands, a soft moan escaping her lips.
She bit down on her lower lip, her gaze hazy with desire.
"The reward?"
"This is it."
With those words, he moved deeper. They both groaned in unison, the sound raw and unrestrained.
Moonlight filtered through the window, casting soft shadows on the floor. The occasional gasp filled the air, making it thick and heated.
Morning.
Bianca pressed a hand to her sore lower back, the other rubbing at her throbbing temple.
Memories of the night before flooded back. She gritted her teeth and kicked at the man beside her.
Terrence opened his eyes, rubbing the spot she had hit, then pulled her back into his arms.
"What's wrong?"
His voice was lazy, satisfied, his fingers playing idly with her hair.
"You dare ask me that? Last night... how was that a special reward!"
Bianca's anger flared. She raised her hand to swat at him again.
Terrence caught her wrist easily, stopping her mid-swing. He pressed her hand against his cheek.
"You do not think it satisfied you?"
Bianca bit her lip, the words dying on her tongue. She curled into his chest, letting out a soft huff.
Terrence chuckled.
"I'm a little tired..." she mumbled into his embrace.
Suddenly, she bolted upright, grabbing her phone from the nightstand, panic flashing across her face.
"Oh no. This is your fault—I overslept. I have class!"
She threw back the covers, ready to leap out of bed, but his strong arm pulled her back down.
She glared at him. Terrence's expression remained calm. "Relax. I already called in for you."
Bianca froze, then let out a breath of relief. She immediately snuggled back into his chest, nuzzling against him. "Terrence, you're the best."
He stroked the back of her head gently, a faint smile on his lips.
"Of course. But now, there is something more important."