The Engineer Falls for His Sweet-Scented Maid - Chapter 42: An Embrace and a Kiss, Wide Awake

Nianhe’s heart hammered.

Both hands were behind her, her fingers digging into the gaps between the bricks. “We’re… we’re going out together,” she stammered.

“I didn’t hear you.” Huai deliberately leaned closer, his breath falling over her small nose. “Say it again.”

With nowhere to retreat, she bit her lower lip and spoke a little louder. “We’re going out together.”

“Then tell me, to my face, what I am to you now.” He pressed her further.

Even her ears burned red.

Why did he insist on hearing such embarrassing words?

She swallowed. Her voice was soft, with a barely perceptible tremor. “My… boyfriend.”

From her lips, the word was sweeter and more alluring than even her milk scent.

Huai swallowed hard twice.

Two nights ago, he had been drunk. He had memories, but they were veiled in alcohol.

Now he was completely sober.

Fully aware as he watched this lovely girl cornered before him. Fully aware as he heard her acknowledge their relationship.

He wanted to feel her, unmistakably real.

“Since we’re going out together…” His voice was rough. “It can’t all be words.”

Nianhe stared at him with wide, bright eyes. “Then… what else do we have to do?”

“Hug.” He said it as though it were perfectly obvious.

She drew a sharp breath and hurriedly guarded her chest with both hands. “No! It’s broad daylight. Someone could come past at any moment!”

“No one comes behind the water tower. You said yourself that I have a bad temper and block people’s doors at night.” He lowered his head, coaxing. “Give me a hug now, and I promise I won’t come to your door at night again.”

Nianhe was stunned by his shamelessness.

The mayor’s son, usually cold as ice—how could he be so practiced at bargaining in private?

But she really was afraid he would come looking for her at night again.

If Huizhen or Liping found out, she was finished.

“Just one hug?” she asked quietly.

“Mm.” Huai straightened and opened his arms, leaving it to her. “You hug me. Tightly.”

She hesitated for a long time.

Before her was his broad, solid chest. His white short-sleeved shirt was spotless and smelled pleasantly of soapberry.

Slowly, furtively, she reached out and slipped her arms around his waist.

His waist was firm. Through the fabric, she could feel the taut lines of muscle.

She held him only loosely, afraid to press herself close.

Huai was dissatisfied with such a perfunctory embrace.

He lowered his arms, caught her lower back, and pulled her firmly against him.

“Oof.”

Nianhe fell against his chest, her cheek pressed to his shirt.

Her unmistakable fullness was compressed between them.

Sweetness escaped beyond her control, more than ten times stronger than before.

“That’s a hug.” His chin rested on her crown, his arms tight around her.

Sober, he felt the warm, soft body in his arms.

Felt her remarkable curves fit against his muscles.

Held too tightly to breathe freely, Nianhe clutched the fabric at his sides, unsure what to do.

“Engineer Shen… that’s enough…” she pleaded in a small, wounded voice.

“Don’t call me Engineer Shen.” He did not release her, his palm lightly stroking her lower back. “Use my name.”

How could she dare?

In the Shen household, even Tao gave way to his younger brother. How could a maid presume so much?

“I don’t dare.”

“Why not?” He lowered his head, his lips brushing her earlobe. “You’re my girlfriend now. You should use my name.”

The contact sent a tingling weakness through her. Gritting her teeth, she whispered, “H-Huai Shen.”

A low laugh rumbled in his chest.

He loosened his hold and allowed a little space between them.

Just as Nianhe thought the embrace was over and reached to retrieve her shopping basket, he cupped her face.

The light, rough calluses on his fingertips rested against her smooth cheeks.

“We’ve hugged.” His eyes moved to her rosy lips, his voice falling further. “People who go out together kiss, too.”

Her mind exploded.

“No!” She turned her head in panic and pushed hard against his chest. “Absolutely not! You didn’t say anything about kissing!”

“That was then.” Refusing to be reasonable, he caught her chin and turned her face back. “I was drunk the night before last. That doesn’t count. Today, I have to make up for it sober.”

Without letting her argue, he lowered his head and kissed her.

It was different from the reckless, liquor-scented kiss of two nights ago.

This time, he was utterly sober. His movements were controlled, yet possessed an insistence that would not accept refusal.

His warm lips covered hers.

Nianhe went stiff as a board.

She did not know how to catch her breath, only stared wide-eyed at the man so close to her.

Huai’s eyes were shut, his long lashes casting shadows beneath them.

He caught her lower lip and sucked gently.

She shuddered, her hands instinctively tightening on his shirt.

An electric tingle ran from her lips all the way to her toes.

He cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

He was tempting her, easing apart her defenses bit by bit.

Breathing grew harder. His scent was everywhere.

Tension and the unfamiliar stimulation made her breasts ache with increasing fullness.

Her old blue floral blouse could barely withstand the pressure. Its buttons strained.

The rich milk scent enveloped them both.

It shook his hold on reason.

He released her mouth, kissed from its corner across her cheek, and finally stopped behind her ear.

Her legs had gone weak. Without his supporting arm, she would have slid to the ground.

“You smell so good.” His whisper was ragged.

Sober, he knew exactly what an alluring woman he held.

The corners of Nianhe’s eyes were flushed as she gulped air.

Unable to look at him, she buried her face against his chest like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand.

He did not press her further.

After steadying his breathing, he straightened her rumpled collar and refastened the button that had nearly come undone.

“All right.” He bent, picked up the basket, and put it in her hands. “Go home. Are you sure you don’t want me to take you?”

“I’ll go by myself!”

As if reprieved, Nianhe headed for the main road with the basket, so flustered that she moved the arm and leg on the same side together.

Before she had gone two steps, Huai added unhurriedly behind her, “Remember what you agreed to today. If you dare meet another prospective husband, I’ll announce to the whole compound that you’re my girlfriend.”

She faltered, then hurried faster in alarm.

Leaning against the water tower, Huai watched her flee and lifted a hand to his lips.

Feeling it sober was ten thousand times better than dreaming.