The moment her fingertip brushed against his Adam's apple, he flinched as if startled. Simultaneously, she felt a distinct hardening against her.

Jiang Yi quickly withdrew her hand. "S-sorry."

Finally, Zhong Cheng broke. The coolness in his eyes melted away, replaced by a heated intensity. He leaned down, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss.

A gasp escaped Jiang Yi. Caught off guard, her eyes, still open for a fraction of a second, registered the desire in his before fluttering closed.

With her eyes shut, her other senses heightened. She felt his tongue, insistent and skillful, exploring the soft recesses of her mouth, tracing her gums, teasing her tongue in a slow, sensual dance.

His arms tightened around her waist, a band of steel holding her captive.

The kiss was fierce, demanding.

Jiang Yi felt herself melting against him, pliant and boneless.

Finally, the kiss broke. Jiang Yi's lips remained parted, a thin trickle of saliva escaping the corner of her mouth.

And Zhong Cheng, the fastidious Zhong Cheng, licked it away.

"Leave your mouth open like that and I'll kiss you again," his voice, low and husky, sent a shiver down her spine.

Jiang Yi snapped her mouth shut, swallowing. Only then did she realize how close they were.

She shifted, trying to create some distance.

"Don't move," Zhong Cheng warned, his voice tight.

Jiang Yi froze, remembering the very evident reason why.

She remained still, acutely aware of his arousal. "W-what do we do?" she whispered, looking up at him.

The kiss had left her cheeks flushed, a delicate, almost drunken blush. Her eyes, still shimmering with unshed tears, held a captivating allure that made his blood rush.

With a sigh, Zhong Cheng pulled her head down against his chest, burying his face in her hair. "Just stay still. Be good."

"...Okay."

The drive from the Zhong residence to the school took only twenty minutes. They spent the first ten kissing, the next ten in tense silence. By the time the car stopped, the hazy flush on Jiang Yi's face had faded somewhat, and Zhong Cheng seemed to have regained control.

They got out of the car at the intersection across from the school. They still had a short walk ahead of them.

Jiang Yi couldn't help but steal glances at his groin.

It had subsided. But it still looked… prominent.

Zhong Cheng frowned, catching her looking. "What?"

Jiang Yi blushed, shaking her head. "N-nothing."

He deliberately slowed his pace, waiting for her to catch up. As she drew alongside, he leaned in, murmuring in her ear, "If you like it so much, I'll let you lick it tonight."

Jiang Yi's heart leaped into her throat. Her cheeks burned as she darted nervous glances around them.

He… he… how could he say such a thing?!

Zhong Cheng watched her reaction, a hint of amusement softening his features. He straightened, resuming his walk.

Jiang Yi hurried after him, suddenly realizing this was the first time they'd walked this route together.

Why had Zhong Cheng gotten out of the car with her?

Usually, she'd have the driver stop at the intersection to avoid being seen with him. He’d never commented on it before, content to let her slip away unnoticed. Except for that one time she'd fallen asleep in the car, they'd never exited together.

Why today?

Zhong Cheng stopped after a few steps, glancing back when he realized she wasn't following closely.

She trailed behind him, like a shy little shadow.

He waited for her to catch up, but instead of walking beside him, she kept a couple of steps behind.

Just like a little tail.