Lynsandra drew a deep breath, clutching Elias’s jacket as the movement of his tongue felt... too invasive. It twirled around hers, his lips controlling hers hungrily. He pressed his body against her, her back pressing harder against the side of the car.

Elias, on the other hand, bit her lip out of pure frustration and excitement. Her lips were soft, her tongue sweet. The way her body heated up against him inflamed his own, tempting him for more. His heart thudded against his chest, and he knew she could feel it.

Every movement of his lips, every press of his touch against hers, every soft flick of his tongue against hers roused him.

Peeking, he lifted his gaze toward August, who had stepped out of the driver’s seat. A glint flickered across Elias’s eyes as he kissed her just a little longer, deliberately, making sure August saw it. But before she could kick him straight into outer space, he pulled away.

He panted, resting his forehead against hers. His head throbbed—and soon, his entire body followed. He didn’t want to part with her. Even when he knew he should, he was too enthralled to do so.

"Damn," he breathed as he pulled back just enough to see her lips, redder now, slightly swollen. And yet, he stupidly blurted out, "I didn’t feel it. Let me do it again—"

Just as he leaned in for a second round, Lynsandra placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back.

"Why?" was the first question that left her lips. She looked confused—utterly confused.

"Why?" he repeated, assuming she meant why he kissed her.

That wasn’t her question.

Her real question was why he was sprinting toward death.

"I saw what he did," Elias said, lowering himself to her level and pointing toward August. "He kissed you. I should too."

Lynsandra tilted her head slightly. "Do you think my lips are public property?"

"It should be," he nodded seriously. "It’ll be my favorite spot."

For some reason, she leaned back and covered her lips.

[Go, tell her! That’s harem property!]

"Those are harem property now," Elias added, pointing at her lips hidden behind her hand. Then he smiled as if a brilliant idea had just struck him. "If someone else kisses you again, I’ll erase them with mine. Same with someone else touching you. I’ll knot you."

"..."

Elias blinked, studying her reaction. She wasn’t flustered, but the way she covered her mouth made him smile for stupid reasons.

[She’s cute. Drag her into the bedroom. Maybe she’s shy there.]

Fuck you, Draven. She’s going to kill both of us.

"Watch out," Elias said, straightening with a satisfied smirk. "Just telling you."

With that, he turned and walked away casually, laughing. He wiped his lips with his thumb, licking the other side.

"Damn, that’s hot," he muttered. "And I’m hard."

[Worth jerking off to later, and you did it in front of that arrogant August!]

"Yeah, yeah, now you’re talking," Elias waved lazily, ignoring Draven as the memory replayed in his mind. "She responded, didn’t she?"

[She did.]

Elias stopped mid-step, replaying the moment he yanked her out of the car and kissed her. She could’ve shoved him away immediately, but she didn’t.

She let him.

It made him smile and chuckle, enough to make him forget how awful his day had been.

Meanwhile, Lynsandra watched Elias walk away after saying all that. She slowly lowered her hand from her lips, curiosity swirling in her eyes.

August’s gaze followed Elias briefly before returning to Lynsandra. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and something else—something he couldn’t quite read.

"Did he... just tell me to watch out?" she murmured, quiet enough for August to hear. She let out an airy chuckle and glanced at him, saying nothing more.

Instead, Lynsandra rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck before marching after Elias.

Suddenly, Elias stopped in the middle of the driveway, completely lost in thought.

Lynsandra picked up her pace, breaking into a short run. Just as she reached him, she slowed, lifted her foot, and kicked.

"Watch out."

Elias barely registered her voice before he was sent flying across the driveway. His body tumbled pathetically like a ragdoll, rolling hard against the concrete. Before he could react, a weight slammed onto his back, arms wrapping tightly around his thigh and yanking it backward.

"Ah—ahhh!" Elias yelped as his hip screamed in protest. "Hey—ah—my hipbone!"

That was not safe for his groin.

"My arm or leg — not that one!"

August, still standing where he was, narrowed his eyes at the one-sided wrestling match unfolding before him.

Lynsandra kept pulling Elias’s leg back, half her body pressed against his back like a professional grappler. Then...

Snap.

"Ack—!" Elias sucked in a sharp breath as his leg popped out of place. "Ugh..."

The weight lifted off his back almost instantly. When he cracked an eye open, Lynsandra was already standing, adjusting her purse as she looked down at him.

"You should be the one watching out, Elias Hale," she said coolly. "And my lips are not harem property. The harem is my property."

"Ugh..." Elias groaned, rolling onto his back with effort. His pained grunts slowly dissolved into weak laughter. "Still worth it."

She frowned, and lightly kicked his side. It was a very light kick that barely moved him.

"Still worth it," he repeated, chuckling despite the pain.

Lynsandra stepped back, scrunching her face. "Elias, if you’re thirsty, I’ll permit you to visit the Red District."

"Thirsty?" he groaned lazily. "Lynsandra, this isn’t thirst. This is dehydration!"

She shook her head and walked away, leaving behind his laughter and groans echoing together. But as she created distance, the corners of her lips slowly curled upward.

[He is a good kisser.]

"Which one?"

[You know who I’m talking to.]

Lynsandra chuckled softly but didn’t respond. Just before disappearing inside, she could still hear Elias shouting behind her.

"I have like three hundred bones, Lynsandra! I’ll give them all to you for another round!"

"Two hundred eighty-nine," she corrected under her breath without looking back.

*

*

*

"Ugh..." Elias groaned, lying flat on the concrete. His brows twitched as August walked past him.

"Hey, doc," Elias called. "A little help?"

August paused, glanced down at him, blinked once, and walked away.

"Damn you!" Elias shouted, not even bothering to chase him.

Instead, he rested his arms beneath his head and stared up at the stars, lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

"Lynsandra is fun... hot, and strong," he murmured. "No wonder Cassian’s obsessed with her. I think I’m heading down the same path."

[I’m already on that path for Enlly.]