Devilish secretary - Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Chapter 271 Unhappy Gray
Gray was just about to knock on Lilith’s door…his mind still lingering on the feel of her lips, the warmth of her touch, and the satisfaction of finally getting rid of that cursed feline..when he heard a hesitant voice behind him.

“Brother…”

He turned around slowly, already sensing a disturbance in his peaceful plan.

Ethan stood there, scratching the back of his neck, looking unusually guilty. His eyes weren’t sparkling with mischief like usual. Instead, they held uncertainty… and something close to regret.

Gray’s brows drew together. “Yes?”

“Can we talk? Just a few minutes…” Ethan asked, lowering his voice as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear.

Gray sighed internally, the ghost of Lilith’s smile flashing in his mind. He could almost hear her humming softly behind that door. But he nodded anyway, tightening his jaw.

“Alright,” he said calmly. “Let’s talk.”

Ethan looked down for a second and then gestured to outside. “Let’s go for a small walk?”

Gray didn’t argue.

As they stepped out into the garden path dimly lit by vintage lamps, Gray slid his hands into his pockets, waiting for his brother to speak.

“I…” Ethan began, staring at the ground as they walked. “I feel like… I ruined things for you. And for everyone. Especially today.”

Gray glanced at him. “You mean when you vanished into the forest and came back married?”

Ethan winced. “Yes.”

Silence.

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temple. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I was just… being me. And now everything’s a mess. You got stressed. Everyone’s tense. And Tara… I don’t even know what to do with her.”

Gray was quiet for a moment, then said in a low voice, “You’re right. You are the mess.”

Ethan stopped. “Okay, that was harsh—”

“But,” Gray continued, glancing at the moonlight filtering through the trees, “you didn’t do it out of malice. Just stupidity.”

“Wow,” Ethan said flatly. “Thanks, I feel so much better.”

A small smile threatened the corner of Gray’s lips. He looked at Ethan fully now, his face a bit softer. “You didn’t ruin anything. We’re just adjusting. Life’s messy, Ethan. You just bring the chaos a little earlier than expected.”

Ethan blinked. “Was that… an insult or comfort?”

“Both,” Gray said simply.

Ethan suddenly laughed, shaking his head. “Well, damn. Maybe I should disappear into the forest more often.”

“Don’t,” Gray said immediately. “Next time, I’m not coming to find you.”

As they neared the garden steps again, Ethan stopped and looked at him seriously.

“But really… are you okay now?”

Gray looked up at the stars for a moment before nodding. “I’m fine. Just… go easy on yourself. And Tara.”

Ethan sighed. “I’ll try. She’s not exactly thrilled with me either.”

They both walked back in silence, one carrying guilt and the other, quiet understanding.

But Gray’s thoughts had already wandered back to that door… and the woman behind it.

He still had unfinished business.

Gray pushed the door open gently, heart racing just a little faster than usual. The soft scent of Lilith’s perfume still lingered in the air, wrapping around him like an invisible thread that pulled him deeper inside.

His eyes found her almost instantly—curled up in bed, her long black hair fanned across the pillow like silk, her breath slow and even in sleep. The moonlight spilling through the window kissed her bare shoulder, making her skin glow against the dark sheets.

He froze.

Just a second ago, he’d imagined her awake—flushed cheeks, teasing smirk, pulling him down by his collar. That robe she wore was already driving him mad without her even trying. His chest tightened with a hunger he couldn’t explain.

But now…

Now she looked like an angel who’d fallen asleep before casting her spell.

His expression soured like a grumpy child denied candy.

He stood still for a full minute, pouting at her in silence before finally giving in and climbing onto the bed. His arms slipped around her waist, hugging her close from behind as he buried his face against her hair.

His body still ached, his head pulsing from the earlier stress but all of that slowly faded just by holding her.

Still, something inside him wasn’t satisfied.

His fingers moved on their own, pulling her gently until she rolled onto him, her cheek resting against his chest, one leg lazily thrown over his. He exhaled shakily, eyes locked on her sleeping face.

“Hmm?” she mumbled groggily, barely opening her eyes. When she saw him staring, she reached up and covered his eyes with her palm.

“Stop looking. Let me sleep,” she muttered and shifted again, her voice warm and sleepy as her head found a new spot over his heartbeat.

He smiled—but didn’t stop.

“Lili…” he whispered. “I… want to kiss you.”

His hands slid slowly across her back, feeling the smooth fabric of the nightdress. It made her skin feel like it was melting into his.

“Nope,” she said plainly, without even moving.

“Lili…” he whined like a restless puppy, almost laughing.

“Someone told me… they wanted to wait till marriage,” she murmured drowsily, pulling his own words or rather, Alexander’s like a knife dipped in honey.

Gray went quiet.

Of course, that had been Alexander. Classic, soul-believing Alexander. The type who probably had a checklist titled “Ten Steps to a Perfect Proposal.”

Gray… was not that.

Respect? Sure.

Patience? He was trying.

But self-control? Rapidly thinning.

“Lilith…” he tried again, his voice husky now, pleading.

With her eyes still closed, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips—just a gentle peck and then flopped back down over him like a sleepy kitten.

“Goodnight,” she whispered.

Gray stared at the ceiling.

“…I’m going to explode,” he muttered under his breath.

Very, very slowly, he lifted her off his body, making sure not to wake her. He groaned when he stood—the ache between his legs was very real now. He looked down and sighed.

“…Why is she so powerful?” he whispered like a man betrayed by fate.

No time to waste. He walked briskly to the bathroom, only to remember there were no spare clothes here.

“Of course.”

He grabbed the nearest pillow to hide his… situation… and tiptoed out of the room toward his own like a cursed lover from a forbidden drama.

As he reached his door, he glanced back toward hers and muttered:

“One day, Lily… I’ll touch you in ways that make you forget time. Sleep will seem like a distant dream when your nights are spent gasping under me.”