âThank you so much once again, Shin. I know youâre busy soâ¦thank you for spending time with me,â I thanked him again.
âThereâs no need to thank me. Iâm always happy to help. I had a good time too,â Shin replied with a pleasant smile.
âThank you for sharing your medical knowledge with me. I know you mentioned that you were no expert, but I think that youâre really knowledgeable,â I said enthusiastically. It didnât expect to find someone who shared my passion so close by. He reminded me of the talks I used to have with Uncle Gobei and so he reminded me of home.
âEnough compliments, youâre making me shy. Itâs getting late, you should head inside,â Shin said.
âYeaâ¦I should goâ¦â I said hesitantly as I slowly turned and headed for the entrance of the hot springs.
â¦
I stood completely naked at the edge of the hot spring and looked around in amazement. I honestly always thought that hot springs were a small round little pool of hot water. However, this hot spring was as large as a house if not larger. The shape was not uniform, showing that it was naturally made.
I gazed at the water; its surface covered by white steam of vapor. It looks a little like the clouds. I could feel the warmth and humidity from the water even without having touched it. I sat down on my knee as I slowly dipped my fingers into the water.
The water was slightly warmer than I had imagined. Slowly I sat down and eased my legs into the water. Wow, this feels so relaxing. It was no wonder that they said that hot springs have medical properties. After kicking my leg leisurely for a while, I slowly slid into the water. The spring wasnât deep.
I stood up and the water reached a little higher than my waist. I lowered myself down so that the water reached my neck level. I smiled happily as I started humming absentmindedly to myself. Rubbing my skin, I thought that my skin felt softer than before. This makes me so happy.
This hot spring is probably the best thing that has happened to me since I entered the capital. I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes in bliss as I relaxed and enjoyed myself. All the troubles can wait till laterâ¦
âEnjoying yourself?â
A deep voice asked teasingly from behind me.
I whirled around in shock as I wrapped both my arms around my breasts protectively.
Ren was crouched down on the side of the hot spring, laughing a little as he watched my embarrassed reaction. Needless to say, he was completely naked. I closed my eyes and looked away in shock. When did he get in here? How long has he been sitting there? I didnât hear him come in at allâ¦
âWhy are you here?â I asked in shock. I crouched down low so that the water and steam would hide my naked form.
âTo soak in the hot spring,â Ren replied casually. I could feel his eyes on my face.
âHow did you get in? The maids assured me that they wouldnât let anyone else in,â I said, confused.
Thereâs also the matter of this man here lying and tricking me so shamelessly that the maids couldnât speak. Waitâ¦I should not be thinking about that right now. How am I supposed to get out of here without him seeing me completely naked?
âExcept for me, that is. You do know that I am your man, right?â Ren replied bluntly.
âAnywaysâ¦I should leave,â I said hurriedly.
âWhere are you going in such a hurry?â Ren asked as an amused smile curved his lips.
Slowly Ren got into the hot spring and walked leisurely towards me. I could see the beautifully sculpted muscles of his upper body and arms clearly as he came closer to me. The waters brushing around his hips as he walked.
Instinctively, I took shaky step backwards to retreat further away from him.
âWhere are you going?â Ren asked in a low voice as he grabbed my wrist in his strong grip, pulling me towards him.
âRenâ¦please,â I whispered in a pleading voice.
I tried my best to keep my nakedness under the steamy water. However, that was getting more difficult with Ren pulling on my wrist.
âStand up, Rinâ¦â Ren whispered as he looked down at me.
âNoâ¦please let go of me,â I continued to plead.
âYou know, if you donât stand upâ¦you wonât be able to get out of here,â Ren teased, his eyes never leaving my face.
True. However, if I stand up, heâll see me naked all the way down to my waist.
âCan you please close your eyes? Iâll leave as fast as I canâ¦â I pleaded desperately.
âNo. I never said that I wanted you to leave,â Ren said, clearly amused.
âIâ¦Ren, please let me leaveâ¦â I continued to plead with him, as I tried to pull my hand away from his strong grip.
âStand upâ¦let me see your beautiful body, Rin,â Ren commanded as both his hands gripped my wrists and began pulling me up and onto my feet.
âNo! Please!â I cried out in panic as I felt my body being pulled effortlessly to my feet.
I felt the water splash down my body as the top part of my body emerged from the water. I managed to yank my wrists free and quickly covered my naked breasts to hide them from his sight.
âDonât hide from meâ¦let me see,â Ren whispered seductively and I could feel his hungry eyes on my naked body.
I shook my head from side to side. However, I couldnât resist against him as his hands pulled away my hands from my breasts. He effortlessly held my wrists in one hand as he pulled my arms high above my head, exposing my naked breasts to his hungry eyes.
I felt his eyes on my naked body as he caressed me with his stare. My body suddenly felt hotter, and I began panting softly, my chest rising up and down.
âWhy do you look so scared? Are you scared of meâ¦or the things that Iâll do to you?â Ren teased me mercilessly.
Heâs right. I was scared. I was scared of what he would do to me and how he would make me feel. I was scared that my body would react to his caresses and kisses.
--To be continuedâ¦