That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 7
Olivia plunged the oars back into the water, determined to reach the spot she had envisioned. The deeper water frightened her, making it harder to return, so she planned to execute her idea in a suitable location.
And everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, life rarely goes as planned.
The boat, which had been moving forward slowly but steadily, suddenly jolted to a stop as if it had snagged on something. This caused Olivia, who had been standing to row, to sway dangerously.
Losing her grip on the oars, she flailed her arms in a futile attempt to regain her balance, but all she caught was a refreshing breeze.
As the boat teetered on the brink of capsizing, Usher charged toward her like a raging bull.
“Olivia!”
The water only reached mid-thigh on Usher, yet he rushed to her, pulling Olivia up from where she sat stunned in the water. He showered her with concern.
“Is anything broken? Did you hit your head when you fell? Are you okay? Hmm? Have you lost weight? Why are you so bony? Are you really alive?”
Usher continuously fussed over Olivia’s body, and when his hands began to stray to inappropriate places, Olivia finally came to her senses.
“Wait, wait a moment!”
She gently pushed against Usher, who was pressed closely against her. The shock of being submerged was one thing, but the scent emanating from him was intoxicating, making her feel overwhelmed.
It was fresh yet somehow exuded a distinctly masculine aroma that enveloped her in a way that was dizzying.
Unaware of Olivia’s thoughts, Usher grabbed her hands that were pushing him away and closed the distance even more.
“Are you hurt after all?”
He seemed convinced that she was injured. He scanned her wet body from top to bottom, his gaze lingering. A thick droplet of water clung to her eyelashes and fell onto her cheek, tracing a path like a tear before dangling at her delicate chin.
Feeling her body stiffen awkwardly under his watchful gaze, Olivia realized it was not the look of someone searching for injuries. It was as if he was admiring something beautiful, or as if he had come to a profound realization, his eyes glowing with warmth.
Finally, the droplet that had precariously hung there fell onto her collarbone and quickly disappeared between her b*****s. Usher’s gaze followed it, caught in a trance.
The already low-cut dress, soaked in water, clung tightly to her body, nearly exposing her entirely. Furthermore, the damp fabric showcased her curves in a way that was almost tantalizing.
“Ah…”
Usher let out a sound that was almost a groan.
At the low, sultry tone, Olivia’s lips parted slightly. Her heart raced, sending a wave of dizziness through her. When she unconsciously pulled at Usher’s shirt, he squeezed his eyes shut. A hint of red had spread across his chest, visible between the gaps of his shirt, and his face was flushed as well.
It was only after Olivia took in his expression that she came to her senses. The intense, golden gaze that seemed ready to consume her faded, allowing her to breathe a little easier.
“Ha…”
She let out a sigh of relief but didn’t loosen her grip on Usher’s shirt.
After all, how often did she get a chance like this?
“Um…”
“Usher. Call me Usher.”
Before she knew it, he was looking at her with thirsty eyes, devouring her face hungrily. It was as if all his previous timidity had vanished. Usher held her gaze with a heat that made her back tingle.
* * *
In the sunlight dancing on the lake’s surface, how beautiful we must have looked gazing at each other.
Do you know how much your eyes, roaming over my wet body, made me tremble?
It’s embarrassing to admit, but I thought you would embrace me at that moment. I believed you couldn’t hold back.
You had been pursuing me daily, yet you hadn’t even brushed against me, and I thought you must have been holding back quite a bit.
Until then, I hadn’t shown my feelings, but I expected you to repress and force me like others who stalked me.
I imagined you would tightly hold my rebellious body and eagerly lap up the lake water pooling between my chest, tearing away the clingy dress and teasing the peaks of my curves.
And finally, you would lay me on the wildflowers that welcomed us and mark me as your own.
But it’s strange, isn’t it? A part of me thought that if it were you, I wouldn’t mind at all.
Yet you didn’t act that way. Even while confessing your feelings through letters, while following me and gazing at me so intently, you remained a gentleman.
* * *
“So you went all the way there but couldn’t say a word and just came back?”
Oliver looked at his sister as if she were pathetic. Usually, such a look would have sent Olivia’s hand flying toward him, but today she remained in a daze. Wrapped snugly in a fluffy blanket, holding a warm cup of milk, she resembled an old woman who had lived her life.
“You must have eyes, too. Do you not see how lethal that face is?”
As she spoke, the heat rose in her cheeks, turning them bright red.
