Chapter 5

The moment our bodies touched, I let out a sigh of pleasure.

My entire soul seemed to melt.

Endless warmth flowed from Mason into me.

I didn’t have to do anything. His burning body heat simply came close to mine.

I loved it.

Transferring schools had been the best decision I’d ever made. I had met Mason.

Mason was mine.

Mason stopped breathing.

The only sound was his heartbeat, growing faster and louder with every beat.

My fingers pressed into the small of his back, stroking the spot I couldn’t get enough of.

“Mason, breathe.”

His breath blasted against my ear.

I rubbed against him in satisfaction.

I was so happy.

Thanks to Mason, I had felt comfortable all afternoon.

So warm that I felt like a normal person.

About ten minutes later, I felt moisture against my collar.

Mason stiffly placed me on the couch.

His back faced me as his body trembled slightly. I could hear the faintest sound of sobbing.

He lowered his head and kept apologizing.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry…”

“I was wrong. It’s all my fault…”

I sighed and cautiously placed my hand against his spine.

“It’s okay. This is a normal physical reaction.”

“I don’t mind.”

But Mason began trembling even harder.

He muttered as though trapped in a trance,

“Cut it off. Cut it off. It’s dirty. So dirty…”

Something was wrong.

I forcibly turned him around.

Mason’s eyes were empty. His gaze couldn’t focus on anything, and tears silently rolled down his face.

I panicked.

I hadn’t even done anything!

With no other choice, I silently repeated the words body heat several times.

I had chosen him. I had to comfort him.

I carefully wiped Mason’s tears and coaxed him.

“Mason, don’t cry, okay?”

I patted his back mechanically.

How could he cry so much?

Mason’s beautiful eyes were swollen and red.

He looked nothing like the powerful school bully who ruled Westbrook High.

No matter what I said, Mason barely reacted.

He just kept crying.

I really wanted to cut down whoever had given him this kind of trauma!

If he cried every time, how was I supposed to study?

This was enough time to finish an entire biology practice exam!

Mason hissed.

Oh.

I had been angry, and I hadn’t realized how hard I was patting him.

The skin beneath his eyes had turned even redder.

He finally came back to himself and asked with a pout,

“Am I a lot of trouble?”

“It’s okay…”

“We can pretend we never signed the contract. I’ll leave right now.”

I blinked.

Did I really look like some gullible sucker?

I gritted my teeth.

“Go to the bathroom right now and cover your eyes with a hot towel!”

“Set a timer. Come find me in thirty minutes.”

I had originally planned to let Mason sleep in the guest room.

But now I didn’t feel like inconveniencing myself at all.

He could sleep on the floor in my room!

I tied our wrists together with a piece of rope and stared at Mason dangerously.

“Keep holding my hand. Don’t let go.”

“I think we need to get used to each other. That way, you won’t cry again.”

Mason nodded obediently.

“Okay. I won’t let go.”

I rolled my eyes.

Being beautiful really was an advantage. It was impossible to stay angry at him.

Mason leaned against the headboard.

The room was dark, but his voice was gentle.

“Go to sleep.”

My heart suddenly skipped.

I wanted to open my eyes, but I squeezed them shut instead. My lashes trembled.

Other than my grandfather, Mason was the first person who had ever stayed beside me while I slept.

Mason tucked my blanket around me. His voice was soft and soothing.

“Sleep peacefully. I won’t let go.”