CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: TALIA, IS THAT OKAY? (NEW)

Being so close, the man’s warm breath fell on her neck, and the fresh, pleasant scent of his woody perfume filled her senses.

Talia’s nerves suddenly tightened, and her breathing became rapid.

After Adrian Jennings finished speaking, he lowered his eyes, gazing at Talia’s lips that were just inches away, and leaned in with his own lips.

The gentle warmth fell on Talia’s lips, very light, like a feather softly brushing by.

"So sweet."

Talia’s heart pounded, and she instinctively began to breathe lightly, lying motionless on the bed in nervousness.

The reward Adrian mentioned, could it be...

She had never experienced anything like this before, becoming more and more nervous.

Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest.

Noticing the girl’s tension, Adrian left her lips, chuckled lightly, "Relax, Talia, I won’t eat you."

After saying this, Adrian kissed her again.

At first, his kisses were gentle and shallow, like a taste and stop.

Talia was surprised, thinking perhaps she was overthinking it?

Quickly, she changed her mind.

Adrian’s kiss gradually deepened, the sweet peach flavor lingered between their lips, and Talia began to feel breathless.

She interlocked her fingers with Adrian, and the blood in her body seemed to boil, her body heating up intensely.

Everything happened naturally.

When it came to the final step, Adrian paused and asked her, "Talia, is it okay?"

Talia nodded with a flushed face.

There was a box containing condoms on the nightstand.

After taking safety measures, Adrian proceeded.

It was a brand new experience for Talia.

Before coming, she thought about their first time together.

Calculating the time, she had been together with Adrian for several months already, it wasn’t too soon.

At first, Adrian was very gentle, afraid of hurting her, and then gradually increased the intensity.

Talia was lost in desire, completely disoriented, floating and sinking with Adrian.

It wasn’t until the later part of the night that Adrian finally stopped.

Talia drifted into sleep, barely aware.

She slept until the next afternoon.

Talia groggily opened her eyes; it was already three in the afternoon.

The space next to her was empty; Adrian had already gotten up.

It had snowed all night, and outside the window was a world covered in white, everything dressed in silver, like a dreamlike fairyland.

Outside, tourists were building snowmen and having snowball fights, laughing and playing, very lively.

Her bed was next to the window, and Talia watched through the glass for a while, suddenly wanting to go outside and build a snowman.

"Awake? Are you hungry?" Adrian’s voice came from behind.

Talia turned her head and saw him holding a tray with a bowl of porridge and some pastries.

Adrian placed the tray on the small round table, "I just went downstairs to buy your favorite century egg and lean pork congee and some special snacks from Riverbend Old Town. Want to try them?"

Talia nodded, "Okay, let me freshen up first."

Talia slipped on her pajamas and got out of bed, nearly stumbling as her feet touched the floor.

Adrian, quick on his feet, caught her and pulled her into his arms, his tone meaningful, "Legs gone weak?"

Talia’s cheeks burned; she hadn’t felt it so clearly while in bed, but standing up, she realized how weak and sore she was.

It seemed he had been a bit too much last night.

Seeing Talia’s reddened face and silence, Adrian’s voice was low, with a hint of laughter, "Sorry, sweetheart, I was too rough last night. Let me carry you to the bathroom."

Talia puffed up her cheeks, "But I wanted to go play in the snow outside, how can I go out like this?"

Adrian chuckled, "It’s just temporary, walk around a bit in the room to get used to it, and you’ll be fine."

Adrian carried her to the bathroom, putting her down in front of the sink.

Talia still felt a bit unsteady, the soreness in the upper thighs particularly pronounced, and her calves a bit stiff.

Adrian pressed closely behind her, wrapping his arms around Talia’s waist, "Talia, I’ve got you."

Talia: "..."

It was her first time needing support just to freshen up.

Talia grabbed her cup and filled it with water, then squeezed out some toothpaste.

Traveling, she usually brought her own toiletries and disposable sheets.

As Talia brushed her teeth, Adrian stood behind her, holding her, their bodies reflected together in the mirror.

Talia looked at Adrian in the mirror.

On his neck were two dark red kiss marks.

Those were left by her last night in moments of passion.

Thinking of the spicy and provocative scenes from last night, Talia’s cheeks started to turn red again.

This slight change didn’t escape Adrian’s eyes.

He looked at Talia in the mirror, curved his lips, and smiled, asking, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, nothing at all." Talia’s eyes dodged, feeling a bit guilty.

A few minutes later, after freshening up, Adrian turned her to face him, leaning down to take a gentle sniff.

"Baby smells so nice."

Talia’s face heated up with shyness, "How come you keep changing what you call me, one moment to the next."

Adrian curled his lips in a slight smile, his voice deep and sexy, "Don’t you like it?"

Talia’s face turned crimson, her eyes downcast and silent.

Adrian’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze deep and inviting, his voice somewhat hoarse and enticing, "Baby, you look so cute with a red face, I want to kiss you."

Adrian lightly tapped his thin lips with his index finger.

"Give me a kiss."

Talia obediently leaned in and dropped a quick kiss on his lips like a dragonfly skimming the surface.

"Good girl." Adrian was thoroughly satisfied.

Having indulged enough the night before, today he’d make do with just a kiss.

Last night he only asked twice, each time lasting a bit long; today, she was a bit unaccustomed. Starting too intensely would scare her.

After all, there was plenty of time in the future.

Adrian supported Talia as they walked out of the bathroom, "Get used to it slowly, we’ll go build a snowman later."

The girl’s face reddened, and she murmured almost inaudibly, "Mm."

Even though they’d already had one intimate encounter the previous night, the topic still made her shy when discussed while fully awake, especially seeing Adrian’s meaningful expression, causing scenes from last night’s bed to uncontrollably replay in Talia’s mind.

The heat waves surged, their breaths indistinguishable, each wave consuming and swallowing her.

The specialty pastries from Riverbend Old Town were sweet but not cloying, crisp and flavorful, pairing perfectly with the savory century egg and thin pork congee.

After breakfast, Talia wanted to go outside to play in the snow and take photos.

She spent over an hour applying a detailed full makeup, her slightly curled long hair casually draped over her shoulders, and put on a milky white, thick down jacket.

Adrian wrapped a burgundy scarf around Talia’s neck, "It’s cold outside, wear a scarf."

The courtyard below the guesthouse had wax plum fragrance, with red plums standing proud against the snow, competing in beauty, and blooming beautifully.

A young couple was building snowmen nearby, and a row of distinctive, miniature snowmen were placed on the low courtyard wall.

Talia walked over to observe and exclaimed, "Wow, these little snowmen are so cute. Can I take pictures with them?"

The girl smiled and said, "Of course, you can."

Talia smiled with eyes curved, "Thank you."

She beckoned to Adrian, "Adrian, come help me take a picture, include these little snowmen too."

Adrian had brought a professional photography SLR, adjusted the settings, and aimed the lens at Talia.

After the snow, the sun broke through gently with a soft warmth, the girl smiled brightly in the lens like spring sunlight, her backdrop a row of charming little snowmen like delightful little spirits.