CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 421 CLINGY~

Ruby smiled faintly at his words, her eyes glowing in the warm light. Karl leaned in and brushed her lips again, a teasing kiss, light and sweet. But this time, she lifted her hand to his jaw, angling his face firmly toward hers, and kissed him deeply, taking control.

The sudden change made Karl’s breath hitch. His hands had been on her waist, but now one slid upward, fingers tangling at the back of her nape. Ruby pressed closer, her hair trailing over his cheek.

The towel shifted as she moved, loosening against her curves, but Ruby didn’t falter. She tugged him nearer until his chest pressed fully against hers, her arms tightening around his neck. Karl let out a low sound, half surprise, half surrender, his heart racing under her touch.

She guided him back step by step, lips never parting, until he stumbled onto the bed. He landed with a soft thump against the sheets, looking up at her with wide, breathless eyes. For once, Karl...the one who always teased, who always pulled was the one pulled under.

Ruby leaned over him, her towel slipping further, shadows and light tracing her skin. She pressed her mouth to his again, slower now but with more heat, her body dictating the rhythm. His hands hovered uncertainly at her sides, but she caught one and placed it against her hip, a silent permission.

"Wife..." he whispered hoarsely, his usual grin gone, replaced with something raw.

"Don’t talk," Ruby murmured against his lips, kissing him harder.

Karl obeyed. His fingers slid along her back, his chest rising and falling faster with each second, but it was Ruby who moved first, Ruby who deepened the kiss, Ruby who decided how close they’d go.

The robe slipped to the floor, forgotten. The room filled with the quiet creak of the mattress, their breaths tangling, lips meeting again and again until laughter dissolved into gasps and words no longer mattered.

And as the night stretched on, Ruby stayed in charge—leading, guiding, claiming—while Karl followed, his every wall melting under her touch.

By the time silence returned, the lamp still glowed faintly, painting their tangled forms in gold. Ruby lay curled against his chest, her hair damp, her lips still warm from the last kiss. Karl’s arm tightened around her instinctively, but he said nothing.

He didn’t need to. The night had already said everything.

***

The next morning, Ruby stirred awake, her lashes fluttering as the soft sunlight slipped through the curtains. She shifted slightly, only to feel a surprising weight on her chest. A deep chuckle escaped her throat as she lowered her gaze and found a messy head of fluffy dark hair pressed against her.

"Karl," she murmured, rubbing his head gently. He let out a muffled sound and turned his face against her skin, his lips brushing her collarbone in a lazy pout.

"I have work," Ruby said with a soft laugh, her fingers combing through his tangled hair.

"Umm... nooooo," Karl groaned dramatically, his voice thick with sleep. He burrowed closer, his cheek pressing against her chest like he had no intention of moving. "Work is evil. Wife belongs to bed today."

Ruby rolled her eyes, though her lips curved into a smile. "You sound like a spoiled child."

Karl cracked one eye open, giving her a crooked grin. "Only with you. Let me have this, wife... just five more minutes."

"Five minutes will turn into five hours." Ruby tried to push at his shoulder, but Karl only tightened his arms around her waist, clinging stubbornly.

"Exactly," he mumbled, closing his eyes again. "Five hours of heaven."

Ruby sighed, pretending to be exasperated, but her hand kept stroking his hair. Her heartbeat steadied under his warmth, her lips twitching at his boyish stubbornness.

"Karl," she said softly, "you’re still childish."

"Mm," he hummed, smiling against her skin. "And you love it."

Ruby shook her head, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she let him hold her a little longer, the morning sun spilling over them like a quiet blessing.

After finally managing to peel a clingy Karl off her that morning, Ruby dressed and left for work. The set was already busy when she arrived—the movie was heading into its final stretch, scenes nearly wrapped, but there was still plenty to be done. She moved quickly, checking schedules, reviewing camera notes, and speaking with the crew.

The shooting would finish soon, but Ruby knew the real mountain was waiting for her: post-production. Countless hours of cutting, arranging footage, syncing sound, and ensuring the final product flowed seamlessly. It was the kind of work that drained most people, but Ruby faced it with quiet determination, pen tapping against her clipboard as she gave instructions.

Meanwhile, Karl and Kaelan had happily trotted off to the spa with the vouchers. Ruby caught sight of the text Karl had sent her—an excited photo of the two of them in matching silk robes, posing with ridiculous grins and thumbs up. She sighed, shaking her head, though a reluctant smile tugged at her lips.

I was the one who won the game, she thought, pressing her temples. And they’re the ones enjoying it.

Still, Ruby didn’t complain. She poured her focus back into the work at hand, knowing her responsibilities couldn’t wait.

***

Meanwhile, at a luxurious retreat known as Soul Rejuvenation Spa, the air was thick with the scent of lavender oils and faint steam curling from golden bowls. The walls glimmered in soft cream and jade tones, lit by amber lanterns that gave everything a serene glow. Gentle music drifted in the background, the kind that lulled the body into relaxation. Kaelan and Karl sat side by side on plush reclining chairs, wrapped in fresh white robes, their hair still damp from the herbal soak.

Kaelan leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, but his gaze shifted when something caught his attention. His brows furrowed. "Hey... what’s this?" he asked, tilting his head and pointing toward Karl’s neck.

Karl blinked, startled, before glancing down in confusion. His hand automatically brushed over his skin, fingers grazing the faint reddish mark at the base of his throat. The moment he registered it, his cheeks burned hotly, color rising faster than he could hide.

To be continued... 🪄