Chapter 87: New Mission… Again
David realized something then.
This was the first time Holly had ever kissed him.
Really kissed him.
Not some fleeting peck.
Not something hesitant.
She’d kissed him like she’d already made up her mind.
Somehow...
That was what made him slow down.
He’d thought about this before.
More times than he cared to admit.
He’d imagined what it’d feel like to finally close the distance between them.
But imagination hadn’t prepared him for Holly.
For the way she melted into the kiss.
For the way her lips kept finding his again every time they drifted apart.
The hunger inside him was still there.
If anything, it only grew stronger.
Every second they stayed like this made it harder to think.
Harder to remember that the movie was still playing.
Harder to remember there was a world outside this couch.
Even then...
Some part of him refused to rush her.
Their lips separated just enough for both of them to catch a breath.
David rested his forehead lightly against hers.
Only then did he notice it.
Sometime during the kiss, her hands had found the front of his shirt.
She wasn’t holding onto it tightly.
Just...
Holding on.
Like she wanted to make sure he didn’t go anywhere.
He looked into her eyes.
"...Are you sure about this?"
Holly didn’t answer.
Not with words.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Then she leaned forward again, closing the tiny distance between them.
"Kiss me, David."
That was all she said.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing rehearsed.
Just four quiet words.
He kissed her again.
Longer this time.
Slower.
The kind of kiss that made it impossible to think about anything else.
The television continued playing somewhere behind them.
A woman screamed.
Glass shattered.
The soundtrack swelled.
Neither of them heard any of it.
Holly’s fingers curled a little tighter around the front of his shirt, gently drawing him closer until he was leaning over her.
The kiss never truly ended.
It only paused whenever they needed another breath.
A soft laugh escaped Holly as she pulled back, her cheeks faintly warm.
"I can’t believe I’m doing this..."
David smiled.
"...Me neither."
She looked at him for another second before reaching for his hand.
"...Come with me."
She didn’t let go of his shirt.
Instead, she guided him gently toward the hallway, her fingers still hooked loosely into the fabric as though she was afraid she’d lose the courage if she let go.
David followed.
Not because she was pulling him.
Because he wanted to.
His eyes drifted over her for only a moment as she walked ahead of him.
Then—
A familiar golden screen appeared in front of his vision. He barely spared the notification a glance.
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NEW QUEST ACQUIRED
Obtaining The Monarch’s Disciple
As the Monarch’s Disciple, you must first prove to Holly Houston that you deserve to be served. Properly satisfy Holly Houston and attain a name calling by her first climax.
Reward: ×1 A-Rank Skill
Penalty: Temptation Level will drop to 10%.
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David’s eyes lingered on the reward for a second longer. An A-Rank Skill. The System didn’t hand those out casually.
Then his gaze shifted lower. Temptation Level dropping to ten percent. He thought about it for a moment before the corner of his lips curled upward.
A worthy challenge.
There wasn’t even a time limit. No countdown urging him forward. No punishment waiting if he didn’t act immediately. The System wasn’t asking him to rush. It was simply waiting.
The thought barely had time to settle before he felt another gentle tug on the front of his shirt.
Holly.
She was still holding onto him.
She hadn’t let go since they’d left the living room.
She simply smiled at him, a little shyly this time, before leading him the rest of the way into the bedroom.
The door hadn’t even finished swinging shut before she turned back to him.
Their eyes met. For a heartbeat... Neither of them moved. Then Holly closed the distance herself. Her lips found his once more. There wasn’t any hesitation this time. No uncertainty.
As though she’d already talked herself out of second-guessing whatever courage had brought her this far. Her hands slid to the hem of his shirt.
David felt her fingers bunch the fabric before slowly lifting it upward.
He raised his arms without a word, letting her pull it free before it landed somewhere behind him with a soft thud.
Her lips never left his for long.
Whenever they parted, it was only long enough to steal another breath before finding each other again.
David’s own hands drifted to the hem of her sweater.
Slowly.
Giving her every chance to stop him if she wanted.
She didn’t.
Instead, she stepped closer.
Almost impatiently.
He pulled the sweater over her head, revealing the fitted skirt she still wore and the lace bra beneath it.
For a brief second, he simply looked at her.
Not because he’d forgotten what came next.
Because it suddenly struck him just how beautiful she was.
A faint flush spread across Holly’s cheeks beneath his gaze.
Rather than hide from it...
She kissed him again.
One of her hands slipped lower, finding the buckle of his belt.
Her fingers worked carefully until it came loose before letting it fall carelessly to the floor.
David smiled into the kiss.
His own hands found the clasp at the back of her bra.
His fingers hesitated for only the briefest moment.
Then eased it free.
The tension disappeared from the straps as the garment loosened.
Holly leaned into him, closing whatever little space remained between them.
She let out the softest sound against his lips as one of David’s hands moved gently to her, while her own hand wandered across his chest, her fingertips tracing slowly over the firm lines beneath her palm.
Neither of them spoke. They didn’t need to. The silence between them had already learned how to say enough.
And then without warning, she pushed forward.