Lady Class - Chapter 16

“…It’s a good thing I had hot water prepared. Go wash up.”

Butler Brand immediately pointed to the bathroom as soon as he saw the two of them covered in mud. He blocked the entrance, making sure they couldn’t take even a single step inside the house.

“Brand, the lady caught two will-eye fish, but she ended up losing them both.”

“Yes, yes. Fishing isn’t easy, is it? Now, please head straight to the bathroom. Do not go anywhere else.”

The butler smiled but clearly didn’t believe a word Kahn was saying.

Since hot water had to be transported, the bathroom and kitchen had exterior doors that connected to the outside.

Understanding the butler’s position, Rackley chose to go around the building and enter through the bathroom’s external door.

Kahn followed.

All the way inside.

Rackley, startled, pointed firmly to the door just as the butler had.

“Get out.”

“This is the only bathroom here.”

“There’s one in the annex.”

Due to the clear difference in their statuses, as a gigolo, he was supposed to use the servants’ quarters. But instead of backing off, Kahn stepped even closer, his voice dipping into a subtle, enticing whisper.

“We already know each other’s bodies well. We can share a bathroom, can’t we?”

“No. Absolutely not!”

Rackley was adamant.

By now, she should have been the one seducing him, but she still wasn’t acting the way he expected.

Kahn licked his dry lips.

“You’ve already seen everything. Why are you acting so shy? You wanted me badly when you touched me.”

“T-That… I don’t know what came over me! I’ve never done anything like that before… Something was wrong with my body that night.”

“For two nights in a row?”

Rackley’s face ignited in flames.

“A-Anyway, you’ll wash in the annex!”

Kahn leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed downward at her. His shadow enveloped her small frame.

“Did you forget who I am?”

“O-Obey your employer’s orders!”

“Unfortunately, you’re not my employer.”

He was close enough for her to feel his breath. Rackley’s long lashes trembled violently as she swallowed dryly.

No matter how much she tried to ignore it, her eyes kept focusing on his broad chest. The faint scent of his cologne drifted toward her, mixing with the natural musk of his skin. That scent always deepened when he was excited.

She wasn’t immune to desire.

And yet, despite his taunting words and smoldering gaze, she was doing her best to resist him.

His fingertips brushed down her cheek, tracing lightly over her soft lips. She inhaled sharply, her eyes fluttering shut as a heated breath escaped her.

“You’re covered in mud,” he murmured, pressing gently against her lips. “You won’t be able to undress by yourself… Let me help.”

She wanted to follow his lead.

Because here, this place was different.

No one knew her here. She could do whatever she wanted. They had already spent two heated nights together—so there was no reason to hold back.

And yet, her reason refused to yield.

“Not now… After I wash…”

As soon as Rackley relented, Kahn didn’t push further. But, reluctant to part completely, he pressed his fingertip lightly against her lips before letting go.

“…Turn around. I’ll only undo the dress ties.”

His deep, low voice carried an unspoken command.

He nudged her toward the shelf in front of the mirror. As she placed her hands on the surface for support, his fingers traced the subtle curve of her back before coming to rest on her lower abdomen, tugging at the ribbon securing her outer dress.

The thin fabric, heavy with mud, slid down her arms and pooled at her feet.

Rackley took a shallow breath.

Behind her, Kahn carefully loosened the corset around her waist. It hadn’t been tied as tightly as it would have been for a formal banquet, so she could have removed it herself.

And yet, his fingers lingered, tracing delicately along the line of her back.

Neither of them spoke.

The air was thick with tension.

As if one small spark would ignite an uncontrollable flame. As if they were standing before an explosive, both aware of what they wanted—yet neither willing to make the first move.

Finally, the last string came undone. The corset slackened, allowing her chest—once bound tight—to rise freely, like a feather duvet puffing into shape.

“Hnng…”

Rackley hastily pressed the corset against her chest, curling her shoulders inward to keep herself covered.

She could feel his gaze.

His eyes traced her exposed shoulders, lingering on the hands shielding her breasts.

The warm breath scattering across the crown of her head told her that Kahn, too, was aware of her—of them.

There was a man behind her, filled with desire, yearning for her body.

Just that realization alone made her feel full—satisfied in a way she had never experienced before.

“I’ll wait until your bath is over.”

His fingertips brushed over her shoulder, as light as a kiss, before retreating.

Her body, already familiar with the pleasure he could give, trembled in anticipation.

Only after hearing the door close behind her did Rackley finally release the breath she had been holding.

If he had lingered just a little longer, she might have been the one to reach for him first.

A sigh escaped her lips—whether out of regret or relief, she wasn’t sure.

 

***

 

The evening menu featured walleye steak, caught by Brand the day before.

Rackley absentmindedly poked at her food a few times before stealing a glance at Kahn across the table. Her teeth caught her lower lip.

If she lifted her gaze, she would see the exposed part of his chest beneath his loosely buttoned shirt. The deep valley between his firm muscles cast dark shadows, tempting her eyes to linger.

Leaning casually against the table with one elbow, Kahn took a leisurely bite of the walleye steak, appearing completely at ease.

“Hnn…”

Rackley barely managed to stifle a sound, covering her mouth just in time.

Noticing her flushed face, the butler, Brand, spoke up.

“Are you all right, my lady? Did you get a bone?”

“N-No, it’s delicious,” she quickly replied.

Her glare shot across the table toward Kahn.

Beneath the table, his foot had slipped past the hem of her dress.

Even as she struggled to maintain her composure, he nudged her ankle with his toes, then slowly slid them up along her calf.

She tried to pull away, but Kahn was relentless, pressing further, tracing patterns against her skin.

It wasn’t a particularly delicate touch—but the secrecy, the forbidden intimacy of it while others were present, made her breath hitch.

“Kahn,” she hissed. “We’re eating.”

“So am I,” he murmured. “Want me to feed you?”

“Just focus on your meal.”

The butler was still in the room.

Rackley sent him a warning look, hoping to remind him of the propriety they were supposed to maintain.

Brand surely knew what was happening between them, but she refused to let things become so openly improper.

“Oh, I’m enjoying myself plenty,” Kahn said, his smirk deepening. “Just whetting my appetite before the main course.”

“You—!”

As she trembled, face burning, he licked the oil from his lips.

“Brand,” Kahn said smoothly, “you can retire for the night. The lady and I have some things to discuss.”

“Yes, sir.”

With years of experience, the butler wisely feigned ignorance.

Before the door had even fully shut, Kahn was already rising from his seat.

The moment they were alone, he planted a hand on the table and leaned down over her.

His gaze was dark, hungry.

Kahn made no effort to conceal his desire.

“I’m ready,” he said, voice low and rich with intent. “How much longer are you going to make me wait, my lady?”

 

***

 

Rackley still wasn’t sure if this was the right choice.

For two consecutive nights, she had succumbed to desire and slept with him. She knew she shouldn’t have, yet she hadn’t even been drunk—just utterly powerless to resist.

Click.

The soft sound of the door closing made her swallow dryly as she turned around.

Kahn had followed her into the bedroom.

He shut the door behind him.

His sharp, dangerously sensual eyes locked onto her, making her heart pound uncontrollably.

All day, she had stalled for time, pretending not to notice his signals under the excuse of wanting to “find something she liked.”

Yet he had been patient.

He had watched her make desserts, casually handing her ingredients when she needed them. When flour threatened to dust her hair, he had wordlessly tied it back for her.

He hadn’t been bored—not once.

He had led the way through the thick grass to the lakeshore, had baited the hook when she shrank back in disgust.

And when the first fish bit and she had frozen in panic, he had come up behind her, wrapped his arms around her, and guided her hands on the rod.

In that moment, it had felt as if lightning had struck her.

He was the most sensual man she had ever met.

She had followed his blatant seduction with timid hesitation, but her heart had been racing wildly the entire time.

If only the same feverish lust as the previous nights would take hold of her now.

If only reason would abandon her completely—if only instinct would take over, devouring her in raw greed, then maybe she wouldn’t feel this crippling embarrassment.

She was already wet, but a sliver of reason still held her desires at bay.

Her emotions lay bare on her face as she cast her gaze downward in confusion.

Kahn stepped closer.

His deep, smoldering gaze lingered on her lowered eyes and parted lips.

When he spoke, his voice was lower than it had been at the dining table—velvet and dark, like the whisper of temptation itself.

“We’re alone now.”

“…I know.”

Rackley felt breathless.

He hadn’t even touched her yet.

He was simply standing close enough that if she reached out, her fingers would graze him.

Were all men like this?

Unashamed. Honest in their desire. And yet, never once treating her carelessly.

He had always been a gentleman.

“What are you hesitating for?” he murmured. “I’ll do anything you ask. Right now, I’m your slave.”

Was there anything hotter than that?

Her chest rose and fell shakily.

“Tell me what you want.”

His honeyed words melted her brain.

Like the whisper of a devil, coaxing her into sin.

“I…”

His voice seeped into her like an anesthetic, dulling her reason and paralyzing her thoughts.

Like honey filling her mouth, it left no room for anything else—no hesitation, no logic, no escape.

He had called himself her slave, but in truth, it was Rackley who was being dominated.

“I’m embarrassed. I’m afraid,” she admitted.

“I’ve already seen everything. What is there to be embarrassed about? Or… are you afraid I’ll hurt you?”

“Kahn.”

She shook her head, panting, her gaze locking onto his without realizing that she wore an expression of pleading.

The words she had been struggling with finally surfaced.

“I’ve worked so hard my whole life,” she whispered. “I tried not to make mistakes, to be recognized… to prove that even I am capable.”

“And? Do you think I’ll be a problem for you? Are you afraid I’ll use this against you? Blackmail you?”

His voice remained steady, but there was an unmistakable chill beneath it.

She quickly shook her head again.

“No. I never thought that. I never doubted you.”

She never saw this situation as his fault.

Kahn had kept his promises. He had always stopped when she asked. Whatever choice she made, he would follow.

This moment—this temptation—was something she had allowed.

“I’m afraid…” Her voice trembled. “I’m afraid of changing. Afraid of becoming someone else.”

“Is that such a bad thing?”

Her eyes widened at his question—one she had never considered before.