Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 173: Precious

A happiness so intense it almost felt unnatural rushed through Liam. Yet, everything from his instincts to his now-free, light chest told the very opposite story.

Nothing could be more natural than what had just happened. That was right down to the very core of Liam’s being. It was as if humans were made for that. It was as if everything down to his cells knew that life was exactly about that.

However, with fulfillment came clarity, and with it the realization of everything Liam had done while caught in the moment. Thoughts he had failed to concoct came crashing down, polluting the beauty and joy of the event with pure panic.

The kiss barely met that definition. It had been nothing more than a peck without much pressure, not even enough to give Liam an idea of how soft Melissa’s lips were.

Yet, now that reason had returned, Liam found his gesture unforgivable, snapping back and spreading his arms, gasping and letting go of Melissa despite her hand still being on his face.

And then, the worst realization of them all arrived, bringing profound guilt and shame. Despite that selfish, probably unauthorized gesture, Liam still wanted more.

’What have I done?!’ Liam panicked. ’How could I have done that to Melissa?!’

Still, before Liam’s panic could degenerate into a full-blown self-inflicted punishment, a second hand went to his face, and everything fell silent in his mind.

Melissa understood everything. Liam was too expressive to hide it, and she knew him well enough to translate that into actual meanings.

Liam was a true newbie. He wasn’t just inexperienced. He had never used that part of his emotional spectrum. And, like most new things, they were sensitive, always responding with extreme reactions.

It was as if Liam’s nerves were exposed. The slightest interaction would feel like the most intense sensation and send everything into overdrive.

The only way to solve the issue was to expose Liam to more of that intensity so that he could grow accustomed to it. He had to build channels to funnel it, learning how and what to do with it, no different than skin developing calluses to protect itself.

That was how maturing worked.

So, Melissa knew that it was her moment to reassure Liam, to tell him that what he had done was right. She also had to make sure he understood all that was correct because he had done it with her.

However, that perfect, manipulative strategy failed at the last step. After all, Melissa was also a newbie. She might have known about that stuff due to her mother and how men looked at her, but that remained her first kiss.

Besides, enough was enough. Melissa had wanted far more even before Liam, and they had finally crossed that line.

Instead of the planned, manipulative words, Melissa found herself leaning forward, lifting herself on her knees, sliding her hands behind Liam’s neck so that she could wrap her arms around him.

Before Liam knew it, he learned how soft Melissa’s lips were. After all, she had pressed her mouth on his, burning that sensation in his brain.

There existed levels of confusion so profound that they brought clarity. The experience was so overwhelming that Liam stopped thinking altogether, losing himself in the moment.

And, as it turned out, that was the correct response. Thoughts were heavy, slow, and clumsy, and had no place in those moments. Only emotions did.

At that point, Melissa was out of her depth, too. She knew what kisses were, but had no idea what she was doing. She merely pressed her lips on Liam’s, not really aware of her next step, even failing to think about that.

Luckily, Liam came to Melissa’s aid, curiosity and desire driving his hands to her back, holding her close and steady, fusing into instinctive actions.

Liam pressed his lips back before straying away from mere imitation. He felt the urge to see Melissa’s face, so he retracted his head, and bright light filled his vision.

Of course, nothing was shining. The cave was actually dim. Yet, Melissa’s dazed face glowed in Liam’s perception, seemingly too beautiful to be real.

And Liam felt ready to stare at that picture all his life, until Melissa wore a timid smile that made her even more beautiful, so much so that he could only dive back into her.

Another kiss unfolded, this time lacking the previous stillness. Liam actively sought something, and Melissa did, too. They explored, learning, both the action and themselves, testing what felt good or they liked.

For all the manipulation, boldness, and possessiveness, Melissa liked it far more when Liam took the lead, when his actions clearly declared how much he desired her.

Those instances were strangely satisfying. Melissa felt as if she was fulfilling a fundamental duty that had existed for eons, a natural role her brain was wired to enjoy.

That discovery rekindled the careless abandonment Melissa had already desired, finally giving her the chance to employ it.

As for Liam, it turned out he was quite the perfect match. For all his cluelessness, he was proactive once he stopped getting in his way. It had been the same with the random kiss after Melissa’s authorization, and it was even truer now.

Most importantly, Liam was incredibly greedy, that trait applying to both magical items and Melissa.

One kiss led to two. They then brought one of Liam’s hands to that desired, graceful neck. Lips alone stopped being enough at some point, and tongues were called to help.

Liam even tried to pull Melissa closer, only for that to be structurally challenging. She was already on her knees, leaning toward him. Anything more, and she would fall, so Liam decided to go to her instead.

Liam’s greed fueled a push, and Melissa’s abandonment played into it. Before either of them could realize it, her back touched the floor. Actually, he laid her there, making sure to protect the back of her head.

And Liam didn’t lie on Melissa, instead staring at her stunning picture, both astonished by the sight and immersed in a reassuring realization.

It turned out Liam never had to fear his all-devouring urge. Now that Melissa was down, still clinging to his neck, willingly defenseless, seemingly ready for the taking, he understood the truth.

Liam would never hurt Melissa. He had managed to prioritize her despite the wild, thoughtless, and primal act. He was now sure he would treasure her as the most precious aspect of the world.

Chances were, at least for Liam, Melissa was exactly that.