The door to the inn room closed softly, shutting out the dim light of the hallway and all the noise of the world outside.
In the darkness, only their clearly audible heartbeats remained, pounding like drums.
"I don't mind, but..."
Cui Ciyou pursed his lips, his voice breaking the silence of the room.
"Elves have very keen senses. I can tell someone next door is concentrating hard, getting ready to listen and laugh at us."
Roxy abruptly stiffened, her already burning cheeks turning scarlet.
She instinctively tried to step back, but Cui Ciyou gently yet firmly held her hand.
Roxy's hand was very small.
Was it because of her height?
It was smaller than Alice's or Sylphy's... a whole size smaller, probably.
Held in his palm, it felt delicate and endearing.
Her freshly bathed body gave off a faint, clean, captivating scent mingled with soapberry.
"I... I don't mind..."
Perhaps the warmth of Cui Ciyou's palm gave her courage. Though her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's hum, it carried a trace of reckless resolve.
"My body... isn't very attractive. Please... don't let it bother you..."
The insecurity and unease in those words sent a sudden stab of pain through Cui Ciyou's heart.
Cui Ciyou said nothing, merely tightening his grip on her little hand.
Summoning all her courage, Roxy took a step forward with her petite figure.
The distance between them dwindled to almost nothing.
"If you don't mind..."
Cui Ciyou felt her soft, trembling body pressed against his.
"...then as a man, I certainly don't mind either."
With the muffled thump of weight falling onto the bed and a stifled cry of surprise, every word in the room dissolved into the deepening night.
"And one more thing..."
Before the last of his reason was swallowed up, Cui