Italian Military Knife

Lai'en's azure eyes grew deeper, like a blue bay.

Song Zhi was so nervous she could barely breathe. What was he going to do?!

Um, this wasn't a good idea...

They were out in the wilderness...

And they were still on a mission...

Also, his thigh was so hard!

It was uncomfortable to sit on, and it hurt her butt! Song Zhi tried to adjust her position, but she couldn't move. Lai'en's hand gripped her firmly like an iron clamp.

"Sit still. Don't move!" Lai'en's voice was low and husky, cool and restrained.

This was the first time he and Song Zhi had touched so intimately since that night in Seji. He could even smell the faint scent of coconut oil on her.

Lai'en's breathing grew somewhat rapid. His eyes, full of restrained desire, remained fixed on Song Zhi's face, taking in all the nervousness and panic in her eyes before drifting lightly down to her red lips.

His Adam's apple bobbed. He quickly looked away and loosened his grip slightly, though he still had no intention of letting Song Zhi go. His fingertips brushed gently over her wrist, as if soothing her, or perhaps holding back some impulse.

Song Zhi's heart was pounding so hard it nearly burst from her chest, and his touch tickled her wrist.

The atmosphere was far too intimate, and Song Zhi's mouth went a little dry.

But Lai'en drew a sharp Italian multi-purpose military knife from behind his waist and carefully strapped it to the outside of Song Zhi's right thigh.

"It's from the Imperial Guard, forged from titanium alloy steel. It has many uses, and the blade is lightweight, making it well suited for a woman."

Song Zhi's eyes widened, and her brain short-circuited for a moment...

Oh! He was giving her a dagger!

She looked down at the coldly gleaming dagger, then back up at Lai'en, her face full of confusion and bewilderment.

"Is... is this a gift?" Her voice trembled slightly, whether from nervousness or some other indescribable emotion, she didn't know.

"A gift?"

Lai'en thought for a moment, then gave a soft chuckle. "It doesn't count as a gift. It's a military knife for you. You need to learn to use it to protect yourself."

His gaze settled on Song Zhi's face, and a trace of barely perceptible tenderness appeared in his azure eyes, something that hadn't been there before.

The air around them seemed to freeze. Song Zhi sat stiffly on Lai'en's thigh, her already racing heart seeming to skip a beat. She had never seen that expression on his face before; his deep, intent gaze seemed capable of melting a person.

"My military knife?"

Lai'en offered no further explanation. His callused hand slid down Song Zhi's wrist and took her hand, gently pressing her fingertips to the hilt. His voice was low but clear. "Remember, this isn't just a military knife. It represents your determination and courage, and it's also your most loyal companion. In a crisis, it can always save your life. You must keep it with you at all times."

Song Zhi's fingertips slowly traced the knife's hilt, and she could clearly feel the patterns carved into it.

She thought of Lai'en's Nepalese military knife, and how he had used it to cut a path through the undergrowth. She also thought of his expression whenever he silently and intently cleaned the knife in his spare time.

In the Seji Rainforest, he had even handed her that Nepalese military knife as a weapon for self-defense.

Hadn't he said to keep it with her at all times?

A military knife meant a great deal to a soldier. It represented loyalty and a promise never to betray.

She raised her eyes to Lai'en and asked, "Just like your Nepalese military knife, Lieutenant?"

"Mm, yes. He's my old companion."

He raised his hand as if to ruffle her hair, but stopped in midair and straightened her rumpled collar instead. The gesture was brief and natural, yet it instantly brought a blush to Song Zhi's cheeks.

Sure enough, cool, restrained men with that abstinent air were the most seductive, especially when they teased so subtly.

Song Zhi huffed inwardly. She had already prepared herself mentally, but he had held back...

Hah! Men!

A mischievous impulse came over Song Zhi. Her eyes curved as she smiled. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I really like it."

Then, as Lai'en's gaze gradually cooled again, she lightly pressed her lips to his. It was like a butterfly's wing brushing a flower's center, so light that she pulled away as soon as they touched.

The impulse that had been dying in Lai'en's eyes flared to life again, burning even more fiercely. In an instant, it turned into boundless desire, like a storm about to break.

"Little one, what you just did was dangerous..." Lai'en's voice was low and husky, with a heavy nasal tone.

Song Zhi had only just pulled away when Lai'en dragged her back. The warmth still lingered on her lips as he deepened the kiss, gently cupping the back of her neck. No longer holding himself back, he poured out all the tangled emotions trapped in his heart.

And what he was doing now was undoubtedly right. He desperately longed to touch Song Zhi, to embrace, kiss, and caress her, and even more... This wasn't a physical need, but a longing from his soul.

Song Zhi felt the world spin. With her back against the tree trunk, she sat on the rock where Lai'en had been sitting, unable to move.

Lai'en knelt on both knees, trapping Song Zhi firmly between his legs and the tree trunk as he bent his head to kiss her.

Song Zhi's heart pounded so hard it nearly burst from her chest. She could feel Lai'en's warm, rapid breaths against her cheek. His every movement was like a storm, and she was a wooden boat adrift at its center, ready to come apart at any moment.

She tried to turn her head away, but Lai'en's fingers held her chin gently yet firmly, turning her face back toward him. His callused fingertips lightly caressed her lips. His gaze was as deep as the night sky and as scorching as the sun, as though it would swallow her whole.

"Don't run away." Lai'en's voice was low and husky, like a record playing on an old phonograph, rasping seductively in her ears. He pulled back a little and stared into her eyes, as if checking her reaction.

Song Zhi simply stared at him, her mind blank, having lost even the most basic ability to think.

It seemed she'd taken things too far...

Her palms were slightly sweaty, and her fingers unconsciously gripped Lai'en's training uniform, as though grasping at a last lifeline.

Lai'en rested his forehead gently against hers. His breathing was still uneven, but there was a trace more restraint in his eyes.

"Tell me..." he said quietly, his voice slightly husky. "Is this what you want?"

She tilted her head back, both hands braced against Lai'en's chest. Her breathing was ragged and rapid, her eyes were moist, and she unconsciously licked the corner of her mouth.

"Lieu-"

Her body trembled slightly, and before she could finish, Lai'en's scorching kiss swallowed her words. The tip of his tongue pried open her tightly clenched teeth, and he forcefully stole even the last of the air from her mouth.

Lai'en held her shoulders firmly, giving her no chance to retreat, his cold, commanding presence enveloping her. Time seemed to stop at that moment, and every sound around them vanished, leaving only their mingled breaths.

By the end, Song Zhi dazedly realized that she was leaning over Lai'en's waist, and she could feel that his reaction seemed less than friendly.

Lai'en loosened his hold a little, but didn't pull away completely. His lips remained very close to hers, as though waiting for an answer.

Song Zhi had learned her lesson and begged to be spared.