This is part 2 of Chapter 7. Part 3 is almost available on Patreon.
Previously, in Part 7.1: Ningshun turned back with a cocky smirk. "Next time, though, you're welcome to do more than just watch." With that, he turned and walked away.
Ningshun lounged on the couch with his tablet, watching online videos, until a knock at the door interrupted him. Meilin hurried to the entrance at the sound of another, more insistent knock and opened the door to a carrier holding a large package.
"Good morning, miss. I have a package for you."
The team leader could hear the conversation and a pen scratching across paper. Curiosity got the better of him, and he glanced toward the hallway, catching a glimpse of the carrier leaving.
"It's too heavy... What should I do?" she muttered.
His eyes softened, and he sighed, squaring his shoulders as he walked out of the living room. In the hallway, he found her standing beside a large box.
Looking up in surprise as he approached, she weakly protested, "No, it's fine. I can handle it."
Rolling his eyes, he stepped forward. "Yeah, right. Step aside, Meilin," he insisted, effortlessly lifting the box. "Where to?"
She bit her lip, her eyes darting between him and the box. "My room," she replied in a quiet voice, following him up the stairs. "You really didn't have to... but thanks, Ningshun."
Deep in thought, his eyes darted down, his lips slowly curving into a gentle smile as they reached her room. "Just doing my job," he murmured, glancing back at her. With a grunt, he carefully set the box down beside her bed. "Someone has to make sure you don't hurt yourself."
A warm smile graced her lips, and her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. Gratitude softened his expression as he appreciated her trust in allowing him to help.
Clearing his throat, he teased, "Can't have you slowing down the team."
Her smile faded as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Really? That's your concern?"
He chuckled and gave her a mock salute. "Hey, I'm just looking out for our star Jungler."
In return, she gave him a sarcastic smile. "You know, sometimes you can be such a pain."
"Comes with the territory," he winked, catching her by surprise. "But seriously, you owe me big time for this."
Raising an eyebrow, Meilin's voice held a hint of laughter. "Sounds like torture."
Soft chuckles escaped Ningshun until their gazes locked. Intensifying his expression, he lowered his voice to a deep murmur. "You know, owing me can have its perks. Very... enjoyable ones."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face as her breath caught in her throat, succumbing curiously to the tension between them. 'What does he mean by that?'
'Maybe I'll make her swear never to risk throwing her back out again.'
A sultry smile curved her lips as she leaned into him, closing the distance between them until their breaths mingled. Taken aback, he felt the heat rise as he caught her intoxicating scent, her eyes smoldering with intent.
'What's she up to?'
Her warm breath caressed his ear as she whispered, "Depends on... how generous you want me to be."
Suspecting her meaning, his eyes widened as he processed her words. Anticipation tingled through him, his breath hitching as she approached the door. 'Why is she locking it?'
A playful smile crept onto her lips as she straightened up and turned back to him. "Let's do it. Now."
Each beat of his heart thudded in his chest, straining to keep his voice steady. "What?"
Their nearness heightened the tension in the small space between them, her words adding, "I've been waiting for this since last night."
Ningshun's breath caught, heart racing, and his palms grew clammy. "M-Meilin?"
An animated sparkle lit up her eyes. "How about we stir things up and find a bit of trouble?"
Clearing his throat, he cautiously asked, "Oh yeah? What kind of trouble?"
As she leaned closer, her lips hovered near his cheek. "Disobeying the coach with what I have in mind for us right now," she murmured, sending a thrilling shiver down his spine.
Taken aback by her intensity, he swallowed hard. "Oh, really? Like what?"
"You know... that," she teased, nodding toward her bed.
With a quickening pulse, he followed her gaze. "You mean...?" he paused, uncertain how to finish his sentence.
A provocative smile curled her lips. "No one will ever find out if we keep it down... If you're up for a different kind of fun than gaming."
A dryness settled in his throat. "A different kind of fun?"
Nodding with her eyes fixed on his, warmth brushed against his skin as her breath touched him in a whisper. "Something more... personal."
With his heart hammering in his chest, Ningshun fought to maintain his composure. "I didn't know you had such a... wild side," he murmured with a forced smirk and heated stare. 'Is she serious? Why does she...' He recalled the fitness room, where he had teased her about doing more than just watching next time. 'No way... Did she actually take my joke seriously?'
"Having a wild side has its benefits, don't you think?" Meilin teased, stepping back slowly toward the bed, her gaze daring him to follow. "I promise it'll be worth the risk."
A beat skipped in his chest. "Tempting, but... that's not exactly how you owe me... not even close."
"But I've been wanting to do this with you even before you brought it up! I appreciate everything you've done, and—"
"Listen, you're my teammate. We shouldn't be—"
"Yeah, so? Wouldn't you at least want to take a peek before you decide?"
Caught off guard by her words, Ningshun widened his eyes, brows furrowing as a rush of heat ran through him. "Huh? You want me to... check them out...? Like, now?"
She nodded, a teasing glint in her eye. "Yes, and... maybe even give them a taste."
He coughed, choking on his reaction to her audacity. "Whoa, Meilin... you're coming on strong," he managed between coughs.
A wide grin stretched across her lips, revealing her amusement. "Oh, come on. I know you're curious."
Leaning against the doorframe, he forced a smirk, his fingers tapping with nervous chuckles. "You're not exactly subtle, are you?"
"Subtlety isn't really my style."
"I'm starting to see that," he mused in a deep, husky voice, avoiding her gaze.
Standing beside her bed, her voice dropped to a husky murmur. "So, Ningshun... Are you ready to be satisfied?"
Swallowing hard, he raised his eyebrows in surprise before quickly composing himself. "N-Now...?" his voice cracked, higher-pitched than usual. "I just remembered I need to... shower my cold TV—" At once, he squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw. 'Dammit... That was so cringe...'
Confusion furrowed her brows. "What? TV?"
Despite the flush on his cheeks, he stood tall. "Wash it with ice water! It's this new cleaning technique. Super urgent!" With that, he smoothly turned the key in her door and made a swift exit, leaving her bewildered.
Meilin blinked as she stood by her bed and sighed. "Wh-What's up with him? He didn't even take a look!" She scoffed, quietly retrieving a pair of scissors from the drawer and slitting open the large box Ningshun had positioned near her bed earlier. "Well, now I have to finish by myself... The coach wouldn't like this if he found out... Whatever, I don't care about that stupid diet." As she pulled out various small packages, her lips curled upwards. 'Chocolate! Cookies. Crisps... Spicy peanuts! All my favorite snacks!'
"Demon King's Love" is updated every Wednesday and Saturday. If you want to read more often than twice a week, I'll grant "early access" to my Patreon. I publish there as soon as new parts are written.
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