Cassian and Lucy enjoyed their short day off at the market, trying new things and shopping. Cassian hadn't planned on spending much, but by the end of it, he'd nearly gone through his entire monthly wage.
He ended up buying things he hadn't initially thought he needed, like perfume, soaps, boots, and a few other items Lucy convinced him were important. Along with the essentials, he also splurged on things purely for his own enjoyment—snacks like beef jerky and a bottle of herbal extract that, when mixed with water, tasted even better than his favorite fruit juice.
Lucy picked up a few things for herself as well, including some underwear. Cassian blushed furiously when she dragged him into the shop, where mannequins displayed the garments. Despite them being just lifeless statues, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed looking at them.
Lucy, of course, teased him even more, pointing out some particularly skimpy lingerie that barely covered anything—just enough to hide the essentials while leaving most of the skin exposed.
Cassian hadn't actually seen any women in just their undergarments, but the thought alone was enough to give him all the material he needed for his body to react. Thankfully, Lucy finished her shopping for her lingerie—the largest size the store had—just as evening began to set in.
It was time for them to head back to the castle, so they boarded a carriage that would take them to the gate in front of the inner castle.
The ride was going to take at least two hours, as they were near the outskirts of the city, just a few minutes away from city gates. Cassian started feeling a bit uncomfortable during the trip, as Lucy kept staring at him since they'd gotten into the carriage. She had removed her hat, making her entire face visible, and she wore a smirking expression as she continued to watch him.
Cassian tried to signal his discomfort by looking away and shifting his posture, but Lucy didn't avert her gaze. Eventually, it got to the point where he had to ask, "Is there something wrong?"
Lucy shook her head, still amused, and continued to stare at him, prompting him to follow up, "Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"You said you were going to take your chance with me in the carriage, so here I am, just waiting," Lucy teased with a smirk. " And just like you told me, I'm all prepared for that to happen."
Cassian chuckled, thinking she was just playing along like before. He had only been joking earlier, and assumed Lucy was doing the same now. Feeling a bit bored himself, he decided to entertain her. Shifting slightly closer, he said, "Well, that's no fun. I was planning to catch you by surprise."
Lucy slid closer as well, her flowery scent—mixed with the faint musk of sweat after their long day—drifting toward him. Cassian had grown used to the smell, but now, with the added smell of sweat, it felt more pleasant to take in. Her voice lowered as she replied, "You shouldn't have told me to be prepared, then."
Cassian struggled to respond to her teasing, especially with how close she was—just inches away, their thighs nearly touching. Despite his nerves, a boldness surged in him, and his hand instinctively found its way to her waist, gripping the opposite side as he slid closer. "Well, I don't need to surprise you anymore.
Seems like you're too eager for me to take my chance and will give..mmmmm," he said, but was stopped mid sentence.
Before he could process what was happening, his boldness had its effect. In an instant, he found himself squeezed between her soft hands, and her lips crashed into his, sealing him in a heated kiss. His eyes widened as she hungrily sucked on his lips, her hot breath mixing with his, while his hand on her waist trembled—this was the first time he'd ever been kissed.
He knew this was a kiss from what he had heard from Nahir, but experiencing it was so different from just knowing about it. He used to think kissing—swapping saliva—sounded gross. But now, as Lucy's lips moved against his, and he tasted the warmth of her, it wasn't disgusting at all. Instead, it was intoxicating. He found himself wanting more of it, craving the taste and the sensation.
Her lips tingled against his, leaving a lingering sweetness with every motion. She alternated between sucking on his lips, encouraging him to do the same, and soon, Cassian let go of his initial shock, following her lead. His hand, which had been resting on her waist, tightened around her curves, and his other hand followed suit, gripping her waist firmly.
He felt her body press against his, her breasts pushing lightly against his chest, though the layers of clothing between them muted the softness. But none of that mattered—Lucy kissed him with a hunger that made Cassian realize she truly did like younger partners, far more than he had ever imagined.
Lucy didn't let up. Her lips continued to devour his, moving with an urgency that made Cassian's heart race. The kiss stretched into minutes, and Cassian could feel his breath growing short, his chest rising and falling rapidly. But he didn't want it to stop. He gripped her waist tighter, pulling her closer to him until there was no space left between their bodies.
His fingers pressed against the soft skin beneath the rough fabric of her clothes, and the heat from her body seeped into him.
Lucy's breathing grew heavy too, each exhale brushing warmly against his face.
Cassian could feel her hunger, her need, as her tongue flicked out, teasing his lips. He hesitated for just a moment before instinctively parting his lips, allowing her tongue to slide inside, deepening the kiss.
It was like nothing he'd experienced before—her tongue moving with expertise, exploring him while coaxing him to respond. Cassian, breathless but eager, followed her rhythm, his own tongue hesitantly meeting hers. The kiss became more heated, their breaths mingling as Lucy guided him through this intense new sensation.
His mind was a blur, the only thing grounding him was the feeling of her body, her lips, her scent.