Chapter 1
The library in Harthaven was spacious and silent. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the third-floor annex, one could see the magnolia tree standing proudly in the atrium. Sebastian Nightingale often sought refuge here when he felt down. The librarian recognized him and let him in without checking his library card, simply reminding him that there were thirty minutes left before closing. Sebastian felt increasingly anxious. At the end of the bookshelf, on the second shelf, there was a noticeable gap where the book he had just returned should have been. That book had been checked out by someone else. Sebastian stood on his tiptoes to peek through the gap in the shelves and was met with a pair of deep, dark eyes. They were like an inkstone, warm and quiet as he brushed past the words. There was an elegance about him, coupled with a scholarly aura that exuded calmness interlaced with the scent of books. Seraphina Greywood. He had been subtly watching this man throughout the winter. Today he wore a long coat that made him seem distant and cold, accentuating his mysterious presence. Sebastian’s cheeks flushed red, and he turned to leave, just as he usually did. But this time, he couldn’t. The book he had returned earlier was now in Seraphina Greywood’s hands. “Excuse me, could you give me that book?” he asked, his voice almost breaking. Sebastian felt on the verge of tears. He had rehearsed various ways to strike up a conversation, and now that he had to speak to him, he felt unprepared. “No.” Seraphina Greywood noticed the rosy hue of his cheeks and chuckled lightly, “Because it contains some... adult content.” He delicately flipped open the book and pulled out a yellowed bookmark featuring a cat. In a clear, resonant voice, he read aloud: “Sebastian Nightingale was aroused by kisses, her desire muddied, longing only for Seraphina Greywood to take her forcefully. Seraphina Greywood gripped her slender waist and thrust his heated, large member deep…” “Ahhh, please don’t read that!” Sebastian nearly fainted, barely managing to steady himself against the wall. Seraphina Greywood maintained his cool demeanor as Clara Moon interjected, “You look unwell. Do you have low blood sugar? Let’s grab a bite.” He closed the book decisively, adding, “Don’t you think it’s time we had a talk?” Caught red-handed and feeling as if the world were crashing down, Sebastian went pale. “I’ll treat you,” Seraphina Greywood said, pulling out a membership card and lightly tapping Sebastian's forehead to bring him back to the moment. “The dessert at that restaurant is fantastic.” A members-only restaurant. Sebastian had heard her sister boast about having gone there twice. … Sebastian found himself in the restaurant, still in a daze. In a private booth, after ordering, Seraphina Greywood took a sip of tea and asked, “When did you first notice me?” “It was just a note,” he added. “I’m sorry,” Sebastian mumbled, his head bowed low. “Three months ago, when you first came to the library and sat by the window reading ‘Gusu.’” The snow had fallen like a thick blanket during that winter, casting a gray haze over the sky. He brushed past her, his presence mixed with the faint, sweet scent of ink, sharp against the winter’s chill. When he reached for a book, the ring on his ring finger flashed in front of her eyes. More captivating than his platinum band was the way he immersed himself in reading. When he looked up, for the first time in days, the clouds parted, and sunlight poured in. A beam illuminated his face, a breathtaking sight, as if he had stepped out of a tome, untouched by the world. “I secretly checked your borrowing records. I found out your name, age, and address,” Sebastian confessed, her voice softening. “I guessed you were a professor at the nearby college, teaching Mandarin.” His borrowing history was mainly scholarly texts. When he took out his library card, Sebastian had sneakily caught sight of the Aeroth University faculty card in his wallet. “Single.” A month prior, he had borrowed a book titled ‘180 Ways to Confess Your Love.’ The moment she finished speaking, Sebastian felt her ears burning crimson.
Chapter 2
She nervously took a bite of the fruit tart, wishing it would choke her. But Cedric Greywood wasn’t angry. He was like a master teacher, always patient and kind, gently guiding her along, “What about this note?” “Yes, I wrote it while reading.” The third-floor side library only allowed Professor Winslow in. “The book by Shimu is truly moving. I just got to chapter thirteen of ‘Gusu’, where Feng Mu and Mo Chen were separated in their youth. He saw a photograph of Mo Chen waiting under that tree, and despite the war and destruction, he rushed back to find her.” When it came to her favorite author, Eleanor Nightingale was no longer the shy child in the eyes of the adults. “I saw them about to go to bed, doing... um, something romantic," Eleanor Nightingale closed her eyes, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have thought about you like that. I’ll make sure to—” Suddenly, her lips were pressed against his. Cedric Greywood’s fingers brushed against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. He wiped the frosting from the corner of her mouth, his voice becoming clearer, “Did you see what happened next?” “I only saw them kiss. It said ‘he licked her lips softly and gently slid into her mouth’.” Eleanor Nightingale swore she hadn’t read anything inappropriate. “What a shame.” No wonder she could only write such dry imaginings. Her confused lips were pressed again. Cedric Greywood’s lips felt warmer and softer than she had imagined. His breath brushed against her skin, mixing with hers. As he nibbled softly, a brief sting made her part her lips, and his tongue slipped in. He tasted every corner of her mouth, even grazing her throat. Eleanor Nightingale couldn't help but let out a quiet hum, her tongue caught in his. In a daze, she didn’t know how to respond, letting him explore every inch, overwhelmed by the sensation. When they separated, a silvery thread lingered at the corner of her mouth, which Cedric Greywood wiped away. Yet, the more he wiped, the more lost she felt. “Is that all?” Cedric Greywood returned to his seat, pinching her cheek gently, “You only saw them kiss?” “Uh, well…” Eleanor Nightingale was still immersed in the sweetness of her first kiss. “You should keep reading.” Cedric Greywood caressed her now rosy-lipped mouth, and his eyes deepened with intrigue, “Eleanor, you’ll see him say ‘I love you’.”
Chapter 3
The three words "I love you," spoken by Seraphina Greywood, struck Sebastian Nightingale far more powerfully than the tolling of a church bell. Sebastian gasped, paralyzed for a moment, before hurriedly stepping away from his Brother to grab a book from the table. It was perfect. In the story, after the lovers have weathered their trials, their reunion is sealed with this promise. What a beautiful thought. Sebastian mused as he imagined the reunion of parting lovers, lost but found again, happy endings for those in love. It felt unreal, making his eyes a bit misty. “You really like this author,” his Brother remarked, lightly brushing the tears from the corners of his eyes. Little Grace's round, innocent eyes sparkled like treasures, yet they held a distant, foggy sheen. Wet from her fingers, Seraphina was careful as she wiped away the tears, wanting to treat her gently. “Yes. I really do.” Seraphina seemed to transform into a skilled pianist, her slender fingers brushing delicately across Sebastian's cheek, sending his heart racing like a crescendo, erratically bumping in his chest. “So, do you like me more, or that author?” The emphasis hung in the air, weighty and undeniable. Sebastian blinked open his eyes to find Seraphina's teasing smile so close, his mind went blank. “I... I...” he stuttered, momentarily at a loss for words. With a playful yet daring move, Seraphina slipped her finger into his mouth, teasingly pressing it against his tongue. Her dark eyes slowly grew distant with sentiment. “It’s hard.” Not that it was challenging to choose, but expressing it felt daunting. Sebastian couldn’t help but suck on her finger, swirling his tongue lightly around it. “You little rascal.” Seraphina’s gloomy expression lifted like a cloud dispersing under the sun. He pulled back, wiping his finger on the tablecloth, assuming a polished and polite demeanor, still using his warm, deep voice. “So, what’s it going to be? Staring at me or eating?” …… As Sebastian left the restaurant, he felt utterly deflated. His secret crush had been revealed, yet he still lacked the courage to confess. After barely picking at his meal, he excused himself to head home. He tore up the receipt and tossed it in a nearby trash bin. Just a few steps away, a rain drop landed on his cheek. Harthaven was different from Grandma Elspeth's house. The rains of the Southmere Riverlands were persistent, almost like a curtain that separated people. Sebastian hadn’t brought an umbrella. He turned and went back into the restaurant. He already had bought several umbrellas for home, and getting another would be just throwing good money away. He could wait out the rain for a couple of hours, anyway. It couldn’t be longer than the duration of his middle school graduation ceremony. So he stood quietly, waiting until the streetlamps flickered on, only for the rain to intensify. When he was unhappy, it seemed like everything conspired against him. The wind shifted, drenching him. His clothes clung to him, and he cursed himself for not buying that umbrella earlier. At worst, he would just deal with a few days of nagging. No big deal. Or, if he could muster some courage and be a little bolder, maybe he could have agreed to let Seraphina drive him home. “Are you not going home yet?” A firm hand grasped his wrist, pulling him toward the sheltered area. The force was too strong to resist, and Sebastian found himself stumbling directly into Seraphina's arms, hearing her say, “I’ll take you home.” …… The underground parking lot was even colder. As Sebastian got into the car, he couldn’t help but sneeze. “Sorry,” he apologized, covering his nose, his voice slightly raspy, almost as if a cold was starting to take hold. “Did I mess up your car?” The unique logo was something he had seen in the luxury magazines his sister adored. The kind of car that made her gasp in awe. “No need to be so tense.” Seraphina turned to help him with the seat belt. The damp fabric clung to him, and with the seatbelt pressing against him, his chest felt constricted, even curvier and cuter. Seraphina quickly moved her hand away to avoid startling him.
Chapter 4
Sebastian Nightingale found himself captivated, a warmth enveloping him as Brother Gabriel held him close. There was an intoxicating thrill that danced across his chest, a sensation both familiar and electrifying. When he sensed his brother's departure, a sudden pang of loss shot through him. Without a second thought, he gripped Gabriel's arm tightly. "About that question earlier... Can I still answer it?" His voice trembled slightly, a blush creeping into his cheeks. “I-I prefer…” His words faltered, leaving the air thick with tension. Their lips met in a swift kiss, a tender collision that silenced all hesitations. "It's too late." Seraphina Greywood leaned into Sebastian, her body pressing against him, her breath warm against his ear. Her fingers trailed along the neckline of his shirt, and her voice dropped to a sultry whisper. The moment was intoxicating, the intimacy palpable as Sebastian's heart raced. His hand found its way around her waist, while he marveled at the softness of her curves, a delicate figure that fit perfectly in his grasp. Gently squeezing, he watched with eager eyes as warmth radiated out from where he held her, her body responding eagerly. "Do you like it when I touch you?" he asked, his voice low. "Yeah... it tickles..." she responded, her breath hitching as the air thickened with their shared warmth. The heady mix of their scents seemed to push the chill of the outside world away, rekindling an undeniable heat between them. Sebastian couldn’t help but feel bolder now. “I like it. It feels so good.” “Just like they say in the books,” Seraphina replied with a soft laugh, flashing a bright smile that ignited a spark in his chest. He could scarcely wrap his mind around the intensity of it all. Every sensation felt magnified, her body responding under his hands, the warmth of her breath mingling with his own. It was raw, real, and far removed from any mere words on a page. “No…,” Sebastian gritted out, holding back a moan. “This is just me… I thought of this myself.” She released him, and in that moment, the sound of her lips parting from his skin sent a thrill down his spine, leaving behind a lingering warmth where their bodies had touched. "Honest Little Grace," she teased, her tone sultry and beckoning. “Do you want a reward?” Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise as he brushed against him, feeling the heat radiating from him, a manifestation of longing he had never allowed himself to think about before. In that instant, every ounce of his previous decorum melted away, and he couldn’t hide the truth any longer. “I want it.” His innocent façade shattered under the weight of desire, and he found himself leaning closer, his gaze clouded with longing. “I want you inside me.” The words hung in the air between them, altering the landscape of their connection forever.
Chapter 5
"Don't rush." Seraphina Greywood's breath tickled Eleanor Nightingale's face, making it hard to tell if the heat on her cheeks was from embarrassment or from somewhere deeper. Guided by Seraphina, Eleanor awkwardly removed her pants, her mind going blank as Seraphina's large, erect cock sprang out. Instinctively, Eleanor grasped it with one hand, only to realize she needed both to encompass its girth. "It's so big..." The thick shaft was almost too hot to touch, but she couldn't bring herself to let go. It was even warmer and larger than she had imagined. Stealing a glance downwards, Eleanor noticed that Seraphina's penis wasn't ugly at all, just intimidating in size, with a glisten of pre-cum at the tip. In the confined space, Seraphina's masculine scent was overwhelming. "Do you like it?" Seraphina asked, kissing Eleanor's forehead. "Do you want me?" "I..." Eleanor stuttered, unable to articulate her thoughts. She couldn't possibly let go of Seraphina, even if she wanted to. "I’ll guide you." Seraphina took hold of Eleanor's hands, wrapping them around her shaft. The sensation of the soft, tender grip moving up and down was barely pleasurable at first. Seraphina didn't use much force, but Eleanor's breathing grew heavier with each slow stroke, her body responding to the subtle movement. Seraphina wanted to hear her moans, imagining they'd sound even sweeter and softer. "Rub below." Eleanor obediently cupped Seraphina's heavy balls, gently massaging them. She could see Seraphina's Adam’s apple bobbing up and down, the throaty groan escaping her lips was almost erotic. Her eyes wandered to Seraphina's tightly buttoned shirt, a glimpse of collarbone peeking out. Eleanor wanted to touch and see more. "Focus," Seraphina commanded, her dark eyes heavy with lust. "Make me come." "Mmm..." As Eleanor kept stroking, the penis in her hands grew thicker and harder, pre-cum making it slippery. Her mouth dry and fingers aching, she kept up with the rhythm. "Please, come already," she whimpered. Suddenly, Seraphina captured her lips in a heated kiss. Thick, white cum splattered across Eleanor's chest and lower abdomen. Using her fingers, Seraphina wiped a drop off Eleanor’s nipple and asked, "Satisfied?" Eleanor shook her head, guiding Seraphina's hand south, beneath her skirt. She was soaking wet. Through her fingers, Seraphina could feel the plump shape of Eleanor's sex, her folds trembling. "I... I want more..." "No." Through the thin fabric of her panties, Seraphina pressed a thumb against Eleanor's clit, rubbing gently. Just a few strokes had Eleanor's body melting in pleasure, moans spilling from her lips. The feeling of someone she only dared dream of touching her there left Eleanor's mind blank with near-fantastic delight. She bit her lip, her climax making her cry out softly beneath Seraphina's touch. But Seraphina didn't continue. "You're still young." Seraphina’s eyes were serious as she wiped her fingers clean with a tissue. "You can't do this yet." "I'm old enough," Eleanor protested. "Liar." Seraphina pressed a finger against her lips calmly, "You’re only eighteen, aren't you?" ... Exposed, Eleanor nearly fled in panic. Once she reached the bus station near her house, she stubbornly got off, running back home through the rain. "Dry off before you come inside," her mother scolded as she opened the door, forcing Eleanor to retreat. Back inside, she found the table cleared of dinner. "I'm going to my room," she muttered. Her brother, Sebastian, looked up from his video game, smirking at Eleanor’s drenched figure. "Saw this news about a kid dying in a storm, hiding under a bridge. Stupid, right? Eleanor, wasn't it dumb?" "Dumb."
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