13.2 Sultriness - Cheong-ah
"Cheong-ah, you're here?"
Ian greeted her with a smile. It was the same gentle smile he always gave her, yet for some reason, it sent a chill down her spine. She'd assumed he'd be with Bella, so why was he alone? And with that inexplicable red dog, no less.
"Husband, you haven't gone to sleep?"
"Ah, well... I slept a bit, then woke up."
The moment their eyes met, a cold sweat prickled along her back. Goosebumps rose on her arms.
"What's wrong? You zoned out all of a sudden."
"N-no, it's nothing."
Was it the night air? Probably, yeah? She shook her head, trying to ignore the uneasy chill in her heart, and asked instead, "More importantly, what's that dog next to you? I've never seen a red one like that before... Where'd it come from?"
"Oh, this one? I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk and ran into it."
"Hmm... Is that so? That's pretty weird, out here."
"Yeah. It has a collar, so it must belong to someone... And get this."
As he spoke, Ian looked down at the red dog. His hand slowly stroked its head. The dog panted heavily, rubbing its head eagerly against his palm.
"Get what? What do you mean?"
"It's in heat. Seems like a female—she was whimpering alone in the woods. Looks like she lost her owner too, poor thing. Figured it'd be dangerous out there in that state, so I brought her back and we've been hanging out."
"A dog... in heat?"
"Yeah. It's kinda cute how she's all worked up and whining like that."
"Hmm, I dunno. It feels a bit creepy to me... And she's huge."
At Ian's words, Cheong-ah felt a twinge of displeasure and tilted her head. Her chest ached faintly, just like the jealousy she'd once felt toward Bella.
No way, jealousy? Over a dog?
She hadn't completely eradicated her jealousy. Sometimes, seeing him treat Bella kindly or hold her still stirred it up. But she'd been reflecting on her past actions, and the feeling was slowly fading—down to mere shards of glass now.
So why was that jealousy aimed at this dog...? Am I seriously jealous that my husband is being nice to a beast now? God, Ju Cheong-ah, you pathetic bitch. You've really hit rock bottom.
She berated herself inwardly, forcing a smile onto her stiffening face.
Ian raised one eyebrow at her words. "You think so? I think she's cute. She's big, sure, but look at how helpless she is."
"Kyauung...! Heh, huung...! Hooook...!"
"Hmm..."
Ian's hand, stroking the dog's head, slid lower. Over its nape, down its chest, rubbing its belly vigorously. Squelch-squelch.
"Awoong... Uht... Wooong... Eung."
She had no idea why petting a dog's belly produced such a familiar sound... but the red dog whined happily with every touch of his hand.
"See, Cheong-ah? She loves it when I pet her."
Then, in a burst of delight, it squirted out little spurts—pssh-pssh—losing control completely.
Ha, so that's what being in heat looks like...
Cheong-ah frowned. Her husband's tastes could be so odd sometimes. Still, if it made him happy, whatever. No point dwelling on it. Obsessing would just amplify this ridiculous jealousy toward a mere animal. Pathetic, really—jealous of a beast.
Deciding to ignore the red one-eyed bitch whimpering in heat, Cheong-ah changed the subject. "Anyway, Husband. Have you seen Bella?"
The red bitch flinched at her words. But Cheong-ah had already tuned her out and noticed nothing.
"Bella? Why?"
"Well... She was supposed to wake me for my watch shift. But it's been thirty minutes, and she never did... I come out here, and she's nowhere. Thought something might've happened."
"Uh... No idea?"
Ian shrugged innocently, his face the picture of brazen cluelessness.
No idea...? Cheong-ah tilted her head.
"She wasn't there when you woke up?"
"She was then. Just poking at the fire with a stick, staring blankly."
"...And then she vanished?"
"Yeah. What, you don't believe me?"
There were traces of someone who'd been by the fire until recently... Was Ian lying to her? But she dismissed the suspicion instantly. A wise wife couldn't possibly doubt her husband's word. Better to assume Bella had slacked off.
"No, if I can't trust you, who can I trust? Bella probably snuck off for a secret drink somewhere."
Convinced he truly didn't know, Cheong-ah nodded. "Then I'll head back—gotta take my watch..."
As she turned, Ian grabbed her wrist—tight.
"Eh? Husband?"
"Don't go, Cheong-ah. Stay here with me a bit longer."
"B-but, Husband, I have to do my shift..."
"It'll be fine. Sierra set up a barrier with magic earlier. And Dina's there."
"Still..."
Ian pulled the hesitant Cheong-ah into his arms. She tumbled softly into his broad chest. Warm. No—hot.
His low voice whispered in her ear. "I've been holding back for two weeks. It's building up. Because of you and Bella."
"...Hnn. That's... Husband."
"You two looked like you were having a blast in the carriage today."
"Sorry. But you were so cute, fidgeting like that."
Stammering, she tried to pull away. A faint alarm rang in her head. Danger. Something's off. This was her beloved husband, sure.
"Yeah? Well, you're looking real cute right now, Cheong-ah."
"Ah... Th-thank you."
"Not like that."
"Ah..."
But her instincts screamed that if she didn't escape now, she might not see tomorrow's sunrise. Normally, his embrace would thrill her... but her past mistakes amplified the unease.
"Could you let go just a little?"
"What, trying to run?"
"Run? Why would I run from you?"
"Hmm, no."
Ian had no intention of releasing her. He hugged tighter, gazing down. If she looked up, he'd claim her lips and more. As expected, Cheong-ah kept her head down, pressing her forehead firmly into his chest.
Oh, really? Ian chuckled inwardly at her cuteness. Fine, if you won't look up, I've got ways around that.
"Lift your head, Ju Cheong-ah."
"N-no."
She shook her head stubbornly, but his next words forced it up.
"Your husband is like the heavens, right? Can't even do this little thing I ask?"
"Eek. Th-that's cheating. Makes me sound like a bad wife."
"Then look up. I wanna see my pretty Cheong-ah's face."
"...Hnn."
His hand slid lower, stroking her back before cupping her plump ass, squeezing gently. Soft yet firm, like perfect dough in his large palm.
"H-husband..."
He kneaded her ass. The yielding flesh molded under his fingers—spread, squeeze, grind...
"Haak..."
Her body heated rapidly in his grip. It wasn't just Ian who'd pent up desire over two weeks in the carriage. Cheong-ah craved his touch too—her sensitized, lewd body ignited at the slightest pause.
"Hnn, hnnng..."
Even a light knead made her pussy twitch and drool nectar.
"Haa... Hot... Husband."
Her body aflame, she looked up with teary eyes. Smack. Their lips crashed together—no telling who started it. Tongues tangled fiercely as her arms looped his neck, his hands mauled her ass.
He eased her down to the ground while kissing, hiking up her skirts. Two thin knots at her hips undone—her soaked white panties clung to his fingers as they peeled away.
"You're drenched."
"...Embarrassing."
She blushed at her panties in his hand, bowing her head—only for his fingers to lift her chin for another kiss. Thick digits plunged into her skirt, probing her slick folds. Her swollen clit, pink untouched by pigmentation. Squelch-squelch.
"Hngh, haang... Ang..."
She stifled moans—then noticed the red dog staring enviously.
"...Hnn, haa..."
A mere beast, daring to...? Meeting its gaze twisted her lips into a smirk. Superiority. A twinge of self-loathing at comparing to a bitch, but whatever—felt good. She could indulge a little; it was just an animal.
Sneering, Cheong-ah reached up, yanking Ian's neck down tight.
"Haa... Husband."
Glancing sidelong at the envious one-eyed red bitch pawing the air and panting.
"Love your little wife lots."
She whispered, utterly delighted.