The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 2.17

Evan called Rosette’s name in a slightly hoarse voice from just waking up. Rosette answered with a trembling voice.

“…Yes.”

“Are you hurt?”

“…Huh?”

“Your body is warmer than usual.”

“I think it’s because I took a long bath in hot water.”

“…It doesn’t feel like that.”

Usually dull, yet sharp at times like this. Fearing discovery, Rosette slightly pulled away from Evan. Disliking that, Evan pulled Rosette back. The problem was that he pulled on the injured part of her neck.

“…Ugh.”

Rosette hunched her neck and let out a faint moan. She stopped immediately, realizing her mistake, but Evan wasn’t one to miss such things.

“You are hurt.”

Evan felt around Rosette’s neck, speaking in a lower voice than usual. Unfortunately, he touched only the painful areas, causing Rosette to involuntarily moan.

“Ah, it hurts. Evan.”

Evan sat up. He seemed about to turn on the light. Rosette embraced him from behind to stop him. Evan froze, holding the matchbox.

“Don’t turn on the light. I’m fine…”

After hesitating at Rosette’s words, Evan finally put down the matchbox. Instead, he lay back down and faced Rosette directly. Finding his gaze uncomfortable, Rosette averted her eyes.

“How did you get hurt?”

“I just fell. You know I fall easily.”

“How does one fall to get handprints on their neck?”

Evan asked in a completely subdued voice. Though she knew he spoke out of concern, his tone was chillingly cold. Rosette looked up in surprise. Evan’s eyes were glowing blue. Like wolves’ eyes shining at night. Feeling wronged, Rosette pulled the sheet to cover her neck. No, shouldn’t such abilities disappear when one becomes human?

“Tell me which bastard did this, Rosette.”

Evan spoke almost growling. This was the first time Evan had shown such aggression. Rosette shook her head in confusion.

“I don’t really know. I just bumped into someone while walking and got into an argument. Really.”

“What did they look like? Did you see?”

“He was tall and big… had a beard on his chin and blonde hair, but was balding.”

How could she forget? She was nearly strangled just for mentioning he was somewhat balding. She hadn’t even directly called him bald, which made Rosette feel somewhat wronged.

“But someone else rescued me right away. I’m really fine.”

Evan clicked his tongue softly, seeming displeased with that too.

“From now on, let’s try to go together.”

“Okay, I’ll do that. I’m sorry.”

Rosette deeply regretted leaving Evan behind as well. She nodded obediently. Evan didn’t say anything more after that.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“No, no. I’m fine.”

“Be honest.”

“Well, I fell on my bottom, so… my b******s and thighs…”

Rosette confessed honestly. Evan sighed while stroking Rosette’s short hair.

“Don’t be hurt, Rosette.”

“…Okay.”

She thought he was always foolishly grinning, but he could speak like this too. Rosette was surprised, while also feeling somewhat pathetic for her heart fluttering at such aspects. While lost in thought, Evan climbed on top of Rosette. Rosette’s eyes widened.

“…Evan?”

Rosette called Evan’s name in confusion. After all, this position… was something she had only seen in novels.

“What, what are you doing?”

“Stay still, Rosette. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Evan’s voice was gentle, yet somehow carried an undeniable force. While Rosette remained frozen, Evan slowly lowered his head. His hot tongue touched Rosette’s neck.

“…!”

Rosette flinched in surprise, her body trembling violently. In the process, her collarbone bumped against Evan’s chin. As Rosette groaned in pain, Evan spoke with exasperation.

“I told you to stay still. You’re giving me more places to lick.”

“But this isn’t a bleeding wound.”

“My saliva works on bruises, too. You know that, right?”

Of course, it was effective. However, since it wasn’t a direct wound, it required quite a long time of dedicated licking. Feeling Evan’s wet tongue on her neck, Rosette wanted to scream.

“Ugh… bitter.”

Evan frowned while licking Rosette’s neck. Rosette remembered applying plenty of medicine said to be good for bruises on her neck and b******s before leaving the bathroom. It had smelled bitter when applied, and must have tasted even worse for Evan who was directly tasting it. Rosette covered her neck and said.

“You don’t have to do this, Evan.”

“It’s fine. Why would you apply something like this when I’m here, Rosette?”

Evan began licking Rosette’s neck again. Despite the bitterness, he moved his tongue freely across her neck without hesitation. Rosette briefly wondered if it was safe for a dog to consume such medicine, then concluded it should be fine since he was no longer a dog.

“Ah, Evan…”

“Bear with the tickling for a moment.”

No, the tickling wasn’t the problem… Rosette twisted her body at the sensation of the tongue licking her neck. Though she gripped Evan quite firmly in the process, he didn’t complain of any pain. He simply continued diligently licking Rosette’s neck. Her pulse raced where his tongue touched, and tremors bloomed throughout her body.

“Mmm…”

“Just a little more…”

Though she knew this was part of the treatment, Rosette felt guilty for becoming excited whenever his breath and wet tongue touched her. There was no saliva smell at all. Instead, there was a fresh scent like newly cut grass. It smelled much better than the medicine she had applied earlier.

This is treatment, this is treatment. Rosette repeated to herself, squeezing her eyes shut. Evan thoroughly licked from her collarbone up to her chin with his wet tongue.

“Nngh…”

But the treatment is too sensual! Rosette felt like crying a little. Regardless of Rosette’s reactions, Evan diligently licked the bruised areas for quite some time. When the stinging pain on her neck began to fade, Evan pulled away.

“How does it feel now?”

Rosette carefully touched her own neck. Unlike earlier, when even slight pressure would make her moan involuntarily, now it didn’t hurt at all. Most of the muscle pain had disappeared,d too. Evan, you really are a cure-all. Rosette said joyfully.

“It doesn’t hurt at all now.”

“Really? That’s good.”

As Evan said this, he simultaneously grabbed Rosette’s waist. Rosette panicked and grabbed his wrist.

“What, what, what are you doing?”

To Rosette, who was stammering in shock, Evan replied nonchalantly.

“You said your b******s and thighs were hur,t too. Come here.”

“Absolutely not. Don’t even dream of it.”

“Why?”

“When I say no, it means no!”

Rosette pushed away Evan’s hand and backed away while sitting until she reached the opposite corner of the bed. Seeing Rosette sitting defensively, hugging pillows and sheets, Evan exhaled in disbelief.

“Bruises are essentially internal bleeding, Rosette. If not treated, they’ll hurt for a long time.”

“I don’t care. I’d rather die.”

Evan looked at Rosette with the expression of watching a tantrum-throwing child. Regardless, Rosette desperately guarded her b******s. After the squabble, Rosette eventually won. Only after extracting a promise from Evan not to touch her even after she fell asleep did Rosette lower her pillow.

“Come here, Rosette.”

While Rosette was getting ready for bed, Evan lay on his side and patted the space beside him.

“…Why?”

“Let’s sleep embracing. Even that will help you feel better.”

“Ah…”

She had forgotten. Rosette had been physically weak and often suffered from fevers since childhood, and each time, Evan had stayed by her side. Even when she had chills, her fever would subside earlier than usual when she hugged Evan. She had thought it was just psychological, but apparently it wasn’t. Rosette hesitated for a moment, looking at Evan with his arms open.

Only after boarding the ship had Rosette learned they would have to share a bed, and she had slept with a pillow between them. Even that arrangement had become somewhat blurred midway, but sleeping in a full embrace like this would be a first. This seems like… something lovers would do. Rosette swallowed dryly.

“Rosette?”

When Rosette showed no intention of coming, Evan called her again. Rosette squeezed her eyes shut and thought. This is just part of the treatment. Repeating that to herself, Rosette nestled into Evan’s arms. His ample embrace wrapped around her perfectly.

“Good night, Rosette.”

“…You too.”

Evan naturally kissed Rosette’s rounded forehead. After some time, steady breathing could be heard from Evan. He seemed to have fallen asleep already. Though Evan’s embrace was safe and warm, sleep wouldn’t come easily due to her tension. Feeling that she alone was restless, Rosette felt somewhat wronged. When Rosette fidgeted within his embrace, Evan, perhaps half-awakened, hugged her and patted her back. It feels like what one would do for a baby. Rosette grumbled inwardly while relaxing her neck. Thinking back, she was tired after everything that had happened today. Rosette gradually drifted off to sleep amid tension and excitement.

Volume 1 End