The Damned Demon
chapter-685

Cecilia snapped out of her daze, her breath catching in her throat as the weight of what she'd just done sank in. She pulled back sharply, rising from her chair with a sudden, almost frantic movement. Her hand flew to her lips, her fingers trembling as if the very touch of them reminded her of the kiss—of the warmth she had felt but shouldn't have. Shame flushed across her face, her cheeks burning.

"I-I am sorry," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know what I was doing. Y-You should leave now." Her gaze darted away from him, her chest tightening with guilt.

But Asher, standing behind her with a calm, almost knowing look, leaned closer, his voice a low, seductive whisper. "How long are you going to lie to yourself, Cecilia? Doesn't it get tiring?" His arm began to snake around her slender waist, his fingers brushing the fabric of her dress. "You kissed me back. I know you want me."

Cecilia bit down hard on her lip, her mind reeling. He was right—she had kissed him back. It wasn't a drunken mistake or a lapse of judgment like last time. She had wanted it, even if just for a moment. But why? Why did she allow herself to get swept up in him? Her thoughts spiraled, but the instant she felt his arm tightening around her waist, her instincts kicked in.

She whirled around, her hand pushing against his chest, forcing Asher to stumble back. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and defiance. "You can push me away," Asher said, steadying himself, "but you can't push away your own feelings anymore."

"That... That's not true," Cecilia's voice wavered, but she fought to put on a determined expression, her willpower barely holding her together. "I was just... not in my right mind for a second."

Asher chuckled softly, the sound dark and filled with amusement. "Not even a child would believe that nonsense. But if you're so confident about your feelings, let me propose something." He stepped closer, his tone challenging, his gaze piercing through her defenses. "Kiss me one more time. Just for ten seconds. If you can kiss me without your heartbeat speeding up, I'll stay away from you. Forever. But if you fail... you'll owe me a wish."

Cecilia blinked, her mind spinning. "E-Excuse me?" she asked, her voice laced with bewilderment.

"I know it sounds a bit... unorthodox," Asher said, shrugging casually, his lips curling into that subtle smile that always seemed to unnerve her. "But it's the best way to test your feelings. I'll even give you as many tries as you need... though you'll have to accept all the wishes that come with it." His eyes gleamed with a mix of playfulness and challenge. "So, what do you say? Would you rather keep torturing yourself with this uncertainty or put an end to it right now? If you really don't want me, then what's the harm? It's just one kiss."

His smile deepened, making her heart race in her chest. A part of her knew he had a point—one kiss, just ten seconds, could resolve this entire mess. She could prove to herself that whatever she felt was a momentary lapse, nothing more. And yet, the thought of that kiss, of failing to control her heartbeat, made her anxious in a way she didn't understand.

She hesitated, glancing at him warily like a doubtful rabbit, "Would you really keep your word?" she asked, her voice soft but uncertain.

Asher's smile didn't falter. "We can use a Blood Contract if you want to make sure," he said, his tone casual but firm. "But I don't need one. I trust you're a woman of your word."

Guilt tugged at her chest for even doubting him. She shook her head quickly. "No. There's no need for that. I trust your word as well."

As a retired Hunter, Cecilia knew she had control over her body, her emotions—her heartbeat. It was part of her basic training. No matter what was swirling inside her, she should be able to keep her pulse steady. She could end this. She had to.

With a determined look, she finally met his gaze. "Okay... one kiss. No more than ten seconds," she said, her voice more confident than she felt. She couldn't believe she was agreeing to this, but it was the only way out of this twisted situation. She'd prove to herself that she had control—that she didn't want him.

Asher's smile widened ever so slightly, as if he knew something she didn't.

He stepped closer, the tension between them almost suffocating as his eyes locked onto hers. "Ten seconds. That's all it takes," he murmured.

Cecilia braced herself, her pulse already quickening despite her best efforts to calm it. One kiss. Just one, and this would all be over.

But as Asher leaned in, his warmth enveloping her, she couldn't shake the feeling that this kiss would be anything but simple. But this feeling only made her strengthen her will even more to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Just as Asher's lips neared hers, her heartbeat leveled, the rush of adrenaline turning into a cool resolve. She closed her eyes, blocking out everything but the steady thrum of her pulse, determined to win.

Asher, smirking at her display of self-control, wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close until her supple body pressed against his. The sudden heat between them made Cecilia's breath hitch, but she held firm, even as his lips claimed hers in a passionate, hungry kiss.

Blood rushed to her cheeks, her face warming under the intensity of his touch. The way he devoured her lips, his hunger evident, made her body stir. But she dug her heels in mentally, refusing to let her heart betray her. Her focus narrowed to keeping that steady beat as she gave everything to hold back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

But Asher wasn't one to back down. He wasted no time, his lips moving with skillful precision, exploring her softness, drawing out the warmth that made her pulse flutter. His touch was intimate, almost too much, as if he knew every weakness she tried to hide. Despite the sparks, she reminded herself—just a few more seconds, and she'll win.

Then, something shifted. Just as five seconds ticked by, Asher's fiery pace slowed. His kisses became softer, more tender, and with that change came an unexpected warmth that seeped deep into her chest. The intimacy took her by surprise—the depth of it. His lips lingered, not with lust but with a strange kind of care, stirring something inside her she hadn't prepared for.

Her heart, which had been under her firm control, began to rebel. She could feel it, the slow rise in tempo, syncing with his. Her breath hitched, her body reacting without her consent. Before she knew it, her heart surged, pounding hard against her ribcage like a caged bird.

Cecilia gasped, pulling back with a flushed face, her hand instinctively clutching her chest as if she could will her heart to stop its erratic beats. Her wide, anxious eyes locked onto his, disbelief clouding her gaze. "No…" she whispered, her voice strained.

Asher's smile was slow, victorious. "Only eight seconds passed, Cecilia," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But I won. Didn't I tell you? You can't push away your feelings."

Cecilia stiffly shook her head, her mind racing. How could she have lost control so easily? How shameful...

She, a former veteran Hunter, who had endured the worst and trained her mind and body to withstand anything? Her gaze darted away, her lips trembling. "I-I can't be that weak," she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. The shame of her failure, of letting her heart lead her astray, gnawed at her.

Asher stepped forward, gently taking her hand in his, his touch both grounding and disarming, "You're not weak," he said softly, his words sinking into her like a soothing balm, "The reason you couldn't control your heartbeat is because your heart never wanted to be controlled in the first place. You can't fight against your true desires, Cecilia. It's a losing battle. Always."

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty as she looked at him. He seemed wise, far wiser than his age should allow, and it unnerved her. How did he know so much? Who had taught him these things? And why did his words make so much sense, despite her reluctance to believe them?

She swallowed, feeling a weight in her chest that had nothing to do with the kiss. She didn't want to accept it, but there was truth in what he said. Her heart did want something, something she had been denying for too long.

Asher's grip on her hand tightened just slightly as he smiled that subtle, knowing smile. "But don't worry. As I said, I'll give you as many chances as you want. But first…" He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a playful, teasing tone. "It's your turn to accept one wish from me before we proceed."

Cecilia's breath caught, her chest tightening with anxiety. She had forgotten about the game's condition and never expected to lose. Even if her future self warned her, she wouldn't have believed it.

Her mind raced as she replayed his words from earlier, regretting how easily she had agreed to it.

"W-What wish?" she stammered, her voice filled with trepidation. She had no idea what he would ask for, and that uncertainty twisted in her gut.