Chapter 119 Surprise [R18]
As the transport ship drifted through the silent void toward the main vessel, Rex leaned back in his seat, a content smile plastered across his face.
While everyone else was either brooding, fidgeting, or reviewing the events at the trading station, Rex's mind was already miles ahead. He was calculating, scheming, and preparing for the next move in his ever-expanding plan.
This next step wouldn't be easy. It would require a delicate balance of strategy, charisma, and boldness, something only a figure of legend could pull off.
But Rex? Rex didn't fear challenges. Whether it was commanding a battlefield or engaging in tense negotiations, he lived for the thrill of the impossible. Even if the next move turned out to be his last, he wouldn't bat an eye.
At least, that's what everyone assumed he was thinking.
In reality, Rex's focus was entirely elsewhere.
His hands, ever so subtly, had found their way to Cleo's butt, where they had been "working" this entire time. While his crew had been assuming he was lost in deep thought, Rex was quietly enjoying the soft, squishable feeling beneath his palms.
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His fingers gave the occasional squeeze, and Cleo, who was still trapped in his arms, could do little more than bury her face deeper into his chest to hide her flushed expression.
Cleo was trying her best not to make any noise or to draw any attention, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her embarrassment. She gritted her teeth, her hands gripping Rex's shirt as her entire body burned with the heat of mortification.
This, of course, was the
real
reason Rex had been able to maintain that relaxed smile during the intense negotiations at the trading station. To him, the tense situation had been no more nerve-wracking than a quiet stroll.
After all, what was the fear of political deals and pirate threats compared to the glorious, uplifting joy of squeezing his wife's butt?
By the time the transport ship finally touched down in the main ship's hangar, Cleo looked like she had been through an emotional warzone. Her usual composure was shattered, her face was still red, and she couldn't even lift her head to meet anyone's gaze.
The ramp lowered with a hiss, and everyone began filing out.
"I'll see you all later,"
Rex announced, walking down the ramp with Cleo still firmly in his arms. His tone was light, but there was a smugness to his words that didn't go unnoticed.
"I'm going to put Cleo to bed. She's not feeling well, or maybe she just ran out of energy."
Carlos, who had been standing near the ramp, raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk creeping across his face.
"Ran out of energy, huh?"
he muttered under his breath, the corner of his mouth twitching as he fought back a laugh.
Ys, meanwhile, crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"You're not even trying with these excuses anymore, Rex,
" she muttered, shaking her head.
"Ha, yeah, sure,"
Carlos replied, giving Rex a mock salute as he walked past. His smirk widened as he turned to Ys.
"Alright, pocket-sized grandma. Let's head to the training area. I need to burn some steam. Maybe I'll finally get lucky and beat you for once."
Ys whipped her head toward Carlos, her emerald-green wings twitching in irritation.
"Ha! You? Beat me? What a joke! But fine, challenge accepted! Let's go!"
She jabbed a finger toward the hallway, already marching toward the gym.
Carlos followed behind her, a single, glistening manly tear sliding down his cheek. He already knew this was going to hurt a lot. But sometimes, a friend's duty required enduring pain for the sake of distraction. If Rex was going to live the dream, Carlos figured he could at least enjoy the satisfaction of pushing Ys's buttons.
Back in the hangar, Rex strolled casually toward the hallway that led to his quarters, Cleo still clinging to him like a ragdoll. Her entire body was limp, her face still burning red from the sheer audacity of what had transpired on the transport ship.
"You're the worst,"
Cleo finally mumbled, her voice muffled against his chest.
"Aw, come on, honey,"
Rex replied with a chuckle, giving her one last playful squeeze.
"Admit it, you wouldn't have me any other way."
Cleo groaned in response, her hands weakly smashing against his chest. She knew he was right, and that only made it worse.
Back in the gym, Carlos stood across from Ys, who was already cracking her knuckles and smirking like she'd already won.
"Better give it your best shot, Carlos,
" she teased, rolling her shoulders as she stepped into the sparring ring.
"I'd hate for you to embarrass yourself too quickly."
Carlos stepped in after her, stretching his arms as he muttered to himself.
"Alright, buddy, you can do this. She's only a couple of feet shorter than you. How bad could it be?"
The answer, as always, was
very, very bad.
While Carlos was being killed by Ys in the gym, Rex was completely lost in the warmth of Cleo's lips. He kissed her as though they were the sweetest candy he'd ever tasted. The moment they got to their room, he couldn't hold back anymore. He threw her gently onto the bed and leaned in.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Cleo had given him that playful, slightly mischievous look, the kind that made his heart race. He couldn't resist. Without hesitation, he deactivated his armor, the metallic plates clinking softly as they fell away.
He climbed on top of her, grabging her face in his hand as he kissed her gently at first, then deeper, slower, with more intensity. His hand slid from her chin to the back of her head, pulling her closer.
Their lips finally parted, just barely, and for a moment, they lingered, connected by a thin string of saliva that broke as they pulled away. They stared at each other in silence, their breaths uneven but synchronized.
Rex's eyes dropped to her armor, and he gestured for her to deactivate it. Cleo hesitated for only a second before obeying. With a soft hum, her armor disappeared, leaving her in nothing but a pair of shorts and a thin, almost sheer white nightdress.
Rex's hand moved under the hem of the dress, his fingers brushing over the soft skin of her stomach. Slowly, they explored upward, gliding over her abdomen, until they reached the curve of her chest. He let his fingers linger, his touch light but deliberate.
"Ah…"
Cleo gasped softly, biting her lip as she squirmed under his touch. Her golden eyes, now wide and glowing faintly in the dim light, locked onto his.
"Rex, wait,"
she murmured, her voice trembling just slightly.
"No, I won't,"
Rex said with a sly grin. Before Cleo could say anything else, he leaned in and pressed his lips to her neck, leaving soft kisses that turned into playful, teasing licks.
"Ah... not there, wait,"
Cleo murmured, her voice trembling as her fingers tangled in his hair. She shut her eyes tight, her breathing uneven.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips.
"Haaa—"
she cried out softly when Rex nipped at her neck, his teeth grazing her skin, his hand slowly exploring the curve of her body under her nightdress.
"Cleo,"
Rex whispered, his voice low and teasing.
"You're just too adorable. I can't stop myself from wanting to tease you more."
He slid his hand out from beneath the fabric, his touch trailing lightly across her skin as he withdrew.
Now kneeling before her, Rex glanced down at Cleo's legs, still pressed together. Without a word, he gently lifted them, his lips brushing against the soft skin of her thighs. Slowly... almost torturously... he nudged her legs apart, his movements deliberate, until he settled between them.
When his eyes met hers, he froze for a moment. Cleo had her hands behind her head, grabbing her hair; her bottom lip caught between her teeth. That look... shy yet enticing... was enough to send a rush of heat through him. Unable to resist, he gripped her hips firmly and tugged her closer, positioning her against him.
"Kya! Wait, wait—what are you—"
Cleo tried to protest, her voice wavering. But Rex didn't give her a chance to finish. He raised her left leg, his hand strong but careful, and brought his lips to her skin. His tongue traced a slow, deliberate path along her calf before his teeth gently pressed down, leaving faint marks in their wake.
Every sound she made only fueled him further. Each bite, each kiss, left her squirming under his touch, her flushed face only adding to her allure.
Rex froze for a moment, his gaze locking onto Cleo. Her flushed cheeks, her half-lidded eyes, the way her chest rose and fell with every shaky breath... it was almost too much. She looked just as worked up as he felt, maybe even more. His lips curled into a slow, teasing smile.
"Cleo,"
he murmured, his voice low and rich with temptation,
"I've learned something new with that halo I got before. Wanna see it?"
She didn't answer, not with words, anyway. Her mind seemed completely lost in the haze, her body trembling faintly, and her eyes begging for him to keep going. Rex chuckled softly, the sound deep and warm.
He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear as he whispered,
"I'll take that as a yes."
Without waiting, Rex summoned the glowing golden halo. It shimmered into existence behind him, casting a soft light across the room. In the center of the halo, a golden orb materialized, pulsating with energy.
Slowly, the orb began to draw something from Rex's body. His towering frame, once an imposing 2.5 meters, began to shrink down, his powerful form condensing until he was back to his regular height of 1.85 meters.
"Cool, huh?"
he said, his voice tinged with playful mischief as he stepped back slightly, pulling his shirt over his head.
The fabric slid away, revealing the firm, chiseled lines of his chest and the way his muscles moved with every subtle shift.
"Now I can finally do what I've always wanted... but couldn't before. I was too scared I'd hurt you."
Cleo's breath hitched, her gaze following his every movement. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but all that came out was a soft whimper. Rex smirked, leaning down again, his fingers grazing the waistband of her shorts. He moved slowly, deliberately, savoring the moment.
"
Let's get rid of these, shall we?
" he whispered, his voice thick with desire.
Cleo arched her hips off the bed, her body practically offering itself to him, making it easier for him to slide her shorts down her thighs. His hands lingered on her bare skin, his fingertips tracing slow, lazy circles as he tugged the fabric away.
Every touch sent a shiver through her body, and Rex couldn't help but admire the way her skin reacted to him... how her body seemed to crave him as much as he craved her.