234: Beware of Dark Alleys

Beware of Dark Alleys

The high walls of the alley blocked off some of that deafening sound, and the scent of him shielded me from the pungent sting of ashes. I breathed anyway, taking in the crisp and fresh whiff of cedar rising so distinctively above the smoke. "Bai Ye," I chuckled against his lips. "I see how it is … Did you pull me over here on purpose?"1

I might not have grown up in a city, but I had heard my share of stories where dandy highborns coax unsuspecting maidens into an alley and … well, spend some quality time together in a dark corner. Maybe I shouldn't be suspecting that the man in front of me, who always appeared so elegant and proper, would be one of those with such an unspeakable quirk, but the curl of his lips told me otherwise. "What if I did?" He nibbled my bottom lip.

I peered past him sideways. The alley we were in was a narrow dead-end road, with giant crates lining the space all around us, some of them big enough to fit a whole person comfortably. We must be at the back entrance to a warehouse getting their supplies ready for tomorrow. No one should be coming this way at this hour anymore, and the view from the main street was easily blocked by the containers.

"Then you picked a good spot," I smiled, draping my arms around his shoulders. "Should I be alarmed by how good you seem to be at this?"

He laughed. Taking another step forward, he wedged me against the wall and deepened our kiss.

Unlike the earlier tease, he didn't stop at a bare taste of me this time. His tongue swirled nimbly in the depth of my mouth, not missing any nook and corner, entangling with mine in a sensual dance. A small sigh escaped the back of my throat. Encouraged by my signal, his hands slid behind me, clutching my bottom and hoisting my body closer towards him.

The gesture surprised me a little. He wasn't really planning to do something right here, was he? We were still in a busy area of the city, and this was the capital after all. If we were to get caught in the middle of indecency … would there be consequences?

Just as my thoughts were starting to wander, the sound of firecrackers quieted. "Bring more tomorrow!" someone shouted in a distance, and the cheers from the crowd were finally audible again. "Remember to come join us!" A few more voices and applauds sounded, and a clatter of footsteps started moving away from where the firecrackers were, coming closer towards us.

"Bai Ye!" I gasped, breaking our kiss. "People are coming this way!"

He smiled, though he showed no signs of releasing me from his embrace. "As long as we stay very quiet …" he tilted his head and brushed his lips against my ear, "why would anyone turn onto this dead-end alley for no reason?"

I glared at him. He could've at least let go of me and pretend to look a little more appropriate … Biting back my retort on his outrageously thick skin, I waited for the people to pass. They were getting closer, closer …

Just as the tappings against the pavement passed the entrance to our alley, he leaned forward and planted a trail of kisses beneath my ear.

"Um …" The unwarned touch sent a ripple of tingles coursing through me. My hand flew to my mouth, but it was too late, and a whimper shot straight out of me. My heart thudded in my chest. This ridiculous man … What was he trying to do?

I strained my ears for the footsteps, my head spinning for where to hide if someone did turn this way to check the noise. But the crowd passed the alley without slowing, continuing forward into the distance.

I let out a relieved sigh then. "Bai! Ye!" I gritted my teeth. "You …! You really want us to get caught that badly?"

He chuckled and tried to peck my lips again, though I pushed him away with another vehement glare. "Qing-er," he lowered his head and begged. "How could they possibly hear us after all those firecrackers? They'd be lucky not to be shouting at each other for the rest of the night."

"…" Oh, so he had planned this with such careful thoughts … For a moment, I wasn't sure if I should be glad, or more angry, or embarrassed. "You … You really are impossible," I mumbled. "How could you—"

"Do another count." A voice suddenly came from the main street a block or so from us. "The crates are going out first thing tomorrow morning. Make sure nothing is missing."

I froze then, and I felt Bai Ye's arms stiffen as well. Those must be the workers at the warehouse coming to check their inventory. And they were coming our way …

Bai Ye sighed. "Looks like our luck did run out today." Releasing me at last, he strode towards the biggest container next to us and opened the lid. "Although I really don't care at all if someone sees us, I suppose it's worth hiding to save us the trouble of explaining to them why we're lurking around their back entrance … Qing-er, why are you still standing there?"

I was staring at him in a trance, of course. He was suggesting that we hide in the crate? Had this always been his backup plan if we were to get caught?

"Come, before they see us." He strode back, clutching my arm and nudging me towards the crate. "This is for your modesty's sake. If you don't mind telling them we're simply enjoying ourselves in a dark alley, then we don't have to—"

I didn't wait for him to finish that sentence. The nearing footsteps were more than enough to convince me. Gathering my spiritual power, I hopped into the giant container almost as tall as me. With a low chuckle, Bai Ye followed. Then he closed the lid, sealing us in complete darkness.

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