Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, their breaths mingling, and their hearts racing.
There, beside the towering stone in the midst of the forest, they shared an intense moment.
Amidst the forest, under the hazy night sky, Ethan pulled Sherry closer, his hands gliding over her back through her shirt, savoring every moment of their kiss, losing himself in the allure of her tempting lips.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally parted.
A rosy blush spread across Sherry's face, her lips glistening with wetness.
The moonlight heightened their allure, tempting Ethan to kiss her once more.
"Sherry, you truly are beautiful," he whispered.
Warmth spread in Sherry's heart, but then she thought of Mia, who had traveled with Ethan, and couldn't help but ask, "Ethan, do you say this to every woman?"
"Of course, not—"
Before he could finish, she cut him off, "I want the truth! Ethan, don't even think of deceiving me. Even though I've never felt this way for any man before, I'm well aware that to many, women are merely objects."
Ethan's retort died on his lips.
Gently tucking strands of her hair behind her ears, he took her hand, softly proposing, "Come, walk with me."
"Alright," Sherry nodded in agreement.
They strolled through the forest, moonlight filtering through the canopy, casting dreamlike patterns on the ground.
The forest might be fraught with dangers, but given both their Rank S Hero capabilities, threats were negligible.
They didn't venture far before finding a clearing, graced by a serene pond.
Ethan gestured, and they sat by its bank.
"Sherry," Ethan began earnestly, "I won't lie to you. I have known several women in my life."
Though she had somewhat expected it, hearing Ethan's candid confession still left a hint of disappointment in Sherry's heart.
"It's undeniable," Ethan began, his gaze deep and reflective, "that apart from being considerably stronger than the average person, I am also different in many other ways."
"Especially in this world, where the law of the jungle—the survival of the fittest—is even more pronounced. "
"Without strength, one either becomes a captive, gets killed, or is imprisoned in a dark, sunless dungeon."
"So, becoming powerful, dictating others' fates – that's the way to survive."
"This is the essence of the world! It determines that the strong in this realm will have more resources, more women. "
"Especially when you see someone suffering and you possess the power to assist them. Their pleading eyes can make it hard to turn away, evoking a deep sense of pity."
"Do you understand what I'm trying to convey?" He asked, turning to her, "Sherry?"
Sherry took a deep breath, glancing at the moon's reflection shimmering on the pond before turning to the man beside her.
She rested her head on Ethan's shoulder, her gaze distant and contemplative.
"I'm not sure," she murmured, "but perhaps I do. When I faced hardships in the past, I often wished for someone to rescue me. "
"Just like in fairy tales where the Hero saves the princess from the Dark Lord. If I were that princess, I think I would fall in love with the Hero who saved me."
"But reality is what it is, and I never had a hero come to save me," Sherry murmured, her voice laden with pain, "until I met you. You know, when that streak of lightning struck, I thought my life was over, and perhaps I could finally find peace. But when that final moment approached, I regretted it."
"There were so many things I hadn't done yet. I didn't want to die just like that."
Sherry's voice quivered, revealing her most genuine feelings. A mist of tears formed in her eyes, blurring her vision.
Ethan drew Sherry into a comforting embrace, feeling a profound sympathy for her.
He had heard a fraction of her story from Pale Wolf.
But he was certain that what he knew was just the tip of the iceberg.
The majority of this girl's life was steeped in suffering.
Yet, it hadn't broken her. Instead, it had forged her into a hero far surpassing the ordinary.
Avoiding the painful memories, Ethan gently kissed Sherry's cheek and whispered, "What's past cannot be changed. What we can do is embrace the present."
"As for the question you asked earlier, I have an answer. I have several close companions. Each one of them is precious to me, and I would never abandon any of them. Sherry, you're no different, if you're willing."
The three most beautiful words in the world are, undoubtedly, "I do."
Sherry uttered those words, feeling the warmth and security emanating from Ethan's embrace.
It was a sensation she had never felt before.
On this night, after a brush with death, she realized that her once-guarded heart had made room for someone else.
What followed seemed like the natural progression of things.
Sherry found herself gently laid upon the grass, her hair cascading around her.
Ethan's strong hands explored the contours of her body, tearing away her top in eager anticipation.
"You're so rough! I don't have many clothes left!" Sherry seemed to scold Ethan, but the hint of a smile at the corner of her lips betrayed her enjoyment of his brazen actions.
As her clothing gave way, her ample form was unveiled.
Once more, Ethan marveled at the softness and fullness of Sherry's figure, thinking he could lose himself between them, which he promptly did.
Burying his face, he inhaled her unique scent deeply, not wanting to pull away.
Sherry's breathing became erratic.
She had never been this close with a man, and Ethan's experienced touches left her awash with unfamiliar sensations.
Not only did he tease with his tongue, but he also took to fondling her tenderly, rendering her breathless.
"Ethan, be gentle..." Sherry gasped, feeling overwhelmed, "I feel... weird. Please, get off me, I need... I can't hold it any longer!"
The flush on Sherry's face deepened, mortified by the unexpected turn of events.
Realizing her predicament, Ethan reassured her, "It's okay, Sherry. It's natural for someone inexperienced. In time, you'll come to appreciate it."
"Just let me take a quick break," Sherry pleaded again, torn between trust and discomfort.
But Ethan didn't relent.
Instead, he continued his sweet torment, further exciting the flustered Sherry.
Overwhelmed by pleasure, Sherry lost all control.
Moisture enveloped her, and she let out a soft exclamation. "Ethan, this is all your fault!"
Her face crumpled in distress, almost to the point of tears.
The vulnerable Sherry was a stark contrast to the ice-cold demeanor she had when Ethan first met her.
This change only intensified Ethan's fascination.
Recognizing her frustration, Ethan gently lifted himself off her and swiftly pulled Sherry up, trying to appease her.
"Sherry, it's all my mistake! Will you forgive me? Besides, there's a lake nearby. I can help you clean up."
"No need, I'll do it myself."
Wearing damp clothes was incredibly uncomfortable.
She glanced at Ethan and noticed his intense gaze.
A smug feeling washed over her, thinking about her beauty's effect on him.
Deliberately, she began to remove her torn top, followed by her pants, shoes, and finally, her delicate undergarments.
"What a pervert!" she muttered under her breath, leaving her clothes behind as she gracefully stepped into the lake.
Ethan couldn't help but admire, murmuring, "Simply beautiful."
Seizing the opportunity while Sherry was occupied, he stealthily approached and came up behind her.
Wrapping his arms around her, his hands cupped the softness of her chest.
"You couldn't resist, could you?" Sherry teased with a chuckle, feeling completely relaxed.
Ethan defensively retorted, "It's not that I couldn't control myself. It's just that you look absolutely breathtaking like this."
"Hmph, liar," Sherry playfully rebuked, yet she didn't push Ethan away.
At that moment, Sherry noticed something unusual.
Though the waters of the lake were cool, there was a burning sensation pressed between her thighs, making her legs tingle.
Even though Sherry lacked experience, she wasn't entirely naive about these matters.
She reached down under the water, encountering Ethan's heated arousal.
"It's so big! And hot!" she exclaimed, a mix of surprise and intrigue in her voice. "If that were to enter me, it might just kill me..."
Without thinking, her grip tightened.
Ethan yelped in pain, "Ouch, Sherry! What are you doing? If you're seeking revenge, there are other ways, you know?"
"Ethan, I'm sorry," Sherry turned to face him, eyes filled with remorse. Seeing the pain evident on Ethan's face, she grew even more flustered. "Ethan, are you okay? I truly didn't mean it."
"It's alright," Ethan said, gritting his teeth but trying to soothe her. "I know you didn't mean to."
Witnessing this vulnerable side of Sherry gave Ethan a mischievous idea.
He teased, "Sherry, since you're apologizing, shouldn't there be some actual compensation?"
"What kind of compensation?" Sherry inquired, curiosity evident in her eyes.
Instead of answering directly, Ethan took her hand and began leading her towards a large rock on the shore.
"Just follow me," he beckoned.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l