Jake stared at the list of notifications and become completely dumbfounded.
'I can select a skill?'
He couldn't help but feel shocked at this.
Even though he still didn't fully understand how earning skills worked yet in this world, but he knew how powerful they could be as he had just personally experience it.
And each one had the potential to turn him from an ordinary person into something far more.
But as he looked at the options, Jake wasn't sure what to pick... because every single one looked like a failed or half-broken skill.
So for now, he decided to set it aside and think carefully later.
Right now, soothing Grace was more important.
Grace currently clung to him like a grieving child who had finally found a sliver of warmth in a cold world.
Then she actually continue to cried for a solid half an hour, as her shoulders shaking with every sob.
Jake almost wondered how one small woman could have so many tears.
Eventually, her crying quieted.
She grew still and reduced to soft sniffles buried against his shoulder.
Jake let out a gentle sigh, feeling her finally begin to calm down abit so he tried to pull back slightly, wanting to give her some personal space.
"?"
…But she wouldn't budge and her arms only tightened even more around his shoulders, refusing to let go.
Jake smiled wryly at her stubbornness because now that the storm of emotions had settled a little, he finally became acutely aware of how close they were...
Right now... their bodies were practically glued together as her warmth seeped into him and her soft, sweet scent wrapped around his senses like a gentle veil.
He could smell the faint fragrance of her hair and skin... and then there was the unmistakable pressure of her huge, soft breasts squishing gently against his chest with every breath she took.
Jake's heart jump hard feeling that soft warmth as a sharp wave of desire stirred deep inside him, but he gritted his teeth and fought to keep control.
His hands hovered uncertainly at her waist.
Even now, he had the feeling that if he pushed himself onto her, Grace probably wouldn't resist as she was vulnerable, emotionally raw, and desperately seeking comfort.
...But then what?
What would that make him? No different from the beasts who only took what they wanted.
Not to mention that he had just spoken to her about trust, so if he crossed that line now, he would be basically breaking his own words.
Then he took a slow, steadying breath and spoke softly as his voice low and careful.
"…Grace, could you let go a little? I don't think it's appropriate for a man and a woman to be this close right now."
At his words, instead of loosening her hold, Grace's arms tightened even more around him.
She pressed her face deeper into the crook of his neck, her voice coming out small, hoarse from crying, and almost childlike in its pleading tone.
"...Don't. Please... Just a little longer."
At those soft words, Jake froze.
Her words hit him harder than he expected.
The warmth of her body, the way she trembled slightly even now... and the quiet desperation in her voice…
It all made his resolve waver dangerously.
He closed his eyes for a moment, battling the growing heat rising in his chest and lower body.
His hands, which had been trying to create distance, unconsciously rested on her back instead.
Jake himself was a healthy man in the prime of his youth and he had desires... especially now that he was being pressed this closely against a beautiful woman like Grace.
So his body was already starting to react strongly, and he knew he couldn't stay like this much longer without losing control.
His gaze hurriedly glanced around the room, desperately searching for a way to break this dangerous situation before his burning desire exploded.
Then his eyes brightened as an idea came to him.
Jake growled lowly in his throat and murmured,
"Grace... if you don't let go right now, my hand might... misbehave."
At the same time, one of his hands slowly slid down her back, stopping just above the curve of her hips in a clear, warning motion.
It wasn't a full advance, but it was enough to let her know as he wanted to scare her into pulling away... or at least force her to realize how thin the line was right now.
"..."
But instead of getting shy and backing away, Grace remained silent, her face still buried against his chest.
"??"
Jake's heart almost jumped out of his chest as he wasn't dense enough to miss a woman's signal.
The lack of resistance, the way she stayed pressed against him even after his blatant warning… it was anything but rejection.
Instead of scaring her off, his words and touch seemed to have the opposite effect.
Jake's breathing grew rougher and heavier at this.
The heat that had been simmering in his lower body flared hotter as his "burning sword" now strained painfully against his pants.
And he slowly began to feel even more... every soft curve of her body molded perfectly against him... especially the heavy weight of her enormous breasts squishing warmly into his chest as her nice, sweet fragrance filled his senses with every breath.
His hand, still resting just above her hips, trembled slightly with restraint.
"Grace..." he warned again, his voice now hoarse and strained. "I'm serious. If you keep clinging like this... I won't be able to stop myself."
But still no answer came.
....Only the faint, almost imperceptible shift of her body... pressing just a little closer, as if silently inviting him.
"!"
At that small movement, Jake's resolve finally cracked.