?<strong>Chapter 1357:</strong>


    “What’s the experiment trying to solve?” she asked, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice.


    “Rare diseases,” he replied, his tone almost reverent.


    “Oh.”


    Most people their age were preupied with mindless fun or unting their lives, but Kenji was a rarity—a man of purpose. Scarlette found this side of him oddly fascinating and couldn’t help but steal a nce his way.


    Kenji caught her gaze.


    In the stillness of the night, the warmth between them seemed to spark something deeper, stirring feelings that neither of them were quite prepared for.


    Scarlette’s eyes lingered on his sharp, handsome features. She murmured under her breath, “You know… Kissing you isn’t half-bad.”


    Kenji’s frown deepened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Who could resist such an invitation?


    With one swift motion, he lifted her onto the piano, no longer content with just a kiss. His long fingers began exploring her body, inching closer to ces that made her pulse race.


    “Was it only painful that night?” he asked, his lips brushing against hers, his gaze searching hers with an intensity that made her shiver.


    “Did you feel anything else?”


    Scarlette shook her head, her voice barely a whisper.


    “Just pain.”


    “I want the truth,” he said, his lips now tracing a line down her jaw.


    “Okay.”


    She licked her lips nervously.


    “It really hurt.”


    Kenji chuckled, but there was an edge to it, something dark. He coaxed her, “It won’t be like that tonight.”


    Scarlette’s body shivered at his words, a strange, unexpected anticipation creeping up on her. She was no longer as repulsed by him as she had been before, not after everything that had already happened. While kissing her, Kenji lifted her to sit down.


    Scarlette, in an almost mechanical movement, lifted her leg to help him remove her pants.


    Kenji, momentarily breaking the kiss, nced down at her actions. His eyes twinkled with mischief.


    “What are you doing?” he asked, a yful grin tugging at his lips.


    Scarlette blinked, confused.


    “Oh, should I take off my clothes first?”


    Kenji fought back augh, though he could feel his own desire rising. He gently turned her to face the piano, his hands firm but not unkind.


    “Why bother taking your clothes off? I’m not going to do anything with you until we’re married.”


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