Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 321
TL: Elphie / PR: Mikan
“Whoa!”
Irene shut her eyes tightly and shook the water from her face as seawater splashed down over her head. But the downpour didnât stop.
Because Michael was scooping water with both hands and dumping it over her, again and again.
âAh! Stop it!â
She shrieked as she tried to run away, but Michaelâs mischief only escalated.
Mid-escape, Irene suddenly turned with resolve and smacked the water hard with her hands.
Splash!
A wave of seawater hit Michael square in the face. He froze, wiping his face with both hands.
Delighted that sheâd finally gotten him back, Irene laughed and continued flinging water at him with both hands, triumphant in her counterattack.
âMichael, youâll get it too!â
Her laughter echoed across the sea.
Michael wiped the water from his face and raised an eyebrow, a dangerous grin spreading across his face.
âIf youâre going to play it that wayâŚâ
Irene quickly turned to flee as she noticed the mischievous look in his eyes.
But the water caught at her legs, and Michael, moving far faster than her, swiftly closed the distance and wrapped his arm around her waist from behind.
âAh!â
Before she could react, Michael lifted her into the air with one arm, and before she knew it, they both plunged into the water with a loud splash.
âSurrender!â
Irene waved her hands dramatically, but this time Michael didnât back down easily.
His grip on her waist tightened, and she was pulled in and out of the water several times.
Though it was a bit exhausting, it wasnât entirely unpleasant. After a few tries, Irene found it amusing, even as she was tossed back and forth in the waves.
Irene realized that even this was Michael’s way of being considerate toward her. So when her body was lifted up again, she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Even if you hold on like that, I wonât let you off this tiâ”
Michael couldnât finish his sentence.
Because Irene, smiling as she hugged him, stole his lips at that very moment.
It was a playful kiss.
Then, as if asking him to open his mouth quickly, she bit his upper lip.
Perhaps surprised by her bold move, though only for a moment, Michaelâs arms tightened around her waist, and soon his tongue entered her mouth.
Their actions were rough and urgent, like two people exploring each other for the first time.
Their tongues tangled over and over again. The long kiss carried the taste of the sea.
When the kiss finally ended, Irene, her face flushed, exhaled a shaky breath and said to him,
âYou really wonât let me off?â
At her teasing words, Michael couldnât help but burst into laughter as well.
âHave I ever won against you even once?â
He kissed her cheek like he was admitting defeat.
After swimming in the sea for quite a while longer and playing as they held onto each other, the two of them finally returned to the beach.
âPhewâŚâ
Back in the shade, Irene collapsed onto the spot Michael had laid out for them.
Playing in the sea took far more energy than sheâd expected.
Especially on days like today, when she and Michael genuinely tried to hold onto each other, the exhaustion was even greater.
While she had felt hot under the blazing sun at the beach, now that she was sitting in the shade with her clothes soaked, a chill quickly settled in.
Just as Irene wrapped her arms around herself and curled up, something soft and warm enveloped her body.
When she turned, she saw Michael was already wrapping a towel around her that he had brought over without her noticing.
As he gently wiped the remaining seawater from her skin, he spoke.
âYou should take off your clothes. If you stay in wet ones, your body temperature will keep dropping.â
âWell, thatâs true, butâŚâ
âCome on, now.â
With a voice full of concern, he gently urged her then reached out himself and began removing Ireneâs clothes.
As the wet garments that were clinging to her skin were peeled away, a sudden chill rushed over her now-exposed flesh.
Sensing this, Michael pulled out another towel and draped it over her body.
When warmth finally began to seep into her trembling frame, Irene felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her.
âHow about lying down for a bit? That way, youâll be able to go back into the sea later.â
At Michaelâs suggestion, she gave a small nod and slowly lay down on the spot he had prepared.
Once she was lying down, Irene closed her eyes.
A cool breeze drifted by, and the sound of waves filled her ears.
