AN. I'd like to thank you all for your support and reviews. Really, they motivate me immensely and make writing this little tale even more enjoyable! I especially enjoy reading people's reactions of Sitri's actions, or their prediction of the story! Please, don't hesitate to tell me what you think about any little thing; I'll always gladly read your thoughts and opinions! Hope you enjoy this one!

-GHW

Chapter 4: Demon's Kiss

I'll tell him I can't. I'll be polite, thankful, but firm. He has to know I won't change my mind about it.

Enri's heart thumped against her chest like a mad bull. It quaked so strongly, she feared her organ might break through her ribs.

But seriously, what is he thinking!? Why else would he want to talk to me alone, in the middle of the night?

Indeed, Sitri had requested to speak with Enri after the safety of Carne Village had been ascertained.

H-He's going to ask me to marry him again! I know it! Especially after saving Nemu… He'll say I have to!

The blonde lass' fingers continually stroked her single-braided ponytail.

I'm thankful he saved Nemu and I, but I can't leave the village behind! I have to help out… and there's also Nfirea… How would he react if he knew I was going to get married?

It was just a fleeting thought, but Enri paused momentarily, and seriously pondered the matter.

Well… I'm sure he'd be happy for me. But, still! I can't leave the village behind, no matter what!

An odd idea struck the blonde lass; it made her slap her own cheeks in shock.

W-What if he wants to stay here instead!? What will I do then!?

While her face turned crimson, Enri bashfully swung her legs back and forth.

I barely know him! B-But… he's pretty handsome… and he's so strong too… He's even more muscular than Mister Jugem.

"What am I going to do~?" Enri delivered in an exhausted sigh. She buried her face between her arms.

"Miss Enri, may I come in?"

It was Sitri.

Enri's body immediately straightened, "O-Of course! Please come in!"

She was thankful the goblins had repaired her entrance, as she was just saved from further embarrassment.

The burly warrior grabbed a seat and set it near Enri's adjacent side.

He gave her a comforting look, adjoined with a tender smile. It made Enri's cheeks grow even hotter.

"How are you doing? Are you and Nemu alright?"

"Yes. We are doing well, thanks to you, Mister Sitri."

The warrior casually flicked his fingers before his face as if swatting an invisible fly, "No need to call me Mister. Just Sitri is fine."

"O-Okay then, Sitri…" Enri acknowledge the request, but lacked the courage to look him in the eye. "Thank you very much for your help."

The warrior slouched slightly on his seat. He lazily opened his legs, and rested one of his arms atop the chair's back. "So, I spoke to the Village Chief, and he told me I could stay here for a few days, as a reward for my contribution."

"That's great news!" Enri replied with perhaps a bit too much excitement.

Sitri tapped his fingers against the wooden table, "But it didn't feel right, you know – to just accept without consulting with you too. Because I can tell – even after just a few hours spent here – I understand that you play a great role in this village."

"Me? I'm not sure that's completely true, Mist… I mean, Sitri. I'm just someone lucky enough to have been given a second chance of helping my friends and family."

"As humble as ever, Miss Enri."

For some reason, the village girl pouted slightly.

"In any case, is it okay with you, if I remain here for a few days?"

"Of course! You needn't even ask me! After what you've done for Nemu and I… That much is nothing!"

"Good. I'm honored to have your approval." Sitri tapped his knuckles against the table twice, then stood up from his seat. "Well, thank you for your time, Miss Enri. It's been a very long night, so I shall let you rest."

Huh? What?

She saw Sitri pacing back towards the door.

"E-Excuse me!"

Gah! W-Why did I call him out!? I don't even know what I'm going to say!

The burly warrior did not turn right away. First, he had to dissimulate the devilish smirk on his lips.

"I-Is that everything?" Enri asked timidly, cursing herself for having mindlessly spoken out.

Sitri's imposing back elevated slightly, product of a clearly exaggerated sigh.

"I suppose you can tell, can't you, Miss Enri?" He posed his steeled fist against the door's entrance.

What a gaudy display; his movements were but pure theatrics, however, the young villager was too focused on the man to notice the masquerade.

"I apologize for this in advance, but… I am not a noble hero." He turned and posed, forming a horseshoe shape with each of his arms. "I am not even a good man, for right as I saved you, my mind burned with a singular thought – a request expressing my heart's desire."

Enri was touched by the melancholy and passion of his tone. "And what may that request be?"

"I know. I know." Sitri dragged his chair back in front of Enri, "I know you said marriage was out of the question, but…" He sat before the village girl, making a show of his immensely powerful stature atop the small wooden seat. "…if I cannot have that, then surely my heart would feel at peace, after sharing with you, a kiss."

"A k-k-kiss!?" Enri almost fell out of her seat. "From me? That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Of course, I absolutely understand." Sitri pressed his steeled claws against his face, "How could I have been so foolish? It's not about being noble or not… saving you and your sister, only to ask for something in return… it's villainy in its purest form!"

"…N-No… I wouldn't go that far-"

"My apologies, Miss Enri." Sitri shot up from his seat. He turned his heels, his steeled right hand ever-glued to his face, "I must leave at once. I've dishonored you with my request."

If only Enri could hear, the cacophony of cackles drowning out Sitri's brain as he felt her fingers holding onto his left wrist.

"W…Why…?"

The lustful wolf turned slowly, witnessing his trembling sheep's delicious expression.

"Why me…?"

Her hand was warm, and not entirely soft, but still, Sitri gently caressed it. "Because you're an incredible woman, Miss Enri. You're strong, and capable and you care about the people in this village with all your heart. Your kindness and strength alone make you incredibly desirable."

This time, she did not pull her hand away. "This is the first time anyone's told me something like that."

"Now, now. Enough joking around, your modesty is too much."

"It's true!" She stepped back, fiddling with her braided ponytail as she stammered, "E-Especially coming from a m-man."

"I supposed that makes me a very lucky man, Miss Enri." Sitri carefully placed his hands around her hips.

"Just… Enri…" She mumbled timidly.

"What was that?" Sitri hadn't quite heard what she'd said, but in lieu of an answer, the village girl pecked him on the lips.

It was a second-long, probably less, but she had clearly kissed Sitri.

"I'm sorry…"

"What are you apologizing for?" The burly warrior asked, running his tongue across his lips to confirm the woman's taste.

"I've never kissed anyone before, so it probably wasn't very good."

"Huh?" Sitri tapped his fingertips against his lips. "Was that a kiss? Is that how you kiss someone in Carne Village?"

Enri placed her hands in front of her face in shock, "I-I'm so sorry! I-I-I told you! I'm useless when it comes to these things! I don't know anything about k-kissing someone!"

Sitri placed himself comfortably on his chair and said, "Gahahaha! Don't worry about it. If it's anything, I find it to be very cute, but I can't have such a wonderful woman going around thinking that's how you kiss someone." He patted the top of his thighs and added, "Come. I'll show you how I'd do it."

"Umm… Are you suggesting I…?"

Tap. Tap.

"Sit over here, I want to enjoy my reward! Gahahaha!" Sitri indicated his legs anew.

Enri's mind was set ablaze.

There's no way! There's no way I can do something so embarrassing!

A torrid heat swelled in her chest. Her lips still held a tiny bit of Sitri's warmth.

The warrior awaited her, limbs arrogantly splayed out like a master calling for his slave. And yet, Enri could only focus on his calm, somewhat cocky expression. Those mountainous brown eyes of his emitted an unbreakable aura.

Her blue slippers traced a few inches forward, like an ice-skater's first step onto the rink.

A few patches of sweat dampened Sitri's shirt, and Enri even caught herself staring at the few strands of chest hair peeking out of his top. That fuzzy trail, embedded between his incredible pectorals captivated her every step of the way.

Finally, she was close enough for the burly warrior to place his hands on her waist.

"J-Just a kiss, right?" Enri pleaded, looking up at the man with big wet eyes.

"I won't be satisfied with just one. Allow me a few kisses, at least."

Enri sealed her eyes and nodded. Truly, it was much too embarrassing to bear. The village girl froze, right as her legs touched Sitri's.

"W-What am I supposed to do now?"

"Just climb onto me and sit." The warrior answered, while tracing his fingers down the lovely cloth of her golden skirt.

"Is all this really necessary for a kiss?"

"Well, we don't have to do it if you don't want to." Sitri remarked with a coy grin.

"No… it's fine." Enri steeled herself, gripping the lower half of her skirt, and lifting it slightly so she could place her legs onto Sitri's lap.

"You look so cute when you're all fired up like that."

"Please don't make fun of me." Enri's legs rested perpendicularly on top of Sitri's thighs. It was not entirely uncomfortable.

"I don't want you hurting your neck. Sit facing me."

As she struggled momentarily to replace herself, the village girl soon realized the shamefulness of the pose. She had no choice but to lift her skirt even higher, while both her legs slid past Sitri's waist. It wasn't just the proximity; their bodies were practically glued to one another.

He was so close… the scent of his sweat now tickled her senses. That musk, born of the warrior's incredible power, started tainting her thoughts.

This is kind of… amazing.

"You're so light… almost like a doll resting on my lap."

"S-Sorry…"

"Make sure you don't fall, my little Enri doll." Sitri cruelly gave her a tiny push, just enough to tilt her body backward.

"D-Don't-!" As her motion increased, Enri reflexively clung to the nearest thing to stabilize herself – in this case, Sitri's shoulders.

"Gahahaha! I couldn't help myself."

Even when he laughed, the small girl felt his entire core rocking with vigor. "You're so mean… I thought I was going to fall."

Enri's fingers dared not move, as she was already mesmerized by the feel of Sitri's shoulders. They were like great pillars of stone, and but an inch further, his muscles bulged upwards towards his neck, forming a delightful triangle of flesh.

A man's body is… so nice. Enri buried those thoughts as deep as she could, but still their heat spread through her chest.

"Here, this is how I'll apologize." Sitri grabbed the very bottom of her chin, pinching it between his steeled thumb and index.

He's going to kiss me!

Enri unconsciously tensed up. Her legs tightened around Sitri, while her fingers dug into his shoulders.

But she felt nothing against her lips. Instead, the warrior posed a kiss on her cheek.

"Don't be so nervous," Sitri teased, "Here, take my hand." He slid his rugged fingers against hers, gently clasping her right hand into his left.

Surprising as the gesture was, it did help to calm Enri's nerves.

"S-Sorry…"

"I won't berate you for it, since I find it adorable, but you don't need to keep apologizing."

"R-Right..."

As Sitri's face drew closer, the wild aura he commanded engulfed Enri's mind. Like a hungering beast, he greedily pressed his lips against hers, while his fingers roamed her lower back.

Enri's first true kiss was thus consumed, or rather, devoured. The first few seconds of back and forth intimacy quickly faded by. Every time their lips met, her supple pink flesh melded with the warrior's, basking in pleasurable warmth. However, the man descended even lower, relishing the feel of her lower lip, as well as her neck and collarbones.

Before parting from Enri's flesh, Sitri's lips would grace her with a gentle smack, and the lewdness of the sound alone made Enri's spine tingle in excitement.

"Open your mouth a bit more." Sitri demanded.

She slowly parted her lips, heaving hot clouds with every breath.

"Stick your tongue out too."

Enri hesitated, "M-My tongue? Are you sure?"

A nod from the lustful warrior was all it took. After all, the poor girl was practically liquefying in his arms already. As she nervously revealed her rosy tongue, Sitri joined their lips anew, gently tasting the sweetened, strawberry-shaped delicacy she presented him.

The boiling heat, the copious mingling of their mouths, the warrior's masculine fragrance and iron-firm body: it was all too much for Enri, who felt like she might faint at any given moment.

"Mgff~" Enri had to breathe through her nose, just in order to retain her consciousness.

The embraces went on for countless minutes; Sitri allowed the lass the bare minimum of breathing, before drowning her once more in passion akin to molten lava. In some ways it was torture, in others it was heaven.

She underwent the entire ordeal without a single protest.

She lost track of how long it had been, but eventually, Sitri pulled his lips away from hers.

"You've turned into quite the wonderful kisser." He pointed to her saliva-soaked shirt. "A bit messy though."

Enri huffed in exhaustion, "Sh'orr-"

"If you apologize, then I'll demand more kissing."

Her amber eyes barely held his gaze. At the very least, she did not complete her apology.

"Thank you for your kindness, Enri. I think that'll be all for today."

The words echoed in her mind. For… today?

As Sitri attempted to lift the blonde woman off his hips, he heard a dripping moan spilling from her mouth.

"Enri? Are you okay?"

She plastered her hands atop her mouth, but it was too late. Her flushed cheeks and ragged breathing were simple hints, but as Enri hopped off Sitri's lap, the damp spot she left on his pants was damming evidence.

Enri shook her head in shock, "I'm sho shorry…" She muffled through her palms.

"It's no big deal. If anything, I'm flattered you enjoyed it that much! Gahahaha!" But the boisterous laughter did little to soothe her this time.

"Shorry! Shorry!" Enri hurriedly dashed away and sunk her face into her pillow.

Sitri felt it was time for him to leave. "I hope you won't mind if I ask you for another taste tomorrow." And right before leaving her home, he delivered a final wish, "Sweet dreams, Miss Enri."