Chapter 255: Milky Scent!

"Ah!"

Rachel had never had a man pat her bottom before, much less Luca, the man she secretly liked.

Startled, she quickly sat upright, using Luca’s chest to steady herself.

Unfortunately, the sudden movement only made things worse.

Luca’s lips twitched from the pressure.

"Ahem, Rachel, why don’t you get up first? I’m not feeling very well."

Rachel froze.

Although she had never personally experienced it, she knew exactly what she had been sitting on.

’That was... surprisingly impressive.’

She immediately moved away from Luca and settled beside him instead.

Her head remained lowered, and her cheeks were bright red.

If she hadn’t noticed Luca secretly staring at her feet the previous night, she would never have dared to act so boldly.

Even so, taking the initiative had left her deeply embarrassed.

"Was that fun?"

Luca let out a relieved breath as the pressure finally disappeared.

Rachel mistook his expression for anger and quickly shook her head.

She remained silent, her lips pressed into a small pout.

"Luca, I was wrong..."

Her eyes shimmered with embarrassment, and her voice became pitiful.

’Did I misunderstand what happened last night?’

’Or does Luca only treat me this way because I resemble Sophie?’

Luca looked at her for a moment before speaking.

"Since you know you were wrong, why don’t you stretch out your foot and let me play with it?"

"Ah?"

"What do you mean, ’ah’? Hurry up."

Rachel turned her face away, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

Still, the corners of Luca’s lips continued to rise.

A strange tingling sensation spread from the soles of her feet, making her heart flutter.

"Why does it smell like milk?"

"I don’t know."

Rachel shook her head, her cheeks growing even warmer.

’Luca, how am I supposed to know the answer to something like that?’

"You really don’t know?"

"I really don’t."

"Then come closer. Let me find out where the milky scent is coming from."

Rachel hesitated, her face still burning. She shifted closer on the bed until her knees brushed his thigh, keeping her eyes fixed on the sheets.

Luca rested a hand lightly against her waist. He leaned in, slow and unhurried, until his breath warmed the side of her neck.

"Here," he murmured.

His nose brushed just below her collarbone. A soft, milky scent lingered there. He drew back only far enough to meet her lowered gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Definitely milky."

Rachel’s fingers curled around his sleeve. "Luca..."

Before she could finish, he closed the small distance between them and kissed her.

The kiss was gentle at first... warm, unhurried, almost careful. Rachel’s breath caught. Her free hand hovered uselessly in the air before settling against his shoulder. Luca’s hand at her waist tightened just slightly, steadying her as he deepened the kiss a fraction.

While their lips remained together, his other hand rose and pressed lightly against the soft curve of her breast through the thin fabric of her sleep shirt. The touch was brief, deliberate, and gone almost as soon as it registered. Rachel made a small, startled sound against his mouth.

Luca eased back, still close enough that their noses nearly touched. His eyes held a quiet amusement.

"You’re fuller than Sophie," he said softly.

Rachel’s cheeks flared hotter. She could only stare at the sheets again, too flustered to reply.

Without another word, Luca’s free hand found her ankle. He guided her foot back onto his lap and resumed the same unhurried rhythm as before, thumb tracing the sensitive arch.

She bit her lip and turned her face further away. Luca chuckled under his breath, the sound low and private.

"Better," he murmured. "Stay like this a little longer."

Rachel remained where she was, cheeks scarlet, her foot resting obediently in his lap as morning light filtered through the curtains. She could not bring herself to move. Luca, meanwhile, seemed perfectly content to keep her exactly there.

...

Breakfast

At the small square table, Trish kept glancing at Rachel.

Something was clearly wrong.

"Rachel, something’s not right."

She cut off a piece of pancake with her fork, took a bite, and studied her friend carefully.

"Are you sure you aren’t feeling sick?"

Rachel lowered her eyes.

"Hmm?"

Trish frowned.

"I’m serious. Something is definitely wrong with you."

She had woken up early that morning and discovered that Rachel, who had been sleeping beside her, had an unusually red face.

Even now, the blush hadn’t faded.

If anything, Rachel looked even more flushed.

"No, I’m fine."

Rachel closed her eyes and slightly furrowed her brows, as though she were trying to endure something.

"Uh-huh..."

The moment she finished speaking, a soft sound escaped her nose.

Trish immediately became more worried.

"Rachel! You said you were fine, but you have to tell me if something is wrong."

She was genuinely concerned.

Rachel had taken care of her the same way whenever she had been sick.

Seeing Trish’s worried expression, Rachel gritted her teeth.

"I just have a slight stomachache. I think my period might be coming soon."

"Already?"

Trish knew Rachel’s usual schedule, but it wasn’t always exact.

After hearing the explanation, she finally relaxed.

"As long as you’re not sick, that’s fine."

She leaned closer.

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

Rachel shook her head.

"I’m just not used to it yet."

"That’s good, then."

Once Trish stopped asking questions, Rachel quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then she turned toward Luca with a deeply wronged expression.

There was a reason for it.

Her foot was resting on Luca’s thigh, and it was unbearably itchy.

’How can he eat so calmly while secretly playing with my feet?’

What made it worse was that his technique had clearly improved since the previous night.

It felt so pleasant that she almost couldn’t stand it.

"Bro, these pancakes are delicious!"

Trish cut another piece and happily placed it in her mouth.

Luca picked up his fork and tried some as well.

"They are. The edges are slightly crisp, but the inside is soft. The milk gives them a rich flavor."

"Yes! Milk-flavored pancakes are my favorite."

Trish turned toward Rachel.

"What do you think?"

"Um... I like them too."

Rachel genuinely enjoyed the pancakes.

However, for the first time, she only ate one before setting her fork down.

The sweet, milky flavor reminded her of what had happened that morning.

She still couldn’t tell whether Luca had done it deliberately or by accident.

Either way, the source of the milky scent he had discovered was far too embarrassing to think about.

Even now, recalling the scene made her face burn.

’But Luca said mine was fuller than Sophie’s.’

Rachel puffed out her cheeks.

’Hmph!’

She had always stubbornly refused to admit it whenever she compared herself with her older sister.

Now even Luca had confirmed it.

’I need to find a chance to show off to Sophie.’

---

The morning passed quickly.

After lunch, the three of them rested for a while.

Later, Sir Alfred arrived with seven or eight maids, who began preparing their hair and makeup.

"Do I need makeup too?"

Luca looked surprised.

Sir Alfred smiled politely.

"Only a little, sir. It will make you look more energetic and distinguished."

The butler was familiar with the etiquette surrounding banquets held by wealthy families.

Even if the event was informal, dressing appropriately was the least they could do to show respect.

And since Luca was attending as Arabella’s boyfriend, they had to be especially mindful of appearances.

When the three finally stepped outside, they looked at one another.

Trish’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Bro, you’re so handsome!"

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"Wasn’t I handsome before?"

"Of course you were, but you’re even more handsome now!"

Trish linked her arm through his and turned toward Rachel.

"Don’t you think so?"

Rachel glanced at Luca.

"Yeah. Handsome."

"Bro, don’t you think Rachel looks cuter?"

"Yes, yes. She looks great."

Luca reached over and ruffled Rachel’s hair.

At the same time, he lightly pinched her earlobe.

Rachel’s entire ear turned red.

All three of them had dressed up for the occasion, but their makeup remained light.

After all, they weren’t the main characters of the evening.

That honor belonged to Arabella Windsor.

"Sir, shall we depart?"

"Hmm."

Luca leaned forward and entered the car.

"Where are my things?"

"Don’t worry, sir. The gifts have already been placed inside."

"Then let’s go."

The car left the alley and merged into the busy streets, weaving between the city’s towering buildings.

After a while, Trish glanced at Rachel.

"Rachel, you haven’t even touched your phone."

Rachel usually spent car rides playing games.

Even when she wasn’t playing, she would watch gaming videos.

Rachel quietly placed a hand over the one resting on her waist.

"Cough... I’m not feeling well today, so I don’t want to play."

Luca pretended not to notice and continued chatting with Trish.

Just then, his phone rang.

"Luca, don’t be late."

As expected, it was Arabella.

"We’re already on our way," Luca replied with a smile.

"Okay. I’ll wait for you."

This was Luca’s first time attending Arabella’s birthday party.

It was also the first time he would meet her mother.

Naturally, Arabella didn’t want anything to go wrong.

"Was that Luca?"

Mrs. Windsor, dressed in an elegant cheongsam, approached her daughter.

Although Arabella was usually reserved, the subtle changes in her expression made her happiness obvious.

She nodded.

"Mm."

Despite her calm appearance, she was actually a little nervous.

It was the first time someone she liked had attended her birthday party.