In general, Jack Wilson was a remarkably easygoing young man.

Kristen Brown had been correcting Jack Wilson's mistakes—an endeavor she was well-prepared for, having spent her university years tutoring high school students across all subjects. She had even brushed up on her problem-solving skills over the past month in preparation for this.

Watching him quietly work through his assignments, she marveled at his focus. The unruly kids she used to encounter couldn't sit still for three minutes, let alone sit down to do homework. But Jack Wilson was different. He rose early every day to swim, did his assignments without fuss, and then relaxed with a pair of headphones and a game, as aloof as a Persian cat from a friend's house.

Kristen felt relieved, as she had initially prepared herself for the challenge of managing Jack. Yet, following an unexpected green tea cake incident, things had turned out better than anticipated. Providence, it seemed, was on her side.

“Fancy some barbecue tonight?” Kristen put down her pen and asked.

Jack, despite his headphones being muted, looked up, removed them, and frowned with apparent annoyance. “What’s your angle this time?”

“Oh, don’t be like that,” Kristen said with a smile, maintaining her composure. “We’ve been cooped up for three days. Let's get out for a bit. My treat.”

“Well, alright then,” Jack agreed, albeit reluctantly.

“We’ll leave at eight,” Kristen said, stretching as she stood. “If you plan to have dinner, order something from the hotel. I’ll skip it.”

“You’re not eating?” Jack frowned even more and asked.

Kristen shook her head with a laugh, “Unlike you, I can’t eat as much without gaining weight.”

“I’m off for a swim. Check over your mistakes again,” she said, strolling leisurely towards the backdoor, which opened directly onto the swimming pool.

Jack followed her with his eyes as she unbuttoned her outer garment, revealing her swimsuit beneath.

A swimsuit?! Jack’s eyes widened, and his grip on the pen threatened to snap it in two.

Her swimsuit was a two-piece ensemble with a short skirt and layered decorations, not revealing at all. 

However, to a distracted Jack Wilson, it was a different story. He saw a slender waist, long legs, a smooth back, and delicate, fair skin.

The avocado-green suit, dotted with tiny white flowers, accentuated her luminous skin, making it glow like priceless jade.

Kristen finished her stretches and dove into the pool.

Jack’s gaze lingered on her casually discarded outerwear on the sofa—stretchy, white, knee-length fabric that, until moments ago, hadn’t struck him as overly warm.

He realized with a jolt that while she was teaching him only thin swimwear lay beneath her knit cover-up...

Her skirt barely covered the tops of her thighs, her cleavage starkly outlined.

A blush crept up Jack’s ears, spreading across his chest as the realization hit. Worse yet, he was painfully aware of his own reaction.

His exercise shorts rose in an unbidden tent toward the sofa, where her garment lay.

No, he couldn’t touch it.

His fragment of reason warned him.

She could return any second.

Flushed, he bolted for his room.

A cool shower cascaded down from the waterfall showerhead but couldn’t cool the heat that enveloped him.

He was like a volcano ready to erupt, unable to quench his parched throat or find release.

With trembling hands, he grasped his arousal again.

His imagination galloped ahead, transforming ordinary sights, sounds, and actions into libidinous fantasies.

Every night under the same roof was the same— 

Buried desire surged from within at last.

A fragile dam burst, letting the floodwaters roar down.

Since puberty’s onset, previously still emotions couldn't be stilled any longer.

Eyes closed, he stifled his breathing and moans deep in his throat, replaying everything he saw, smelled, touched.

The fragments of greed swirled and formed a complete vision—a fantasy to fulfill his needs.

Her waist was so slender, so graspable, fitting perfectly wrapped in his embrace.

Soft, round breasts would press against his chest or fit entirely within his hand.

He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to enter her.

Jumbled thoughts looped endlessly until they reached their peak.

Everything cleaned away, the metallic-sweet scent clinging hunted his senses.

Bracing his hands against the sink, face impassive, Jack Wilson assessed his reflection.

Desire defied reason, and attimes he wondered—why did it have to be her?

But that was the reality.

And he couldn’t hate the feeling, secretly delighted.

—Better her than anyone else.

She was different.

“Knock, knock.”

A rapping on the door pulled him back.

“What?” Jack barked, feigning aggression.

“Time to head out.”

Her voice was muffled by the door.

“I’ll leave your papers here. Don’t forget them on your way out.”

“I won’t,” said Jack, toweling the moisture from his skin. “Don’t worry, I’ll make it on time.”

Kristen’s retreating footsteps inspired Jack to pay heed to his hammering heart.

One step at a time. Let’s take it slow.

Jack Wilson tidied up and waited a while before Kristen emerged from her room.

She wore a gray-blue, form-fitting camisole with a high slit denim skirt, topped with a knee-length sheer cover-up. Her hair was bound with a simple claw clip, loose strands adding allure.

Jack waged a silent battle to keep his gaze from fixating on her generous curves.

“You’re going out like that?”

Her enticing undulation irked Jack.

Kristen raised her eyebrows, surprised. “It’s comfortable attire. You’re a bit prudish for someone born post-2000, aren’t you?”

“Hmph.” Jack glowered fiercely. “I know men better. A pack of beasts acting on base urges.”

“You’re including yourself there,” Kristen chuckled. “Not to worry—I have you to protect me, don’t I, young master?”

Her tone softened into honey, tugging gently at his heartstrings.

Jack’s heart dared to leap from his chest, blood surging to his ears.

“...Don’t tug!” Jack sounded like a prickly cat, stepping back, flustered. “Let’s go.”

Oh, such a tsundere.

It took all of Kristen’s will to suppress laughter, lest it cause Jack to explode.

Being around a kid was endlessly entertaining.

Entering the corridor, Jack’s action indicated he’d protect her, but he averted his gaze, staring stubbornly at nothing.

Grinning, Kristen expressed her gratitude.

He had the looks, body, and a fixable personality—a genuinely good kid.

Which lucky girl would claim him?

In time, Kristen did.

And Jack practically glued himself to her.

Tomorrow’s a holiday bonus chapter, wish you all a joyous New Year!