MTL NOVEL Chapter 64: Witch
Sil hoisted another heavy piece of roofing debris, his muscles flexing under the damp sheen of sweat that clung to his skin. He paused, wiping his brow yet again, irritated more by Bliss's sudden presence than by the manual labor itself. He gave her a sidelong glance, groaning under his breath as she effortlessly lifted a board onto her shoulder, her short skirt fluttering dangerously high with each movement.
Sil walked over to a large boulder near the building where a pack had been placed along with a large bottle of water. He unzipped the pack and retrieved something from inside. As he turned around he slid a plain white t-shirt over his head. A flustered expression clearly painted on his face as he returned to his task.
Bliss caught his look, her lips twisting into a knowing smirk. "Something wrong, Sil?"
His jaw tightened. It didn't help that her skirt was impractically short, her slender legs toned from athletic prowess. Her cropped halter top hugged every curve, baring of course, her smooth shoulders and a slim midriff that drew his eyes downward despite his best efforts. He forced his gaze away, feeling heat pulse through his veins.
"Since when does a Celestial stoop to menial chores?" Sil asked tersely, gripping another plank with more force than necessary.
"Since when does Sil Blade allow himself to be so affected by one?" she countered lightly, eyes gleaming playfully.
He scoffed, but the surprise was clear on his face, his disbelief barely hidden behind irritation. She ignored the skepticism in his eyes. He hesitated, breath caught momentarily in his throat, before nodding grudgingly. "Thanks," he mumbled, forcing himself to remain unaffected as she brushed past him, the subtle scent of her skin momentarily dizzying.
They worked quietly, muscles tensed and breaths shallow, moving together like opposing magnets—compelled to be close but repulsed by their mutual distaste. Yet every accidental touch or near-brush sent electric sparks crackling between them. Sil found himself increasingly aware of Bliss's every movement, her lean frame poised and provocative beneath the scant clothing that seemed intentionally chosen to torture him.
"Never thought I'd see you doing manual labor," Sil commented dryly, eyeing her suspiciously as she easily moved a large fractured branch aside.
Bliss laughed lightly, the sound annoyingly melodious to his ears. "Can't let you have all the fun," she quipped. "Besides, I enjoy getting my hands dirty... sometimes."
The double entendre hung thickly in the air, and Sil coughed to mask his reaction. "Yeah," he drawled sarcastically, meeting her challenging gaze, "clearly."
Bliss straightened, inserting more exagerated stretching, fully aware of the way his eyes lingered over her body. She clicked her tongue behind her teeth. "Careful, Blade. You're starting to blush."
He quickly averted his eyes, clearing his throat roughly. "It's the sun," he lied smoothly.
Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Of course it is."
The tension between them simmered beneath the surface of their superficial exchange, each stolen glance a silent acknowledgment of an uncomfortable truth—that despite mutual antipathy, physical attraction flared like an unavoidable fire.
Finally, Bliss dusted her hands on her scanty skirt, cocking her hip slightly as she regarded him with playful scrutiny. "You keep glaring at me like you're trying to decide whether you want to kill me or kiss me."
Sil arched an eyebrow, smirking despite himself. Growing bored of the school aged back and forth they had been engaging in,he finally decided to lay his cards out on the table. "I think the real question is whether you're truly here just to speak to me or in an attempt to seduce me."
Bliss tilted her head thoughtfully, lips curving slyly upward. She shrugged, knowing that the jig was up. "Perhaps a bit of both. After all, who's to say we won't reach a mutually beneficial arrangement?"
His pulse quickened at the unspoken invitation, mind briefly consumed by another explicit vision of pressing her against the bark of a secluded tree, tasting the tantalizing sweetness lingering just beyond reach. He exhaled a shaky breath, slowly, trying to regain his composure. "No one ever accused Celestials of subtlety," he murmured.
"And no one ever accused you of resisting temptation," she shot back playfully, eyes locking with his in a challenge both understood. "You aren't very good at subtlety either, in case you wondered."
A charged silence hung between them, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the distance. Sil took a deep breath, feeling anticipation coil within his chest. Finally, he broke the silence, voice low and roughened. "Then perhaps we should finish up here, quickly." A new urgency lighting a fire in his pace.
They continued their careful dance, moving quietly in tandem as they cleared the debris. Sil's mind spiraled helplessly into less-than-professional daydreams, vivid fantasies of pinning Bliss against a tree deep in the woods, lifting her by those perfectly sculpted thighs—shaking himself sharply to clear the vision. She, sensing his turmoil, smirked knowingly, deliberately brushing past him again, fingers lingering a moment too long on his forearm.
"Is there... something else on your mind?" she murmured, eyes hooded, voice silkily suggestive.
He stared at her speechless, startled and flustered, his heart hammering traitorously. A cocky grin blossomed on his lips as he considered her implication. Feeling his resolve weaken, he decided to test the water. "You know, Bliss, I've got this itch that's been bothering me lately."
She tilted her head, amusement flickering across her face. "Hmm. I think that I might know exactly what you mean. Coincidentally, I have something of a similar situation myself."
Sil straightened, rolling his shoulders back as he met her gaze squarely. He paused for a moment, truly thinking it over before he said a word. What was a simple exercise in flirtation, had very suddenly revealed itself to be a very tangible proposition.
At least it had appeared as such to Sil. He wasn't even truly sure if this was a mess he wanted to willingly involve himself with. Unfortunately for poor Sil, who had done well to stave off the vicious mental attack of the vixen intruder, he never stood a chance.
That is what she was, a litteral sorceress. A spellcaster, with ancient knowledge, desceptive power, and the actual ability to peer into the future. Which was really cheating in this situation. She laid her web to trap the poor, thirsty man, and she wove her magic well.
She knew exactly how to play him. How to ensnare his mind and transfix his hormones- she showed skin. She showed a lot of skin. She walked in here with a scarf covering her nipples and and a loin cloth as far as he was concerned. Then she proceeded to brush against him, bend over slowly, drop dirty innuendo, and so much more.
Well played witch. Well played. She had intentionally tortured him, the entire afternoon with her games. So now, he figured he might as well give her what she asked for. If she wants to be used, well that would work for Sil just fine.