Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 164

“Huh?”

Koi unconsciously blinked and repeated the question. Ashley’s gaze, looking at him, seemed different from before. A thought that he somehow looked angry suddenly crossed his mind, but Koi immediately dismissed it. There’s no reason for Ash to be angry.

“Koi.”

“Yes?”

At the sound of his name, Koi quickly looked up. Ashley, facing Koi, still commanded in a cool voice.

“Explain in detail, one by one, what you mean by ‘clinging.'”

“Uh… yeah.”

Koi nodded with a nervous expression and recounted his memories bit by bit. While listening to Koi’s words, Ashley remained motionless, listening with a chillingly cold expression. He reacted only when Koi reached the part where the last employee who was fired tried to kiss him but failed.

“He kissed you? Him?”

“No, he failed. I dodged it…”

As he repeated what he had said earlier, Ashley closed his mouth again. Koi was inwardly nervous at his thoughtful reaction, waiting for him to speak. Ashley, who had sighed, “Haaah,” finally opened his mouth, his brow furrowed.

“What exactly was that scent? Did you hear anything about it?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Koi nodded and cautiously began to talk about the potted plant he had been raising.

“I couldn’t even take the subway or go anywhere, so I gave that flower to Ariel. After that, I was fine.”

“…The flower scent lasted all day?”

Koi felt unfairly treated by his disbelieving reaction. He stated his innocence with a serious expression.

“Really. After I gave the potted plant to Ariel, I was fine.”

He still didn’t understand, but Koi truly believed it. Ashley rubbed his brow and mumbled to himself.

“What did the scent even smell like…”

Koi thought he wouldn’t be much help since he couldn’t smell it, but Koi answered as if he had been waiting.

“A staff member told me before. They said it smelled like flowers and also like grass, and it was very pleasant, making them feel at ease.”

Ashley’s hand, which had been rubbing his brow, stopped. He froze in that position, not even blinking, and recalled a thought.

That can’t be, Koi is a Beta.

It’s impossible, Ashley immediately denied. If Koi was going to manifest, he would have done so long ago. He hadn’t manifested even when they were together amidst such strong pheromones when Ashley manifested, so it made no sense for him to mutate now.

However, all the characteristics Koi mentioned perfectly matched Omega pheromones. The reactions of the people working in the same office also supported this. What else could explain this situation?

But if so, why was there no scent from Koi now?

If Koi had manifested, he wouldn’t have been able to hide his pheromones. Was he perhaps taking suppressants? No way, Koi?

“Ash?”

Suddenly, Koi called his name. Ashley, startled, came to his senses, took his hand from his brow, and gazed at Koi. Koi’s face, looking at him with an anxious expression, was utterly innocent.

No, Koi can’t hide anything or lie. I would have noticed right away.

Ashley immediately denied it. But what if he really did mutate?

Why suddenly?

“…Alright, I understand for now. I’ll handle it.”

Ashley said quietly, then quickly changed the subject.

“Are you done eating? Shall we go?”

“Oh? Ah, yeah.”

Koi, who had unconsciously nodded, inwardly regretted the remaining food. If I packed this, I could eat for two days…

But Ashley had already paid the bill and gotten up from his seat. Unable to bring himself to say he wanted to pack it, Koi followed him out of the restaurant.

“Um, today… thank you.”

Koi thanked Ashley’s back. Ashley, who had gone out first, turned to look at him. Koi, unable to hide his embarrassment, kept his gaze down and continued.

“For consulting me like this, and even for the meal…”

Koi kept saying something. But not a single word reached Ashley’s ears. Only Koi’s constantly moving lips, the cool breeze caressing his cheeks, and his long fingers awkwardly running through his hair filled his vision.

What if.

He felt as if the sound of him swallowing dryly echoed in his ears, and his body moved on its own.

“…Ah!”

Suddenly, Ashley grabbed Koi’s arm and pulled him. Startled, Koi was unwittingly pulled into his embrace. Ashley’s large body completely enveloped Koi. A thick, sweet pheromone poured over him like a waterfall.

What if you really became an Omega…

Strong arms tightened around his body, making it hard for Koi to breathe. But that pressure rather brought a sense of relief, and he closed his eyes, carefully embracing Ashley back. Ashley tilted his head, rubbed his nose against Koi’s earlobe, then buried his nose in his hair and neck, inhaling repeatedly. Large, deep breaths echoed in his ears. Koi felt like his heart would burst and tightly gripped Ashley’s body, which he was embracing.

There’s no scent.

Ashley, who had embraced him like that for a long time, pouring out pheromones, reluctantly admitted.

There’s no scent at all.

As he slowly released the strength from the arms that had held Koi, a feeling of emptiness followed.

What was I even expecting?

“…Ash?”

Koi cautiously called his name. Ashley, finally looking down at Koi’s face, silently stared at him for a moment.

Koi had no idea what was happening. Even after so many pheromones were poured out, Koi didn’t know. He wasn’t affected at all. Ashley once again keenly felt the same feeling he had experienced over a decade ago. Then, with an unbearable impulse, Ashley hugged Koi tightly again.

Koi, who had also lowered his arms from Ashley’s body, was unwittingly drawn into his embrace again. He just blinked, not knowing what to do, and Ashley held him without moving, holding his breath.

Ash…?

Koi was flustered, not knowing what his reaction meant, but the moment wasn’t long. Just as he finally mustered the courage to hesitantly reach his hand to Ashley’s back, Ashley released his arms and let go of Koi.

“…Let’s go now.”

Leaving Koi, who wore a bewildered expression at the sudden emptiness, Ashley turned away. Koi stared at his back for a while, then hastily ran after him.