Lick Me Up If You Can Novel (Completed) - Chapter 194

“M-marriage?”

Ariel repeated the word loudly. Koi, though embarrassed, nodded firmly, “Yes.”

“We like each other, don’t we? We’ve confirmed our feelings, so the next step is naturally marriage. I’m a Beta, but there’s no law that says an Alpha can’t marry a Beta.”

Koi’s resolve was unshaken. Ariel, completely caught off guard by the situation, couldn’t think straight.

“Just because you like each other doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get married, Koi.”

To Ariel, who could only say that much, Koi replied without wavering.

“I know. But we’re going to get married.”

He added in a tone stronger than usual. Koi’s assertiveness momentarily made Ariel flinch.

Koi had that much confidence.

Ariel blinked, dumbfounded. She felt both proud and a pang of pity at the same time. Of course, anger towards Ashley was also present. Clenching her fist tightly under the table until her knuckles popped, Ariel counted to herself while looking at Koi’s happy face. Fortunately, her reason returned before she reached 1,000.

I can’t ruin Koi’s happiness.

What she would say about Ashley now would only be for her own satisfaction. If she exposed his past, Koi would surely be hurt. The thought of Ashley getting his comeuppance was satisfying, but what meaning would it have if Koi suffered as a result?

But she couldn’t just leave things as they were either. At the very least, she had to stop the proposal. If Ashley really did betray Koi, Koi would feel a self-reproach several times worse. Ariel swallowed her rising anger and spoke, feigning nonchalance.

“I understand what you mean. But wouldn’t it be better to postpone the proposal?”

“Why?”

To his expected question, Ariel calmly persuaded him.

“You were the one who confessed first, right? Then you took away Ashley’s chance to confess. How about letting him have the opportunity to propose?”

“Oh…”

Koi blinked. Ariel, seeing his hesitation, added in a gentle tone.

“Ashley might be preparing to propose to you, you know. He said he liked you too, didn’t he? If he said you were the only one for his whole life, then of course he’d want to get married, right? You two must feel the same way.”

It made sense. Koi had already completely fallen for her words. Ariel asked again with conviction.

“Then let him propose. If you propose after he couldn’t even confess, he’ll be very disappointed. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, isn’t it?”

She didn’t even need to pray inwardly for him to agree. Seeing Koi’s face immediately show understanding, Ariel relaxed her shoulders and genuinely smiled. Koi also smiled back and said.

“Thank you, Al. I didn’t think of that.”

“It happens, it’s nothing. It’s a good thing you told me before buying the ring, right?”

Ariel said softly, taking Koi’s hand over the table. Koi nodded.

“Um, I still think I should get a part-time job.”

Koi continued, looking awkward.

“I can’t just live off Ash forever… I need to contribute some money too. Not much, but…”

“How about saving that money and then buying him a gift after he proposes to you?”

Ariel quickly offered an idea.

“Anyway, it’ll be pocket change for Ash, and it won’t help much with the rent. Wouldn’t it be better to save that money and buy a gift instead? As a trade-off for letting Ashley have the chance to propose.”

“Ah…”

Koi’s eyes sparkled brightly. He genuinely admired her and said with a radiant face.

“Al, you’re really smart. That’s a really good idea. I should do that. Thank you.”

“Right?”

I’m quite quick-witted.

Ariel admired her quick thinking and felt a little smug. Koi’s respectful gaze, looking at her, further boosted her confidence.

“Then it’s settled. You’re just starting to look for a part-time job now, right? You haven’t looked yet?”

When Ariel asked, Koi nodded, “Yes.”

“I think I’ve gotten too used to playing around. I’ve never rested this long…”

Seeing Koi’s face flush as he looked down at his teacup, Ariel asked again.

“Ash doesn’t say anything, does he?”

“Uh, but I can’t just keep playing around.”

It was a natural thought for Koi, but Ashley’s opinion might be different. Ariel thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Then what do you do all day?”

It felt strange that she was only thinking about this now. Of course, resting was good, but Ariel somehow felt there was another reason. As expected, Koi was momentarily flustered and began to stammer.

“Well, um… when I wake up, it’s almost lunchtime… and after calling for cleaning and eating, the afternoon just flies by. I just kind of… order dinner… and when Ash comes… so…”

Koi’s face flushed hot. Unable to bear his transparent reaction, Ariel finished his sentence for him.

“Does Ash have sex as soon as he gets home? Without even eating dinner?”

Seeing Koi’s wide-eyed, flustered expression, Ariel clicked her tongue. What kind of beast is he?

Ariel stared at Koi with a frown. Even for an Extreme Alpha, would he go that far? She didn’t remember him being like that before.

It had been a long time, so she didn’t remember clearly, but Ashley had been just a normal guy his age, not the type to be so overtly sexual. She couldn’t imagine him rushing at Koi like that as soon as he got home from work.

However, if she considered cases other than Ashley, such situations did exist. Ariel frowned, recalling the cases of a few friends.

Are they in their honeymoon phase or something? What am I even saying?

It was the kind of thing that would happen only to a newly married couple, but Koi’s flushed, embarrassed, flustered appearance was undeniable reality. Ariel sighed and spoke.

“You’re both adults, so it’s a matter for you two to figure out, but you’re a Beta. You shouldn’t get swept away by him like that; you need to think about your body.”

That was the extent of the advice Ariel could give. She couldn’t stop him every step of the way, nor should she. After all, it was between the two of them.

“And always use condoms. He’s an Extreme Alpha, but you’re not. You’ll get sick.”

It’s okay, Ash only does it with me. He said he’s always loved only me.

Koi thought, but he saw no need to deny Ariel’s words, who was worried about him.

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll do that.”

Ariel stared at Koi, who nodded and said that, then said, “Okay,” and leaned back on the table, crossing her arms.

“Koi.”

“Yeah.”

Koi answered, secretly tense at the somehow serious call, then looked directly into Koi’s eyes and spoke.

“Never forget that I’m always on your side.”

She continued in a calm voice.

“No matter what happens, I’ll support you. If anything difficult or painful happens, please tell me.”

“Understood?” she added, as if confirming. Koi couldn’t answer immediately. A lump rose in his chest, making it difficult to speak.

“Yeah.”

Koi barely nodded, then took a deep breath and added in a firm tone.

“I won’t forget. Um, me too. I’m always on your side. You too, if anything difficult happens, please tell me, definitely.”

“Okay.”

Ariel smiled and held out her pinky finger. He hadn’t done it since high school, but Koi also smiled and linked his pinky with hers.

“You promised.”

“You promised too.”

After confirming they would be strong supporters for each other, they unlinked their fingers.

“Welcome, Mr. Niles.”

The doorman opened the door and greeted him. Koi felt somewhat embarrassed by the way he was greeted as if he were a resident here, so he returned a small greeting and quickly walked away.

Huh?

He was about to get on the elevator when he unconsciously paused, seeing that it was stopped on the top floor. It seemed Ashley had already returned. As soon as he checked the clock hanging in the entrance, he let out a gasp of “Oh no!” He had spent too much time with Ariel for the first time in a while. Thinking of Ashley, who would have returned at the usual time, made his heart race.

Koi frantically took the elevator up, and as soon as the door opened, he stepped out and flinched. Ashley was standing beyond the inner door, looking at him.