Pillowside Passion - Chapter 15

15:

Leaving the restaurant, Du Qingting’s lips didn’t stop moving.

Slightly tipsy from a bit of wine, she clung to You Jin’s slender waist while grinding against her repeatedly, pleading to sleep together.

You Jin neither agreed nor refused, staying silent. At the hotel, she swiped her room card to enter, with Du Qingting sneakily trailing behind.

When You Jin didn’t speak, Du Qingting boldly kissed her. “Are you gonna come to my room or not?”

You Jin, exasperated, said, “A boundary isn’t so easily crossed.” She glanced at her, eyes soft and lingering, as if saying, But you might be an exception.

Du Qingting took the bait. She inhaled deeply, savoring the word “boundary.” Pinning You Jin against the door, she looked down and said, “But my boundary seems to have been crossed long ago.”

She crouched slightly, her forehead tapping You Jin’s shoulder. “Remember last time?”

“What?” You Jin raised an eyebrow lightly.

“I said I had a fear of dogs…” Du Qingting lowered her head, her fingers finding the spot where You Jin had bitten her. “My fear’s almost gone. You’re not allowed to have one either.”

With that, she pinched You Jin lightly.

It was the same spot You Jin had bitten her, but Du Qingting’s pinch was bolder, almost vengeful, repeating it over and over.

“Can we sleep together?” she asked again.

You Jin grabbed her hair, flicking her forehead, her eyes narrowing behind her glasses. “Almost there.”

Du Qingting tilted her head. “Here?”

You Jin was pinned against the door, unable to move.

“Come to my room… It’s not yours. Sleep on my pillow, not yours. What’s there to fear?”

You Jin brushed her bangs aside, revealing her full face. “Does that mean I’m sleeping with you?”

Du Qingting bit her lip.

This woman always hits her weak spots, but…

You Jin’s fingers stopped playing with her hair, instead guiding Du Qingting’s hand to the other side. “I’m not afraid of puppies. Bite me symmetrically, it’ll look better.”

Du Qingting’s breath deepened.

“Crouch down.”

She could tell she was making You Jin’s legs weak. The moment You Jin closed her eyes, she must have been thinking, She’s someone I could sleep with.

You Jin’s lashes fluttered. She straightened, saying, “There’s a way, girlfriend.”

You Jin looked at her, seemingly at a loss.

She thought seriously, her firm stance softening. “Sleeping with you is fine, but what do you call me in bed?”

“Big sister, isn’t that okay?”

“That’s too personal, like my boundary’s a joke…” She lowered her eyes, her ears softening as if struggling internally. “If that doesn’t work, call me ‘You Jin.’ Say, ‘You Jin, sleep with me,’ and maybe I can play along.”

Du Qingting’s smile froze slightly. “Why ‘You Jin’?” She hissed, provoked by the name, kissing her with extra force. The woman trapped by her clearly couldn’t handle it.

You Jin dodged her lips, her hair slightly mussed, squinting. “I told you from the start, I’m a weird one, especially with my preferences… I asked if you could handle it.”

Du Qingting opened her mouth.

It was hard to admit.

“Didn’t you say we were a perfect match?”

That was then. Du Qingting’s boundaries had been teetering on the edge. Calling her “You Jin” now felt… too intense.

You Jin seemed embarrassed. “There’s got to be an excuse to cross a boundary, right? Growing up, I always thought the pillow was for a lover. Then I met you…”

Du Qingting felt uneasy, her heart itching, like she’d been hooked. This woman was fishing and enchanting her. She tugged at You Jin’s pants drawstring, her cargo pants. One pull, and it came loose.

“You’ve never slept with anyone else?”

You Jin had always talked about “first kiss” and “first love.” This was the first time she spoke so softly in Du Qingting’s ear, almost shyly. “Yeah, letting someone sleep beside me—it’s my first time. You’re the first…”

Du Qingting’s eyes widened. She reached to pinch her, only catching her shirt hem. You Jin brushed her fingers away, saying she was going to the bathroom to freshen up.

You Jin turned on the living room light, banishing the darkness. Du Qingting saw clearly—You Jin in her T-shirt and cargo pants, even more enchanting under the light.

This woman definitely felt something for her, yet clung to her boundaries. But she let only Du Qingting see the cracks, like setting a trap for her to fall into. So enchanting…

Could a shower really douse this fire?

Du Qingting didn’t think so.

She felt like she was losing it.

—

It was 11 p.m., and they returned exhausted.

This woman sometimes indulged her, letting her kiss freely, but kept clear boundaries, like loosening a leash without removing the choker.

“It’s not there yet. My boundary isn’t that easy to cross.”

What did it take to get there?

Honestly, Du Qingting felt unwilling.

She really wanted to sleep with her…

Maybe it was the wine at dinner, but her mind stayed buzzing, convinced she’d regret not sleeping with her.

Thinking back, it was embarrassing, but she’d already lost face. Might as well lean into You Jin’s preferences and call her… You Jin.

But, but—her mom’s deal. Wouldn’t this mean she and You Jin were… Her boundaries, where were they?

The typhoon had fully stopped, and Xianghai returned to tourist mode in just a day. Du Qingting woke early, still groggy, plagued by chaotic dreams. She lay back, staring at her phone screen for a long time, mentally preparing to be chewed out by her mom.

Miraculously, after last night’s call, the morning was calm. Worried her mom might come to drag her back, Du Qingting texted her sister to gauge the situation, asking about their mom’s mood.

Du Nuanzhi: [So-so. She went to the temple to burn incense this morning.]

Du Qingting: [Since when is she superstitious?]

Du Nuanzhi: [Mom said praying to gods beats praying to you. She went to the Matchmaker God early. Apparently, Sister You called and suggested it. She’s with Aunt You, staying there for a bit, bathing and burning incense.]

“What?” Du Qingting was dumbfounded. You Jin invited her mom to burn incense and pray, even staying there for a while?

So ascetic?

It sounded like something You Jin would do, that woman was absurdly traditional.

Here was a paradise of desire; there, a world of restraint and detachment.

Du Qingting: [Not a good match, not a good match.]

Du Nuanzhi: [She’s not becoming a nun, just praying at the temple.]

“Praying to the Matchmaker God.” Du Qingting mulled it over. “I prayed yesterday too.”

She figured her mom’s prayers wouldn’t come true, she’d already tied the red thread to this woman yesterday.

Du Qingting texted her sister, drafting and deleting, finally sending: [If I said I had a partner, would you believe me?]

Du Nuanzhi: [Mom wouldn’t.]

Du Qingting: [I really have one.]

Du Nuanzhi: [A fling? Or did you hire someone?]

It was kind of a fling.

Du Qingting scrolled through her albums. She had solo shots of You Jin but no couple photos. [She’s a beauty.]

Du Nuanzhi: [Be careful she doesn’t steal your kidney. Don’t go abroad if she asks, lots of people get scammed there.]

Du Nuanzhi: [Forwarded news: Three village guys went to Myanmar, came back with half a kidney each…]

Du Nuanzhi: [Forwarded scam alert: Guy in X region fell for an online beauty, thought he got insider info, lost 3 million and a vital organ overnight…]

Du Qingting exited the chat.

If it was about kidneys, fine—she wasn’t even allowed to sleep with her, so what use was a kidney? Frustrating.

But her sister had a point. This woman was too mysterious, her details unknowable. Could she really be a scammer… But she’d chartered a yacht for her and didn’t play cards, probably not.

After washing up, Du Qingting’s frustration lingered. She went to the next room, swiping her room card to open the door. You Jin, back to her, was on the phone.

In a white shirt, phone on the counter, she fastened black diamond cufflinks to her sleeves, leaning against the bar, chatting.

“Have Xu Yang send the documents up. I won’t be leaving the island for now. I’ll make time to review the contract this afternoon.”

Su Qinxi: “Hey, let me come too.”

“What for?” You Jin checked her sleeves.

“Why can’t I come?”

You Jin heard a sound and turned to see Du Qingting, who said nothing, walking over to grab her waist. You Jin’s brows furrowed, and before she could react, Du Qingting lifted her onto the counter.

You Jin touched her arm, feeling its strength.

Du Qingting, holding back a burst of energy, wanted to lose it. She tugged You Jin’s collar forward, wanting to kiss her.

“Let’s see how sincere Long Qian is. We’ve got the funds, so we’re in charge. You’re patient, wearing them down until they’re too scared to move, constantly probing me. These past two days, they’re practically calling me emperor.”

Her lips grazed You Jin’s neck, warm.

Su Qinxi laughed on the phone. “I’m coming to the island to see how far you’ve gotten.” She chuckled, then stopped, lowering her voice curiously. “She still doesn’t know who you are?”

You Jin looked down at the woman kissing her intently, her hand braced on the counter, brushing the phone, making a sound.

Did she know?

It hurt from the bite.

“So… how’s it going with you two?” Su Qinxi’s gossip flared. “What stage are you at?”

You Jin squinted, her hand resting on Du Qingting’s head, breathing heavily. “Pretty good… mm.”

“Holy—!” Su Qinxi got it instantly, so shocked she nearly dropped her phone. What? It was fine just a second ago!

Du Qingting paused, nuzzling her neck. You Jin held her waist, pinched her chin, and, seeing her off mood, said to the stunned Su Qinxi, “Anything else? If not, I’m hanging up to comfort my girlfriend.”

Su Qinxi, still listening, was glad her coffee was too hot to drink, or she’d have choked. Girlfriend, huh?

You Jin ended the call, patting Du Qingting’s head, meeting her half-awake eyes. “Didn’t sleep well? Or is something wrong? Tell me.”

Du Qingting let out a muffled hum, quickly kissing her to silence her. You Jin didn’t resist, hands braced on the counter, letting her nibble. After a fierce minute, Du Qingting panted, “That’s a proper morning kiss… Honestly, sleeping together has benefits, right?”

“The benefits are yours.” You Jin sat on the counter, eyes locked on her, fingers brushing her lips, pressing into them to check her teeth. “Why are you biting me first thing in the morning?”

Du Qingting said, “I thought about you all night. What do you think?” She nipped You Jin’s finger, who didn’t mind the pain.

You Jin just smiled. Du Qingting could tell she was busy, but this woman prioritized her over work, making Du Qingting act spoiled, indulging in her affection.

You Jin pulled her hand back, pinching her chin. “The second day of love.”

Du Qingting’s grip tightened, knuckles pressing into the counter. You Jin wasn’t done—she undid a button at her collar, her fingertip grazing her slightly raised collarbone, then hugged the back of her neck, whispering, “The next day’s appetizers, please enjoy.”

Appetizers, please enjoy.

Du Qingting looked up at the glasses on her nose, then at her phone’s blinking notification light. “Work… am I interrupting?”

You Jin turned off her phone and tossed it aside, offering herself to Du Qingting’s lips, her tone softer as she coaxed, “No interruptions now. Dig in.”