The Heart System

Chapter 116: Chapter 116

I plopped onto the couch, the cushions sinking under me, the living room dim with just the flicker of a streetlight sneaking through the blinds. Kim closed the door behind us, her red crop top crumpled from the day, her bag slung over her shoulder. The clock on the wall read nine, the hours at the amusement park—screaming on roller coasters, losing at rigged ring toss—leaving us wiped.

Kim looked lighter, though, her smile softer, despite Cora’s creepy vibe lingering like a bad aftertaste. I still couldn’t bring myself to ask if she was behind Karim’s shit—those carvings on his back, the kidnapping. The truth scared the hell out of me.

Kim sank onto the couch beside me, leaning back, her elbow on the armrest, her face propped on her palm, her hair spilling over her fingers.

”That was... good,” she said, her voice quiet.

”It was,” I said, nodding. ”We should do it again sometime.”

”Who was that girl, Cora?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. ”You bump into her a lot. The mall with us, now the amusement park.”

”Luck,” I said with a shrug, my stomach twisting. No way was I telling her I railed Cora in my room days ago. That shit stayed buried—nobody needed to know how unhinged she was.

Kim checked her phone, her face softening with that familiar look of hope—waiting for Tom to text, ’I’m back, I love you.’ I knew that look. I’d felt the same about Lily. Fucking sucked.

”It...” she started, exhaling, her gaze lingering on the screen before she pocketed it. ”Feels weird, Evan.”

”I know,” I said, my voice low.

She glanced at the wall, lost for a moment. ”I wonder who’ll move downstairs now,” she said. ”Hope they take care of the place. It’s decent.”

I nodded, staring at the wall, my thoughts drifting to Lily. I couldn’t blame her for leaving. After Julia, I knew relationships weren’t my thing, but I dove in anyway. Got nothing but grief. Should’ve trusted my gut.

╭────────────────────╮

Milestone Reached!

Partner: Delilah

==========================

Reward:

50 EXP

Mystery Chest

80c

╰────────────────────╯

The UI popped up, reminding me of Delilah’s milestone—20/20 interest, 50 EXP, a Mystery Chest, and 80 credits. Nice. I opened the chest, and another 50 credits dropped. Getting rich.

╭────────────────────╮

- Evan Marlowe (Lvl 6)

==========================

- Age: 21

- Height: 180 cm

- Weight: 73 kg

==========================

- EXP: [████████▒▒▒▒] 385/543

╰────────────────────╯

Kim stood, exhaling, and rummaged through her bag on the floor, her ass arching as she crouched—sexy as hell, but I stayed put. Sex was the last thing she needed. ”Shit... no charger,” she said, her voice tight. ”Most of my stuff’s gone. Dresses, shoes, fucking everything. Even my jacket.”

”They didn’t let you take them?” I asked, catching her frustrated expression.

She grabbed her bag, tossing it onto the couch, digging deeper. ”No. That bitch took everything.”

”It’s okay...” I said, opening the system shop and buying two $500 bundles, spending 100 credits. ”We’ll figure something out. Come on, sit here.”

╭────────────────────╮

- SHOP

==========================

• Aphrodisiac Drink (10c)

• Silk Lingerie Set (25c)

• Sensual Massage Oil (15c)

• Mystery Pleasure Toy (30c)

• Flirt Potion (20c)

• Hypnotic Perfume (40c)

• Time Stop (90c)

• 500 Dollars (50c)

• 1 Ability Point (150c)

==========================

- Credits: 250c

- Select item to purchase.

╰────────────────────╯

Kim glanced at the spot I patted, covered her face, exhaled, and sat. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close, her head resting on my chest. I kissed her temple gently. ”Tomorrow, let’s go shopping,” I said. ”Just you and me. Get you some stuff.”

”I can’t ask you to do that,” she said, her voice soft. ”Staying here’s enough. I’ll... find a job and—”

”You’re not finding a job till you’re over Tom,” I said, my voice sharper than intended, like some dumb internet alpha. ”Fuck, that sounded cringe.”

”Yeah, total alpha male,” she chuckled, looking up, our faces inches apart.

I leaned in, brushing my nose against hers, shaking my head playfully. ”Don’t make me unleash my alpha side, Kim. You don’t want it.”

”Shiver me timbers,” she teased, resting her head back on my chest.

╭───────────╮

EVENT

===============

Kim’s Interest +5

╰───────────╯

Then, she said those words.

”I’m glad I met you, Evan.”

╭───────────╮

WOMEN - INTERACTIONS

===============

Jasmine: Interest: 27 / 40★

Kayla: Interest: 5 / 20

Tessa: Interest: 20 / 40★

Kim: Interest: 15 / 20

Delilah: Interest: 20 / 20★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

===============

Progress:

★☆☆☆☆ - 20 Interest: Milestone reward

★★☆☆☆ - 40 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★☆☆ - 60 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★☆ - 80 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★★ -100 Interest: Milestone reward

===============

Select a woman to track progress.

╰───────────╯

Wow. I would never get tired of hearing that over and over again.

”And I’m glad I met you too,” I said, laughing. ”Table from hell, huh?”

She laughed, shaking her head. The moment was calm, a rare pause in the chaos. I could’ve stayed like that all night, but Delilah’s quest nagged at me. Julia still hadn’t texted back either—probably a failed quest. Fuck.

I kissed her lips softly, eased her aside, and stood, stretching. Time to stalk Sarah and Mike, figure out how to fix Delilah’s shit. ”I’m hitting the bed early,” I said, faking a yawn. ”Take my bed. I’ll sleep here.”

”I can’t do that,” Kim said, frowning. ”I’ll take the couch.”

”Just...” I sighed, annoyed but softening. ”Come on, Kim. Take my bed. I’ll grab blankets and crash here.”

”We don’t have to act like strangers,” she said, chuckling. ”You’ve fucked me countless times, after all.”

”Didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable,” I said.

”No, Evan, I won’t,” she replied, smiling. ”Come on. Let’s sleep together.”

”Alright,” I said, nodding. ”I’ll grab another pillow then.”

I grabbed another pillow from the wardrobe and followed Kim into the bedroom.. The bed was unmade, sheets rumpled from last night, and the air held a faint trace of my cologne.

Kim kicked off her shoes and, without hesitation, peeled off her red crop top and jeans, revealing a pair of black panties and a red bra. My eyes locked onto her, the pillow in my hand forgotten, my cock stirring in my jeans as her curves caught the light—her pale skin, the way her ass filled out those panties. Fuck.

”What?” she asked, a sly smile playing on her lips as she caught me staring. ”I don’t have any pajamas. Managed to grab some panties and clothes, that’s it. Ugh... I hate sleeping with a bra on.”

”Oh... y-yeah,” I stammered, my throat dry, forcing my eyes to the floor.

She climbed onto the bed, the mattress creaking softly as she settled in, her hair spilling over the pillow. I set my pillow next to hers, switched off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into near-darkness, and changed into a t-shirt and shorts, trying to keep my movements casual. My cock was already half-hard, making it awkward as I slid under the sheets.

Kim turned away, her back to me, but she and I scooted closer at the same time, her ass brushing against my thigh. I swallowed hard, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her close in a spooning hug, her warmth seeping into me. Her scent—something sweet, like vanilla body wash—filled my head, and my cock went fully hard, straining against my shorts. No way I was sleeping like this.

Then she moved, her ass pressing back, rubbing against my dick through the thin fabric. Slow, teasing, the pressure sending a jolt through me. My breath hitched. She turned her head, her eyes catching mine in the dim light, waiting, her lips parted slightly.

I nodded, heart pounding, and reached for her chin, gently turning her head further. Our lips met, soft at first, then harder, her tongue brushing mine, a quiet moan escaping her. The kiss deepened, my hand tightening on her waist, her ass still grinding against me, driving me fucking wild.

She moved, quick and bold, climbing on top of me, her thighs straddling my hips, her weight pinning me to the mattress. Her hair fell loose, framing her face, her lips parted as she leaned down, her hand wrapping around my throat, fingers firm but not cruel.

”I want you to fuck me like you fucked Tessa,” she said through gritted teeth, her voice low, raw with need. ”Make me forget that fucking idiot.”

My pulse raced, her grip tightening just enough to send a thrill through me. I lunged forward, kissing her hard, her hand still on my throat, her tongue meeting mine with fierce hunger. My hands grabbed her waist, and I rolled us, lifting her off the bed. Her legs wrapped around me, locking behind my back, her arms clinging to my shoulders, her breath hot against my neck.

”With pleasure,” I growled, my voice thick with lust.

Holding her with one arm, her body pressed tight against me, I yanked my shorts down with the other, my cock springing free, hard and aching. I hooked a finger into her black panties, sliding them to the side, the fabric catching on her thigh, dangling off her left leg. Her pussy glistened, her arousal clear in the dim light, and I could feel the heat radiating from her.

”Take me in the ass,” Kim demanded, her voice a mix of command and plea, her eyes burning into mine. ”Stick that fucking cock inside me, Evan.”