Chapter 158: Acquired Taste

’Seriously? She woke up for a second, glanced at a magical holographic system screen, and then just went straight back to sleep like nothing happened?’

Fredrinn stood by the edge of the mattress, truly not knowing whether to laugh or cry at his little busty beauty’s sheer laziness.

Still, looking down at Andrea’s curled-up form, he knew she could be easily excused this once.

He understood that she was well and truly tired.

With the seed bonding finalized and his third voluntary thrall successfully tied to his soul, Fredrinn felt a heavy sense of accomplishment settle in his chest.

Now that Andrea was linked, all he needed were four more zombie cores to fulfill the long-standing quest that Lust had dumped on him back at the beginning.

He hoped that those 3 zombies in other room could give him some cores.

Satisfied with his internal agenda, Fredrinn turned his attention away from the sleeping brunette and glanced across the suite.

Over by the small dining counter, Jenny sat perched on the edge of the polished wooden table.

Her legs were crossed tightly at the knee, showcasing smooth, toned thighs beneath her tactical skirt, while she maintained an exaggerated, rock-hard poker face.

She held a white ceramic mug between her palms, casually twirling the dark liquid inside.

Every few seconds, she brought the rim to her lips to take a tiny, hesitant sip.

Yet, as stoic as she attempted to appear, she couldn’t completely disguise her involuntary physical reactions.

After every single swallow, her smooth brow twitched, her eyes squinted, and her jaw tightened in a microsecond of bitterness before she snapped right back to her cold, detached expression.

"What? Is the coffee not that good?" Fredrinn teased, a smug grin playing at the corners of his lips.

The sudden sound of his voice shattered Jenny’s fragile concentration.

Her head jerked upward, her eyes meeting his before a furious, burning blush erupted across her neck and cheeks.

He was completely naked.

"Oh, you’re done already," she said, forcing an airy, dismissive tone that fell completely flat. She struggled with all her might to keep her lips steady as she added, "That was quite fast."

"Pff—"

Over on the far side of the bed, Rose instantly burst into a melodic giggle.

Catching Jenny’s blatant, mocking jab, the demon girl looked up from her lollipop and flashed a bright, mischievous smile, watching Fredrinn’s smug expression immediately go rigid and flat.

Since Rose had been slightly irritated by having to sit through their noisy session earlier, she certainly didn’t mind seeing her husband get knocked down a peg or two.

It was all in good fun, of course, but petty revenge was always sweet.

"You two..." Fredrinn grumbled, though he couldn’t help but chuckle.

He stared directly into Jenny’s hazel eyes.

Feeling his heavy, teasing gaze, Jenny immediately dropped her head, staring down into the dark abyss of her coffee mug with such intense, desperate concentration that one might have thought she was attempting to decipher the cure for cancer at the bottom of the ceramic cup.

Sensing an opportunity to rattle her even further, Fredrinn slid off the king-sized mattress and strolled across the room.

He walked right across the open floor completely nude, his half-hard cock swaying carelessly between his muscular thighs.

Hearing the soft thud of bare feet on the hardwood, Jenny instinctively peeked over the rim of her cup.

Her breath hitched sharply in her throat. The instant her eyes traced the sculpted ridges of his abs, the broad breadth of his shoulders, and the shameless swagger of his bare lower half, she violently whipped her head to the left, staring intently at the blank beige drywall.

Just catching a glimpse of his naked frame was enough to send a wave of molten heat straight down into her core.

How was she supposed to maintain eye-contact like this?

Fredrinn took pity on her flustered state and decided not to push her completely over the edge. He calmly leaned against her table.

Jenny shifted slightly away to grant him extra room and put some much-needed distance between them.

But he didn’t allow it.

His calloused hand shot out, gently but firmly grasping her slender fingers where they wrapped around the warm handle of the mug.

"Your reaction to that drink looked interesting," he whispered, his deep voice taking on a low, raspy cadence that vibrated straight through her skin. "Mind if I try a little sip?"

Jenny coughed violently, nearly choking on her own saliva.

Without daring to glance at his face—or anywhere near his bare torso—she shoved the ceramic mug directly into his chest with both hands.

"SURE! Go right ahead! Enjoy!" she stammered loudly, her face glowing like an overheated engine.

Fredrinn laughed under his breath. Teasing her was always quite fun.

Still, beyond teasing her, his innate curiosity toward Earth’s culinary creations was undeniably strong.

He swirled the mug gently, imitating the motion Jenny had used earlier. A dark, rich, roasted aroma drifted up from the steam, teasing his senses.

Bringing the rim to his lips, Fredrinn tilted the cup and took a healthy, confident sip.

The dark brew flooded his mouth.

In less than a millisecond, an overwhelming wave of sharp, astringent, unadulterated bitterness assaulted his taste buds like a sledgehammer.

"What the fuck?!" Fredrinn coughed, his throat convulsing as he tried to spit it into the dustbin.

Alas, he was a little late, as he ended up swallowing it too fast.

"Ugh!!" he grimaced, his face contorting into an expression of dislike. "Why is it so bitter?!"

Over on the bed, Rose blinked, tilting her head as she watched his theatrical suffering with curious, hearty pink eyes.

Fredrinn caught her gaze.

Instantly, the memory of her giggling at Jenny’s cheap shot flashed through his mind. A brilliant, diabolical idea formed in his head.

Fredrinn quickly forced his contorted features to relax. He smoothed his brow, puffed out his chest, and let out an exaggerated, deeply appreciative sigh of sheer culinary bliss.

"Ah...! It’s so deliciously bitter, and that’s precisely why it tastes so damn good!" he announced loudly, nodding with the solemn reverence of a seasoned food connoisseur.

Jenny stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Her jaw slacked open in disbelief.

She could fully understand his initial reaction.

When she had brewed the pot, she was so thoroughly distracted, jealous, and annoyed by the sounds of him enthusiastically claiming Andrea on the bed that she hadn’t bothered to add a single splash of milk or a grain of sugar.

It was pure, scorched, unadulterated black instant coffee.

She had only been forcing it down to keep up appearances.

Coffee was an acquired taste that took months, if not years, of modern indulgence to appreciate without sweetener.

This must have been his first time drinking it.

How can he like it so much?

However, the second Fredrinn opened his mouth again, Jenny’s confusion vanished, replaced by sudden, hilarious enlightenment.

With an innocent, loving beam plastered across his face, Fredrinn turned toward the bed, holding out the steaming cup like a sacred offering.

"Rose, sweetheart," he said in his sweetest, most affectionate voice. "This drink is amazing! You must try it yourself! Come!"