Tabitha's POV
I thought I'd be alone in here for a long time.Surprisingly, I heard something after a short while.Several people rushed in, dropped something, and left.Listening to the quiet breathing, I knew that another person had been brought here.Soon, the person woke up."What the hell is this place? Do you have any idea who I am? I am Luna of the Black Thorn Pack! You've got some balls kidnapping me! Derek ain't gonna let this slide!"Hearing Daphne's screechy voice, I couldn't help but frown.I didn't expect she would be kidnapped, too."Help! Someone! Help!""Save your strength. If shouting works, there'll be no kidnappers in the world," I couldn't help but say.Daphne instantly snapped, "Tabitha! You bitch! I knew it was you! You're jealous that I'm marrying Derek, so you pull this dirty trick to..."Her rant got me chuckling. "Seriously, are you delusional or just stupid? Till this point, you still don't have aDerek packed up the fish they caught last night, which would serve as provisions for the next stop.With their gear sorted, Derek stood at the cave entrance, backpack on, casting a glance back as if reluctant to leave.Tabitha, ahead, said coldly, "Aren't we going?"Derek snapped back, "Let's go."He knew he'd never forget this place.On the second night, with no shelter in sight, Derek made do with a vine-woven hammock. The two squeezed into a sleeping bag, gazing up at the star-filled sky—an experience entirely new to both."Tabitha, I've realized this is the life I truly want," Derek said.He was tired of his chaotic past and craved a more intimate, peaceful life.But Tabitha stayed silent; this wasn't what she wanted.For Derek, just being able to hold her was enough.He kissed her forehead. "No more fuss tonight. Sleep, honey."Tabitha was a treasure he'd worked hard to regain, and he vowed never
Derek chuckled silently. "Tabitha, I just want to massage your waist a bit.""Massage what? If you keep this up, the sky'll be light. Go to sleep!" she demanded.Was this man made of iron?Derek buried his head in her neck, feigning wronged. "Tabitha, I'm too happy to sleep. I'm scared it's a dream. If it is, when I wake up, you'll be gone—just like in the countless dreams I've had over the past three years. So real, yet you vanished at dawn.""Are you a fool? Can't tell reality from a dream?" she retorted."If a kiss from you could clear my confusion, then I'd know for sure. You never kiss me in my dreams," he said."Will you sleep after a kiss?" she asked.Derek nodded earnestly. "Mm, I will."She planted a quick peck on his cheek. "There. Now, close your eyes and sleep.""Tabitha, that kiss lacked sincerity. I won't be able to sleep. I'll lie awake in the late hours, reflecting on whether I didn't do something r
She was pretty sure Derek was doing this on purpose. If he had the time and mood to make a double bed, why couldn't he have made it wider?At just four feet wide, the bed was a tight squeeze for two people, especially with Derek's near-six-foot-tall, muscular frame.There was no way around it—Tabitha had to snuggle up to him; otherwise, she'd be hugging the ground.The sleeping bag, now as a blanket, covered them. Beneath it, both of them were completely bare, feeling every detail of each other's skin, warmth, and contours.Truth was, even in their honeymoon days, they hadn't been this close.Back then, Derek had been so restrained, suppressing his nature even in bed.After years of sleeping alone, Derek often thought about going back in time to slap some sense into his past self.Now, there was no restraint.Derek held Tabitha's waist from behind and whispered contentedly, "Tabitha, I'm really happy.""Don't celeb
Derek's physique was a world apart from those gym-sculpted bodies, and the scars he bore added a touch of primal intensity.Before Tabitha knew it, he was right in front of her, his hands braced on either side of her.She was seated, and he stood, slightly bent, his shadow enveloping her."What're you lookin' at?" he asked.Tabitha averted her gaze like a caught kid.If Derek knew her thoughts, he'd surely tease her endlessly."Uh, nothing," she said.Derek inched closer, trapping her in his space.The water droplets on his skin glistened in the firelight.Sensing her fluster, he let out a low, magnetic chuckle.Then, in a husky whisper by her ear, he said, "I'm yours and yours alone. You can look and touch anytime you like."Recalling her past boldness, he guided her hand to his abdomen. "Remember how you used to love this?"Tabitha's face flushed crimson. In the early days of their marriage, she'd
Derek glanced down at the view within Tabitha's shirt.This pose was incredibly inviting.His Adam's apple bobbed. "I want to kiss you. May I?" he asked, his gaze intense.Tabitha was taken aback.Derek had always been bold and direct, taking what he wanted. This sudden politeness threw her."I'm hungry," she said, turning him down.Derek let out a soft sigh. He didn't push her. Instead, he patted her head gently."Eat up then," he said, before returning to his makeshift bed.As Tabitha chewed on the wild boar meat, she touched her face—it was hot and red. Must be the cave's warmth, she thought.Looking at Derek's muscular back, she admitted to herself that no one could truly dislike such a man.Last night's passionate encounter had ignited something in her.Setting aside feelings of resentment, being with Derek was undeniably exhilarating.Yet, humans were defined by emotions. The past weighed
One was scared of messing up again and getting scolded. The other was all tangled up inside, unsure what to do.Yet, their hearts were drawing closer. Like back in middle school, when you had a crush on your deskmate. If your eraser accidentally crossed into their territory and they handed it back, brushing fingers in the process, your heart would shudder uncontrollably.Derek didn't find any spare pants, so he wrapped a bath towel around himself.Beyond the rain, the only sound was the occasional "crackle" from the fire.Their soaked clothes, being dried by the fire, emitted wisps of white smoke.After eating some compressed biscuits to fill her stomach, Tabitha curled up in her sleeping bag and fell asleep.When she woke up again, the air was filled with a delicious aroma.It made Tabitha's mouth water before she even opened her eyes. Then she heard Derek's deep voice by her ear, "Are you awake?"Tabitha's head was still fuzz