Third person's POV
Tabitha couldn't discern his facial expression, but she could palpably sense his physical distress. "Then you..." she began.
"I'll find a way to handle it myself," he responded.
With that, further lingering seemed like an implicit invitation to something more.
Like a nimble fish, Tabitha swiftly retreated back into her room and swiftly locked the door.
Worried that he might lose control under the influence of the drug and become dangerously irrational, she moved the desk and chair from the room to brace against the door.
Exhausted from her efforts, she slumped down onto the carpet.
Her fingers gently touched her lips where he had kissed her.
Honestly, she was too shocked at the time to have any particular feelings.
It was the first time a man other than her husband had kissed her, and the sensation was both unfamiliar and strange.
Oddly, when his hands touched her body, she didn't feel a strong
Tabitha's lip twitched. Derek's words implied she had a huge appetite for that sort of thing."Ahem, rest assured, I'm not as promiscuous as you think," she said.For her, survival had always been the priority. Later on, it was all about her children.From beginning to end, such desires had been the least of her concerns.Over the years, Derek was the only man she had been with.She was constantly busy and had no time for such thoughts.If it weren't for Derek reigniting her desires, Tabitha would never have made such a preposterous yet mutually logical request.With the terms set, Derek got up and grabbed her ankle, leaning down to kiss from her foot up.A jolt of electricity ran through Tabitha's body. "Stop it, it's dirty," she said.Even in the past, Derek had never done this."How could my treasure ever be dirty?" he said.His wet, soft kisses traveled over every inch of her skin. Her toes curled, and
Derek 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