Chapter 45
VERA'S POV
Yeah, he can control his mood, but not his libido, and I love the way he responds to my kisses and caresses. I licked his bare back and bit into his skin playfully while he kept twitching beneath my touch.
I touched him tenderly. "Should I stop playing with... you? Really? Seriously? Can I do that? I bet you don't want me to!" I whispered in his ear.
"Fùck it, you don't ever listen," he growled under his breath, a hint of frustration mixed with desire.
I giggled and let go of him. Then, impulsively, I jumped onto his back. My legs wrapped around his waist, my fingers tangled in his hair, and I licked the edge of his ear. He groaned, half in pleasure, half in resistance.
"Vera, we can't," he said, gripping my hands and gently pulling them away from his hair.
"Why can't we?" I asked, sliding off him to stand in the water, droplets clinging to my skin.
He turned around, cupped my hands in his. "I know what you want, and how you want it. I'm sorry, but I can't give it to you. I'm a monster when it comes to fûcking."
"It... doesn't matter now," I mumbled, looking away.
"It matters, Vera. A lot. You could get hurt badly. You haven't even fully healed from the last time. And we have a child to think about now," he said, resting a proud hand on my belly.
"I guess I was dreaming too big!" I laughed dryly and hugged him tightly.
"Anyway, I must take revenge for what you did to me!" he joked, brushing a wet strand of hair from my face.
"I'm an amateur seducer," I teased.
"That's not true. You're the best, for me. Just looking at your body puts me in the mood. You are a damn temptress," he said with a glint in his eye.
We stood like that in the cold water for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, time slowing between us. Eventually, he undressed me gently and carried me inside.
"Sit here. I’ll make something hot for you," he said, lowering me onto the couch.
As he walked away, I couldn't help but watch his hips move. "Men’s bums aren’t supposed to twerk when they walk!" I called after him.
"I heard that!" he replied from the kitchen.
"I said you have nice bums!" I laughed.
"I know what I heard!" he shouted back.
"All right then! You stink!"
"Please keep it down. Tim might wake up if you keep shouting like that," he warned as he returned with a cup of hot chocolate.
"Exactly what I need. Thanks," I said, touching my lips to his in gratitude.
"What's Tim’s full name? I don’t think I know the exact—"
"Don’t tell me you haven’t read the holy book," he interrupted, settling beside me. "Monica’s family is super religious. Half their descendants answer biblical names, except Delilah. Our son was baptized Timothy. That’s his church name."
"Who the hell answers Delilah?" I frowned. "I used to be a Christian, too. But I gave up on church after my parents broke their vows. They swore before God and still shattered everything. So, I decided those vows, and the church, meant nothing."
"Not all marriages are meant to be. Not every dream comes true. Sometimes we believe something will last, especially feelings, but eventually, we realize it was just a fleeting thought."
"Crap!" I dismissed, not in the mood to philosophize. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
I downed the hot chocolate, shoved the empty cup into his hands, and went upstairs. I could feel his eyes tracking me until I locked the door. I needed time alone, time to think, and to figure out how to get more help for him.
\---
The next morning, I woke early. I went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast. I was almost done when he crept in and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"Good morning, baby. How was your night?" he whispered, kissing the back of my neck.
"It was cool. I just missed you," I murmured, pulling out of his arms gently.
"Are we cool?" he asked, his hands shoved into his pockets like a boy seeking reassurance.
"Of course," I said. "But you need to leave for work early. I chatted with one of my friends in New Delhi, India. He’s a phenomenal designer, and he promised to come here tomorrow. That means you need to go to the company and call an emergency meeting to brief your team. Let them know what’s coming next."
I stood on tiptoe and planted a quick kiss on his lips.
"You did? Thank you so much, Vera." His face lit up like sunshine.
"You’re welcome. Now get out of my kitchen and go show the world what you’ve got!" I shoved him lightly toward the door.
"What about breakfast?!" he complained as I closed the door on him.
"Man shall not live by bread alone!" I shouted through the door.
"Says who?"
"Says the Bible, dummy! I thought you knew the holy book!" I laughed.
"You can’t be serious. That better not apply to the other food. I need my food, woman!"
"You’re a fûcking sinner, Jack. Don’t you dare preach to me again!" I shouted playfully. "Don’t panic, I’ve already packed breakfast and lunch for you."
I could still hear him chuckling from the hallway. That man could frustrate and charm me at the same time. But this morning, he walked out of the house like a man who believed again, in himself, in us.
And maybe, just maybe, I was learning to believe again too.