Chapter 198 Not Enough
That night, they made love countless times, as if making up for all the moments they'd missed before.
Eventually, Quinley's legs went weak with exhaustion, her body completely drained of strength, until Zachary finally relented. She couldn't move, wanting nothing more than to drift into sleep.
He got up and headed to the bathroom, took a shower, then brought back warm water to gently wipe down Quinley's sleeping form. After being so thoroughly loved, her face was flushed pink, like a ripe apple. Zachary couldn't help himself—he pressed another kiss to her cherry lips.
Half-asleep, Quinley made soft sounds and rolled over, falling into even deeper slumber.
After finishing, Zachary lay back down beside her. It was already three in the morning, but he wasn't sleepy at all. He propped himself against the headboard, chin resting on one hand, lying on his side just watching Quinley sleep.
Her delicate features—big eyes, a small nose, and long lashes that cast crescent shadows on her eyelids. He reached out to pinch her small nose tenderly, barely applying pressure, afraid of disturbing her dreams. This was his wife, the woman he would protect with his life. The more he loved her, the more his heart ached.
But in her sleep, Quinley returned to that nightmare she feared most.
The bread truck teetering on the cliff's edge, swaying dangerously. She clutched the seat in terror, desperately pounding on the window for help. Then a motorcycle roared forward—a man in black with a helmet used his bike to ram into the back of the truck. The truck completely lost its balance and tumbled down the mountainside.
"Zachary, save me!"
Zachary had been nodding off, head propped in his hand, when Quinley suddenly cried out from her nightmare. She was drenched in sweat, those usually cool eyes filled with unmistakable terror.
"I'm here, I'm right here. Don't be afraid." He immediately pulled Quinley into his arms. Her eyes stared straight ahead, unseeing.
"It's okay, it was just a dream. Don't be scared, sweetheart." He gently patted her back, and her emotions gradually settled.
"That scared me to death. I thought I was still in that truck." Quinley’s voice was weak. That nightmare had haunted her for so long. She wanted to forget but couldn't.
Zachary's brows knitted together. His heart broke for her, but he didn't know how to comfort her. "I'll never let those things happen again. I'll protect you, and our child." He held Quinley close, murmuring reassurance in her ear.
Quinley gripped his arms tightly. Only by holding him could the terror in her heart begin to fade.
"Do you remember what the truck driver looked like?" Zachary asked.
Quinley shook her head. That bread truck had been arranged by Detective Wilson, but the driver had been switched at the last minute. No one had seen the replacement driver's face. He'd worn a black baseball cap and mask, completely covering himself. Quinley had been focused on escaping and hadn't suspected the driver's identity.
"Do you remember anyone suspicious that day?" Zachary asked again.
The investigation into that driver had continued for eight months and was still ongoing, but the man had vanished like smoke. The people Lucas had sent out—all with professional tracking abilities—were at a complete loss.
Quinley had always been reluctant to relive that day. But now, she closed her eyes and let those painful memories resurface bit by bit.
"I think I saw someone. Right before the truck went over the cliff, someone on a motorcycle came by. He was the one who rammed into the truck."
"Do you remember his face?" Zachary's expression immediately tensed.
"He was wearing a helmet. I couldn't see his face clearly, but I remember his eyes. There was a killing intent in them. I feel like I've seen him somewhere before." Quinley closed her eyes, the scene from her dream flashing through her mind again. Those blazing eyes—just thinking of them sent chills through her.
Countless pairs of eyes flashed through Quinley's mind, but none matched his.
Seeing her tense expression, Zachary couldn't bear it. "Don't think about it anymore. Whoever he is, I'll find him. It's almost dawn. Let's sleep a little more."
He pulled Quinley into his embrace, patting her shoulder as if soothing a child. She curled against his chest, arms wrapped around his waist. His embrace held a kind of magic. When Quinley nestled in that safe harbor, all her fears disappeared. She fell into deep sleep again.
Zachary reached for his phone and sent Lucas a message.
[Book two tickets to Cloudrest Peak.]
He'd decided on the spot to take Quinley away to clear her mind. In all the time she'd been with him, he'd never taken her anywhere. He remembered when they first got together, she'd told him how much she loved Cloudrest Peak's tranquility. Back then, he'd only filed it away but never took her there. Now, he didn't want to wait anymore.
Another thought occurred to him, and he sent another message.
[I'm going away for a few days. Don't contact me unless it's urgent. Keep investigating the accident.]
When Quinley woke, the sun was already high in the sky. Zachary had already had Martha pack for the trip, and the driver was waiting in the courtyard.
"We're really going? Why so sudden?" Learning that Zachary wanted to take her to Cloudrest Peak, Quinley felt both delighted and surprised.
Zachary lightly brushed her delicate nose. "Go wash up and change. Let's have a spontaneous adventure!"
For two people accustomed to planning everything, a spontaneous trip was full of adventure. But Quinley was willing to try.
She washed up as quickly as possible, and when she came downstairs, a lavish brunch was already waiting on the table.
"Mom, why don't you come with us?" Quinley invited Elise.
Elise quickly declined. "I already have plans. You two go enjoy yourselves—I don't want to be a third wheel."
Zachary came up behind Quinley, wrapping his arms around her. "Mom told me a few days ago she wants to go back to Lakeside City. Her son's vacation is coming up soon."
"Don't worry about me. Everything's arranged. I won't overdo it. When we come back in a few days, I'll bring my son to stay with us."
Zachary and Quinley set off on their adventure together, while Martha accompanied Elise back to Lakeside City. The two cars departed from Maple Estate simultaneously, then headed in different directions.
"Happy?" In the back seat, Zachary held Quinley's hand, doting on her throughout the journey.
"Why are you taking me to Cloudrest Peak?" Quinley leaned against him, asking curiously. She'd never been to Cloudrest Peak. Her longing for it came from an article she'd read. She vaguely remembered never mentioning this to anyone.
"It's a secret." Quinley had forgotten, but Zachary didn't point it out. He deliberately kept her in suspense.
"I heard Cloudrest Peak has beautiful scenery and few people. Once we're there, I want to enjoy some uninterrupted quality time with you."
The words seemed ordinary enough—just the usual sweet talk between spouses. But Quinley detected something unusual in his tone.
"Mr. Jennings, you're becoming more like a banana." She'd seen this internet joke describing men who were different in that department than they appeared on the surface. Quinley never imagined that Zachary, once known for being ice-cold, would secretly be surfing the web.
"No, I’ve evolved. Now I'm a mango."
The atmosphere in the car turned steamy. Quinley detected a certain dangerous scent in the air. That big mango had transformed into a big bad wolf, wanting to devour her completely.
The privacy screen silently lowered, enclosing them in a completely sealed space.
"Mr. Jennings, eat too much and you’ll be stuffed.." Quinley pressed her hand against his lips, blocking his kiss.
He simply sucked her finger into his mouth instead. "Questioning my digestive capacity?"
Quinley didn't dare question it, because he knew her body's every secret. Whenever he wanted, he could unlock it.
The Maybach headed toward Cloudrest Peak at a steady speed, though the car began to rock slightly out of control, swaying back and forth...