Chapter 82: Sticky and Gooey Morning

A familiar scent drifted into his nose, instantly clearing his head a bit.

Lily...

He looked down and discovered that Lily had somehow rolled over to his side. The pillow barrier they'd placed in the middle had long since disappeared.

She was curled up in his arms, her little face flushed pink, eyelashes fluttering lightly, breathing steady and deep.

David's heart melted instantly.

'The way she sleeps... is really adorable.'

He didn't push her away. Instead, he tightened his arms and held her closer.

Lily seemed to sense something. She shifted in his arms and mumbled something.

David leaned in to listen, but couldn't make it out.

"Lily?" he called softly.

Lily responded groggily, then buried her face in his chest and nuzzled against him.

That movement was just like a spoiled kitten.

David's Adam's apple bobbed.

This little thing... does she know how tempting she looks right now?

"Time to get up," his voice was a bit husky.

Lily mumbled, "No... sleep a bit more..."

As she spoke, her arm wrapped around his waist, holding him tighter.

David's body instantly tensed up.

"Lily..." his voice grew huskier, "do you know what you're doing?"

"...So comfortable..." Lily was completely unaware of the danger and burrowed even deeper into his arms.

David took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the heat surging through his body.

He reached out to stroke her hair, making his voice as gentle as possible: "Be good, time to get up."

"No..." Lily protested softly.

David couldn't help but laugh.

So Lily has trouble waking up.

And when she's groggy, she's so sweet, so obedient...

If only every morning could be like this.

He lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Then sleep a bit more. I'll stay with you."

The drowsy Lily seemed satisfied with this answer. She found a more comfortable position in his arms and continued sleeping.

David just held her like that, watching the sky gradually brighten outside the window.

In this moment, time seemed to stand still.

He really wished this kind of morning could last forever.

After some time, Lily finally woke up. She opened her eyes to find herself lying in a warm embrace. At her nose was a familiar crisp scent, and by her ear was the sound of a steady heartbeat...

Her brain was blank for a few seconds, then she suddenly realized something.

She jerked her head up and met David's smiling eyes.

"Morning, wife." His voice carried the unique huskiness of just waking up, especially alluring.

Lily's face instantly turned bright red.

She stammered, "You... you... Why are you holding me?"

"You rolled over here yourself. And you were holding onto me and wouldn't let go." David said matter-of-factly. This time it really was Lily who made the first move.

"Impossible! I clearly put a pillow..."

She turned to look and found the pillow had already fallen to the floor.

David continued, "And just now you said you wanted to sleep a bit more, and that it felt comfortable with me holding you."

"I... I didn't! You're making it up!"

David raised an eyebrow, "Really? Want me to replay what just happened?"

With that, he started imitating Lily's groggy state: "...So comfortable... sleep a bit more..."

Lily's face turned even redder.

Did she really say those things?!

She must have still been dreaming!

"You... stop talking!" She covered his mouth in embarrassment.

David laughed out loud, the sound vibrating from her palm, making it tingle.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. So my wife is this cute when she's groggy."

Lily glared at him, "What's cute about it! You're not allowed to hold me anymore!"

David said innocently, "But we're married. It's normal for a married couple to hug."

"We're in a contract marriage! And I said we need to keep our distance!"

David suddenly rolled over, pinning her beneath him, "Really? But you clearly loved me holding you just now."

Lily was startled by his sudden movement and froze completely.

"What... what are you doing?"

"Morning kiss."

Lily's heartbeat was racing, as if it would jump out of her chest.

She looked at the mask so close to her and bit her lip: "No... you can't..."

David's voice grew huskier, "But your body is honest."

He took her hand and placed it on her own heart.

The violent heartbeat transmitted through her palm, making it impossible for Lily to deny.

She was both embarrassed and annoyed, "Anyway, you can't! We agreed to keep our distance!"

David looked at her stubborn expression. The tenderness in his eyes gradually faded, giving way to a hint of coldness.

He released her hand, his voice becoming somewhat distant, "Fine, as you wish."

He got out of bed, and his whole presence changed, shifting from the earlier tender intimacy to cold detachment.

Lily froze.

He... was angry?

She watched David walk into the bathroom with a cold face and suddenly felt an indescribable sourness in her heart.

But he was the one who proposed the contract marriage first, he was the one who refused to take off his mask, he was the one who wanted to keep things clear between them.

She was just going along with the situation. What right did he have to be angry?

Lily bit her lip and got up to go to the other bathroom to wash up.

Half an hour later, the two of them, both ready, went downstairs together for breakfast.

When Skylar saw them appear together, her face immediately broke into a smile.

"You two look so refreshed today! Did you sleep well last night?"

Lily's face reddened again: "Mom..."

"Okay, okay, I'll stop. Hurry and eat breakfast. After eating, Samuel still has business to discuss."

At the dining table, the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

David kept a cold face throughout, eating breakfast without saying a word.

Lily sneaked several glances at him, feeling uneasy.

He... was really angry.

Skylar sensed something was wrong and asked tentatively: "Did you two... have a fight?"

"No." Lily quickly said.

"No." David also responded flatly.

But this clearly looked like they'd had a fight!

Skylar was about to say something when she saw David suddenly reach out and naturally take a piece of dessert that Lily liked.

"Eat more," he said. Though his tone was flat, his gesture was gentle.

Lily paused and looked up at him.

David winked at her, his eyes clearly saying: Acting.

Lily understood immediately and also got into character, saying with a smile, "Thanks, honey."

She also took a piece of bacon for David.

"You eat more, too. You still have work later."

"Okay." David accepted the food she gave him, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.