Ten minutes later, I pull into the basement parking lot.
Despite being half-asleep, Jennifer stubbornly refuses to let me carry her.
So instead, I support her by walking beside her, holding her steady as she sleepily clings to my arm.
By the time we make it to our bedroom, she practically collapses onto the bed, leaning against the headboard with heavy eyelids.
"Do you want to take a bath or let me wash you up?" I ask softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Bath," she mumbles, already half in a daze.
I chuckle, shaking my head. "Alright, I'll get the water ready."
I know she'd probably be better off letting me wash her, considering how exhausted she is. But I also know how much she loves ending her day with a warm soak.
Especially now that she's pregnant.
So I go to the bathroom, filling the tub with a perfect mix of hot and cold water, 60:40 ratio. As the water rises, I sprinkle in lavender bath salts, letting the calming scent fill the air.
The warm, soothing aroma spreads through the bathroom, and for a moment, I close my eyes, letting it sink in.
When I return to the bedroom, I find Jennifer… completely asleep.
I chuckle softly.
Of course.
Instead of waking her, I carefully shift her body so she's lying in a more comfortable position. Then, I head back to the bathroom, filling a basin with warm water and grabbing a clean towel.
If she won't wake up for her bath, I'll just clean her up myself.
Sitting beside her, I dampen the towel and gently wipe her face, removing the light traces of her makeup.
Even in sleep, she's ridiculously beautiful.
After cleaning her face, I carefully remove her clothes piece by piece.
And God help me… she's stunning.
She looks so peaceful, her bare body glowing in the dim light.
A slow, warm smile spreads across my face as I admire every delicate curve, every soft breath she takes.
She's an angel.
A goddess.
And she's mine.
Fighting off any unholy thoughts, I continue gently wiping her body with the warm towel, taking my time, ensuring she's clean and comfortable.
Once I'm done, I slip her into a soft nightgown, making sure she won't catch a cold.
Then, with the same care, I take her night cream from the bedside table and gently apply it to her face, rubbing it in with featherlight touches.
Satisfied, I stand up and head to the bathroom, taking a much-needed cold shower.
(Yeah, you can guess why.)
Twenty minutes later, feeling somewhat calmer, I slip into bed beside her, dressed in my usual boxers and a T-shirt.
It's still only 9 PM.
Way too early for me to sleep.
The last few weeks, I spent this time meditating to manage the relentless pain from the poison in my body. But now… it's gone.
Not just the pain, but everything.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel strong, healthy, and free.
I glance at Jennifer beside me, her chest rising and falling softly.
If only she wasn't so tired… I would have loved to spend this time making love to her.
I miss having her completely.
Sure, we've been intimate over the past month, but let's be honest—those were my worst performances.
I wanted to redeem myself.
But today, Jennifer is exhausted. She barely slept last night, waiting for me in worry.
A deep warmth spreads in my chest, remembering all she's done for me.
Instead of sulking, I grab my laptop, deciding to read up on pregnancy.
I need to know what Jennifer will be facing so I can prepare myself to be her best support.
The more I read, the guiltier I feel.
Morning sickness, fatigue, mood swings, swollen feet, heartburn, insomnia, shortness of breath, even hemorrhoids?
She's going to endure all of that for our baby.
And not once has she complained.
I close my laptop, setting it aside before turning off the bedside lamp.
Sliding down into a comfortable position, I turn toward Jennifer, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
I gaze at her face, pouring all my love into that one look.
Hoping she feels it.
But it's not enough.
I press a soft, lingering kiss to her forehead, inhaling the familiar sweet scent of her hair.
"Good night, baby. I love you so much," I whisper against her skin.
I barely pull away when she moves slightly… and kisses my cheek.
"Good night, babe. I love you too," she murmurs.
I open my eyes. "You're awake?"
Jennifer nods sleepily. She shifts slightly, turning to face me, then snuggles closer, wrapping her arms around my body and resting her head under my chin.
"I dreamed about something," she whispers. "I forgot what… but it was about you."
I brush a few strands of hair from her face. "Was it a bad dream?"
She shakes her head. "No. It was a good one. A heartwarming one, I think. Then I felt your warm kiss on my forehead."
She smiles softly.
I tuck her hair behind her ear. "Then go back to sleep, love."
Jennifer hums in response, but doesn't close her eyes.
Instead, she turns her head away slightly.
Uh-oh.
I recognize this silence.
The hormones are playing games again.
I lean closer, pressing light teasing kisses to her cheek. "Come on… talk to me."
She pouts.
Finally, after a long pause, she grumbles, "You promised to make love to me tonight."
I burst out laughing.
Jennifer's pout deepens as she turns away from me. "It's fine if you don't want to," she mumbles, clearly sulking.
Before she can fully turn, I pull her back.
"Of course I want to make love to you," I say, kissing her softly. "I just thought since you were tired and sleepy, we should postpone it."
She shakes her head. "I'm not sleepy now."
I feel my entire body warm up.
My lips twitch into a grin. "So you're saying…" I kiss her again, deeper this time. "You want to make love now?"
She nods.
"Ahem…"
Oh, thank God.
+++++++
[Warning 18+ Material] You can skip this scene if you are underage or not comfortable. This scene won't affect much on the storyline. Recommended BGM: Brian Culbertson - Light Off ^_^
I claim her lips with a hunger that's been building from the moment she whispered those words to me. My fingers thread into her hair, tilting her head just enough to deepen the kiss, devouring her sighs, tasting the heat of her mouth.
Her lips part willingly, and I take full possession, my tongue sliding over hers, teasing, exploring the depths of her mouth in slow, intoxicating strokes.
Her body melts into me, pressing closer, seeking more, as if she's as desperate for this as I am.
My hands slide beneath the thin fabric of her nightgown, fingertips tracing the delicate curves of her body, following the smooth lines that I know as well as my own.
I find the soft swell of her breasts, cupping them, feeling her warmth, her skin flushing beneath my touch.
She gasps into my mouth, her breath hitching as I roll my thumb over her sensitive peak, teasing, circling, drawing out the reaction I crave.
Her moan vibrates against my lips, and I swallow the sound, deepening the kiss, pressing my body harder against hers.
God, she feels incredible.
I can feel her heartbeat beneath my fingertips, the way her chest rises and falls in uneven, shaky breaths.
I break the kiss only long enough to pull her nightgown over her head, leaving her bare beneath me.
Her body is exquisite, bathed in the soft glow of the night, every curve, every breath, every tiny shiver drawing me in deeper.
She reaches for me in return, her fingers skimming down my stomach, teasing the muscles there, trailing lower, exploring the heat of my skin.
I groan softly, but before she can go further, I capture her hands, pinning them gently above her head, holding her still.
"Not yet, baby," I murmur against her lips. "I want to take my time with you."
Her pupils dilate, her breath catches, and I can feel the way her body responds to those words, the way she's already unraveling beneath me.
I press my lips to her throat, feeling her pulse race against my mouth.
I want to taste all of her.
I trail kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, over the soft, sensitive curves of her chest.
The moment my mouth closes over one of her hardened peaks, she arches off the bed, gasping my name, her nails digging into my arms.
I flick my tongue over her nipple, teasing, sucking lightly, feeling the way she shudders beneath me.
She moans louder, twisting beneath my hands, and I take my time, worshiping her with my mouth, feeling her tremble with every flick, every heated press of my lips.
Her hands are no longer pinned; instead, she's gripping my shoulders, pulling me closer, begging for more without words.
I move lower, tracing a heated path down her stomach, my lips skimming over every inch of soft skin.
Her thighs shift restlessly, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps.
But before I can go further, she stops me.
Jennifer smirks, shifting beneath me, rolling us just enough so that she's in control.
Her fingers trail down my abdomen, teasing the sharp ridges of my muscles, inching lower—until her hand wraps around my length.
I curse under my breath, my entire body tightening as she strokes me—slow, deliberate, torturous.
"Jen," I grit out, her teasing pushing me to the edge already.
She hums in amusement, her touch featherlight but devastating, her thumb swiping over the sensitive tip.
My jaw clenches, pleasure pooling low in my stomach as she moves her hand down my shaft, gripping me firmer, stroking with just the right amount of pressure.
Damn it.
She knows exactly what she's doing.
I groan, my muscles coiling like a spring, my hips jerking into her touch.
She glances up at me, her eyes dark, wicked. "You always rush me," she whispers, voice dripping with mischief. "But maybe I want to take my time with you."
Before I can respond, she presses her lips to the very base of me, the heat of her mouth making me choke out a curse.
I snap.
In one swift movement, I flip her onto her side, pinning her beneath me.
"Enough," I growl against her lips, my voice rough, strained.
She laughs—a breathless, teasing sound that fuels my need to take back control.
I position myself beside her, our bodies molding together as I lift her right leg over mine.
This is safer for her—safer for our baby.
I press hot, open-mouthed kisses to her shoulder as I push into her, inch by inch.
She gasps, her fingers gripping my forearm, her body adjusting to the stretch.
I groan at the sensation, the way she clenches around me, the way her warmth pulls me in.
I still, my breath heavy against her neck, giving her a moment, letting her feel every inch of me.
"Move," she whispers, voice breathy, needy.
I obey, moving slowly at first, careful, measured, savoring every second.
Jennifer lets out a frustrated moan, shifting against me. I know—it's not enough.
I press my lips to her shoulder, rolling my hips in slow, deliberate circles, grinding deeper inside her.
"Oh, God—Scott—"
She shudders, gasping, her entire body tightening.
That's it.
I do it again, finding the perfect rhythm, feeling the way her walls flutter around me with every motion.
Her moans turn breathless, desperate.
Her body arches against me, her fingers clutching the sheets, her thighs trembling.
I hold her closer, my grip firm on her waist, keeping her right where I want her as I push her higher, deeper into pleasure.
"Scott... I—"
Her voice breaks, her breathing ragged.
I increase the pressure, circling deeper, harder, pushing her right to the edge.
"Come for me, baby."
She cries out, her entire body tightening, trembling, convulsing around me as pleasure rips through her in waves.
I hold her through it, my movements slowing but never stopping, guiding her down from the high.
Her breathing is still unsteady, her body slack against me—but before I can pull away, her hand reaches back, grabbing my hip.
"More," she whispers, voice raw, needy.
I smirk, pleased, ready.
I gently roll her onto her stomach, positioning myself behind her.
I hook her leg over mine again, pressing deeper as I kiss the back of her ear.
And this—this is even better.
Stars explode behind my eyelids as the pleasure coils even tighter inside me.
Oh, God—this is so much better than the first one.