Chapter 798

“The tests all came back clear–you’re perfectly healthy. If you’re worried about recovering from the surgery, I promise I’ll be gentle…”

He was a doctor, after all. He knew exactly what her body had been through and wouldn’t let his own desires override his care for her.

“That’s not it…” Ivy frowned, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “If we shower together right now, it’s going to look like a crime scene–”

She knew the phrase was a bit graphic, but it was the truth.

“Hm?” Jamison looked at her, obviously confused. His handsome face was full of anticipation, and he clearly hadn’t caught her meaning.

Seeing his bewildered expression and ragged breathing, Ivy sighed and decided to just say it. “My period started at lunchtime today. So… yeah.”

“What?” Dr. Ludwig’s reaction was both shocked and adorably innocent. His gaze instinctively drifted down to her waist, but his face remained a mix of disbelief and confusion.

“Yes, you heard me right. I started my period. I even asked Dr. Beckett why it came back so soon after surgery, and she told me it’s a good sign–it means I’m healing well. Which means you’ve been taking good care of me.”

Ivy explained gently, cupping his startled face in her hands and pouting a little in apology. “Sorry, Dr. Ludwig, but you’ll have to wait a few days. At least a week, maybe longer…”

Given her surgery, this was her first cycle since, and things might not be regular for a while.

But Jamison didn’t look upset. If anything, he snapped out of his passion and grew thoughtful. He gently placed a hand on her lower abdomen, his eyes filled with concern and curiosity. “Did it hurt this time?”

“No,” Ivy replied, touched that this was his first question. “Honestly, I didn’t even notice until just now–there was no pain like before, just a little soreness in my back and some fatigue. Pretty standard, I guess.”

“That’s good.” Jamison nodded, relieved. The surgery had worked; she was getting better.

Then, a realization struck him, and he remembered the mischievous glint in her eye ever since he came home. “So you started at lunch, but didn’t tell me? And then you spent all evening smirking at me, just to see my reaction now?”

He arched an eyebrow, a sly grin tugging at his lips. He saw right through her little game.

Ivy immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him twice, giggling. “If I’d told you earlier, you’d have been sulking all day. At least this way, you got to look forward to something.”

Jamison’s feelings were complicated, but he couldn’t blame her. This wasn’t something she could control.

At least it meant she was recovering well, and the lack of pain was a win. All in all, good news.

Now that she was being so affectionate–kissing him over and over–Jamison huffed and gave her a gentle nip on the lips.

“Ow! What was that for?” Ivy yelped, pulling away.

He gave her a playful smack on the backside, shooing her out of the shower. “Go on, get out of here. Stop trying to tempt me. You never used to be this forward! No wonder Naylor says you’re crafty–like some fairy queen come to life.”

The slap was loud and unmistakable. Ivy squeaked and, rubbing her backside, let herself be pushed out of the bathroom–though she couldn’t resist teasing back over her shoulder, “Fairy queen? Why not just call me a trickster? They’re supposed to be even sneakier.”

Jamison burst out laughing, replying with mock seriousness, “Probably because you’re not that dark.”

Ivy rolled her eyes, speechless.

Jamison saw she was lingering in the doorway and raised an eyebrow. “What, planning to catch a show?”

“Obviously,” Ivy shot back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “If I can’t have you, I might as well look, right?”

Jamison blinked, momentarily stunned by her audacity. Was this really his wife talking?

He gritted his teeth. “Ivy, do you realize what you’re setting yourself up for in seven days?”

Ivy just grinned. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I’m in control.”

Jamison clamped his jaw, eyes dancing with wicked promise. “Fine. Just you wait.”

Ivy didn’t know where she’d found this new streak of boldness.

She ended up sitting in the bathroom, chin in hand, openly and shamelessly admiring her gorgeous husband as he showered.

He flicked water at her with his long fingers when he was nearly done, scolding, “Enough gawking. Go grab my clothes.”

Startled by the spray, Ivy finally snapped out of her trance. “All right, I’ll get them.”

She returned with his bathrobe and towel, but still didn’t leave.

Jamison nearly laughed out loud at her persistence. “Haven’t had enough yet?”

“I’m waiting for you to finish. I want to shower too,” Ivy replied, her big eyes all innocence and mischief.

He rolled his eyes, tossed the towel over her head, blocking her view, and strode out in his robe.

For several days afterward, Ivy was downright giddy.

Whenever Jamison was near, she was either grinning like a lovestruck fool, sneaking kisses, or blurting out her feelings–Dr. Ludwig, you’re so handsome. How did you turn out this good-looking, anyway?

Jamison felt like he was being stalked by a queen–one who was constantly finding new ways to make his heart race.