Chapter 203

Joshua couldn’t get over how fairly Shermaine initiated their kisses. He knew Shermaine was usually calm and emotionally restrained, but every now and then, she could be surprisingly forthright. Though she never showed it through words or actions, she actually enjoyed it whenever he kissed her. But humans were greedy creatures. He wanted Shermaine to make more exceptions for him. Why shouldn’t she?

Shermaine slightly raised her eyebrows, then without hesitation cupped Joshua’s face and leaned in to kiss him. Not just once. She planted kiss after kiss—first on his forehead, then his eyes, his cheeks, and finally those thin lips of his.

Joshua was over the moon–he honestly hadn’t expected this. ‘Looks like Shermaine really does like it when I play piano,’ he thought, a smile tugging at his lips.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as his eyes darkened with desire. He had no trouble remembering the melody of the piece he’d just improvised. With a deepening smile, Joshua returned to his playing. After a while, Shermaine’s hands joined his on the keys, and they began playing a duet.

Whether it was the haunting, lingering improvised melody, or the lurking wolf finally losing patience, Joshua’s kisses were feather-light, as gentle as a breeze, yet burning with undeniable intensity. Joshua lifted her from the piano bench, his arm sliding around Shermaine’s waist as their lips remained locked, guiding them toward the bed in a slow, deliberate motion.

Shermaine gazed up at the glaring chandelier, its brightness almost blinding. Moments later, a shadow loomed over her–Joshua’s lips descended upon hers again. She truly loved the sensation of Joshua’s kisses. And when she kissed him back, his kisses became even more intense, almost desperate. This time, Shermaine could clearly feel him losing control.

Shermaine thought, ‘We’re already married–some things just can’t be helped. The moon is beautiful tonight, the mood is perfect… why put on the brakes now? Wait, my period is supposed to come any day now… Could it start tonight? Probably not–I’m usually right on schedule.’ But as luck would have it, her period arrived early.

The cramps hit hard. Shermaine realized she needed to excuse herself to the bathroom to take care of it immediately. ‘Ah, the joys of womanhood,’ Shermaine thought to herself. She had always been careful about her health.

Chapter 203

"Jos…" Shermaine was about to say something, her voice barely above a whisper. But Joshua cut her off, leaning in to whisper huskily in her ear, “Sheary, I want you.”

Shermaine pursed her lips and said softly, “Not now, I…” But he tightened his hold on her, cutting her off with a murmur, “I can’t hold back.”

Shermaine thought, ‘You don’t have to say it–I can already tell.’ Several vivid hickeys stood out starkly against her slender neck. Completely losing control, Joshua left no room for refusal. No sooner had the words left his lips than his mouth crashed onto hers again, his kisses searing, his hands wandering restlessly over her body.

Maybe it was because Shermaine’s period had just started, but her body was unusually sensitive. The moment Joshua touched her waist, she went completely limp–her hands were so weak she couldn’t even push him away, let alone kick him off.

She thought, ‘I’m no saint–it’s not like I’m immune to feelings. If Joshua insists on having his way, fine. After all, he’ll be the one suffering in the end, not me.’

Then Joshua froze mid-action, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gazed at Shermaine. After two seconds of heavy silence, he carefully adjusted her nightgown, rolled off the bed, and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her straight to the walk-in closet to fetch her fresh undergarments and a sanitary pad, then headed to the bathroom.

The bathroom door slammed shut. Joshua’s eyes still burned with unspent passion, his body echoing the same burning need. But given the circumstances, even his desperate desire to devour her completely stood no chance of being fulfilled. He stood there in silence for a moment, then turned and went downstairs to make her some sugar water–a traditional remedy for period cramps.