Chapter 568
Damien caught her staring, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he casually towel-dried his hair. “You want me?”
Jasmine flushed, instantly flustered at being called out so bluntly. “As if,” she huffed. “I’m just appreciating, okay? Can’t a woman admire her own husband’s body in peace?”
Right now, Jasmine was like an overly sensitive child, short-tempered, emotional, and prone to tears. Damien knew better than to push her buttons. Besides, there was no way she was escaping tonight. He’d been patient for three months, and it hadn’t been easy.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “Alright. Appreciate all you want.”
Taking her hand, he guided it to his abs. “Go ahead. Touch.”
Her fingers trembled slightly as they made contact. She pouted, then started running her hand over his torso, clearly getting way too into it. One more second and she might’ve buried her face there.
But after a moment, she stiffened. Something felt off.
Realizing what she was touching, she shifted awkwardly, yanked her hand back, and shoved it into her pocket like a guilty child.
Damien just looked at her, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Under that stare, Jasmine felt like her whole body had turned to jelly. She scrambled away in a panic, clutching her stomach. “No. We can’t.”
Damien ran his tongue slowly along his jaw, his eyes darkening with restraint. “Alright.”
That surprised her. He wasn’t usually this agreeable, not like him at all.
She shot him a suspicious glance, but he didn’t move. After a beat, she hesitantly scooted back over.
Damien pulled her into his lap but didn’t make a move. He was clearly waiting, waiting for her to come to him.
Jasmine sat on his thigh, still feeling restless. “Damien, I want ice cream. Come with me?”
He frowned. “You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be eating that.”
She puffed out her cheeks, sulking. “I don’t care. I want some.” To her, a few bites wouldn’t hurt.
Damien sighed in surrender. He changed clothes and took her out.
They walked, no car. Walking was good for expectant mothers, after all.
Even on such a casual outing, Jasmine’s status meant a small group of guards.
Outside a small ice cream shop, she ordered a cup of strawberry milk-flavored ice cream.
The weather in Xyperia varied by region.
In Baykeep, it was spring all year round, mild, pleasant, perfect for a late-night stroll.
As Jasmine spooned the ice cream into her mouth, the edge in her mood began to fade.
She dug in slowly, licking the spoon with obvious satisfaction.
Damien watched her in silence, throat bobbing slightly. When she had eaten more than half, he reached over and took the cup. “That’s enough.”
Jasmine pouted again, ready to argue, but then she thought of the baby. “Fine… Can I save the rest for tomorrow?”
He gave her a stern look. “No.”
Her eyes immediately welled up, and Damien softened. “It’s not good for the baby if it melts and you eat it later. I’ll bring you out for more next time, okay?”
“You better not go back on your word.”
“I won’t,” he said gently.
Only then did the tears retreat.
She mentally noted how effective this tactic was. Cry a little, and Damien folded like paper. It was practically her superpower.
They bought a few snacks on the way back, and she walked home with a satisfied smile.
But barely a few steps in, she suddenly said her legs hurt and wanted him to carry her.
Damien didn’t hesitate. He crouched down immediately. Under the moonlight, his figure looked tall, steady, and dependable.
Jasmine giggled and climbed on, happily swinging her legs as he carried her.
With Damien around, she was truly content. Still… she couldn’t help missing Shermaine.
Back home, Jasmine washed up and flopped onto the bed. A moment later, Damien came out of the bathroom in his sleepwear and lay down beside her.
Normally by this hour, she’d be fast asleep the second her head hit the pillow.
But tonight, sleep refused to come. That restless buzz was back again, humming low in her body like a fuse about to spark.
She tossed and turned, rolling over to face Damien. She could feel the warmth radiating from him and hear the steady rhythm of his breathing. She bit her lip, trying to hold herself together.
Damien noticed her shifting and pulled her into his arms. “Stop wriggling.”
She nudged her foot against his thigh, slow and deliberate, but he didn’t even twitch.
‘Seriously?’ she thought, annoyed. ‘You’re really just going to lie there like a saint? I’m literally throwing myself at you. What more do you need? Fine, I’ll let you have me, just this once.’
She tried again, brushing up against him, just a little bolder this time.
There was still no reaction from him.
Jasmine gave up with a frustrated sigh. But the heat in her body had built up too much to ignore. She held out as long as she could until finally, she couldn’t anymore. She clung to Damien like she was melting into him. “Baby… kiss me,” she whispered.
He opened his eyes at last, and even in the dark, she could see the smirk in them, calm, satisfied, like he’d been waiting her out.
Jasmine leaned in and kissed him. It was awkward and hesitant, the way someone might kiss for the very first time.
Damien rolled on top of her, trapping her beneath him with ease. “You know,” he murmured, voice low and teasing, “you came to me."
Her eyes shimmered, breath catching. “I know… now shut up and kiss me already.”
He didn’t hesitate. His lips met hers, slow at first, deepening with every second.
He’d gone three months keeping himself in check, pulling back every time things got too heated. But not tonight.
Tonight, he let go.
Chapter 568
Even in his hunger, he was careful, never putting pressure on her belly, never letting instinct override tenderness.
The kiss went on and on, stealing her breath and scattering her thoughts. Jasmine’s whole body trembled under the weight of sensation, it had been so long since she’d felt anything this intense. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
That restless, maddening energy that had been tormenting her finally began to ease, but it still wasn’t enough.
She was too sensitive. Every time Damien touched her, her body reacted like it had a mind of its own, softening, giving in, unraveling.
He caught her hand as she pressed it to his chest and gently pinned it above her head. His lips left hers, then wandered lower, scattering kisses down her neck like falling stars.
His hand found her waist, fingers brushing her side before giving it a light pinch.
She flinched, breath catching in her throat.
Damien laughed softly. “That sensitive?”
Jasmine shot him a glare, cheeks flushed. “You’ve clearly never been with a pregnant woman.”
“Guess not,” he murmured, letting his palm rest against her belly. “You’re the only one I’ve ever had. If something feels wrong, you have to tell me. Okay?”
Her face went even redder, but she nodded.
Outside, the moon hung bright and full in the night sky. A slow-moving cloud drifted in, covering it like a curtain drawn over something too private, too intimate to be seen.
In Avalmere, by the time Mireya finished her examination, the hospital was quiet again. There was no sign of the wolf.
He was gone.
Plenty of people had seen the white wolf escort her to the hospital earlier. The rumor spread fast. Staff and patients alike had been whispering, asking when she’d started keeping a wolf for a pet, one so intelligent it almost seemed human.
Mireya didn’t answer. She knew the truth. He was a werewolf.
Roy had left. He had no choice.
He was something else now, something monstrous. There was no way he could face Molly, not looking like that.
Worse still, his body hadn’t fully healed. Without the suppressant, he’d lose control and anyone who got close would be in danger.
Going back to Wallington was out of the question.
He had no ID or passport. If his identity were exposed, Faye would be on him in a heartbeat.
It had taken everything he had to escape. There was no way he’d risk going back.
He could reach out to his family, but Roy didn’t think it was worth it, not with what he’d become.
Sometimes, he thought it might’ve been better if he’d just died.
Chapter 569