Tabitha quickly changed in the airport's family restroom. She gripped the hem of her black coat, clenching it over and over.She had specifically chosen this style; it was the most inconspicuous.Once dressed, she pulled the wide-brimmed wool hat extremely low. A surgical mask covered most of her face. Even that small, tell-tale mole near her eye was hidden in shadow.Anyone who glanced at her would just see a typical traveler catching an early flight. No one would guess she was the person Derek was desperate to find.Outside the airport, people had already gathered. There was Derek's security team, media reporters who'd caught wind of the news, and a few business people looking for a partnership.Knowing he was returning, black Lincoln sedans lined half the street. Their headlights glared brightly in the morning fog.Derek stopped before he reached the exit. His knuckles were white where he gripped his suitcase handle. His gaze was glued to Tabitha; he couldn't tear his eyes away."T
Tabitha's lip twitched. Derek's words implied she had a huge appetite for that sort of thing."Ahem, rest assured, I'm not as promiscuous as you think," she said.For her, survival had always been the priority. Later on, it was all about her children.From beginning to end, such desires had been the least of her concerns.Over the years, Derek was the only man she had been with.She was constantly busy and had no time for such thoughts.If it weren't for Derek reigniting her desires, Tabitha would never have made such a preposterous yet mutually logical request.With the terms set, Derek got up and grabbed her ankle, leaning down to kiss from her foot up.A jolt of electricity ran through Tabitha's body. "Stop it, it's dirty," she said.Even in the past, Derek had never done this."How could my treasure ever be dirty?" he said.His wet, soft kisses traveled over every inch of her skin. Her toes curled, and
Derek packed up the fish they caught last night, which would serve as provisions for the next stop.With their gear sorted, Derek stood at the cave entrance, backpack on, casting a glance back as if reluctant to leave.Tabitha, ahead, said coldly, "Aren't we going?"Derek snapped back, "Let's go."He knew he'd never forget this place.On the second night, with no shelter in sight, Derek made do with a vine-woven hammock. The two squeezed into a sleeping bag, gazing up at the star-filled sky—an experience entirely new to both."Tabitha, I've realized this is the life I truly want," Derek said.He was tired of his chaotic past and craved a more intimate, peaceful life.But Tabitha stayed silent; this wasn't what she wanted.For Derek, just being able to hold her was enough.He kissed her forehead. "No more fuss tonight. Sleep, honey."Tabitha was a treasure he'd worked hard to regain, and he vowed never
Derek chuckled silently. "Tabitha, I just want to massage your waist a bit.""Massage what? If you keep this up, the sky'll be light. Go to sleep!" she demanded.Was this man made of iron?Derek buried his head in her neck, feigning wronged. "Tabitha, I'm too happy to sleep. I'm scared it's a dream. If it is, when I wake up, you'll be gone—just like in the countless dreams I've had over the past three years. So real, yet you vanished at dawn.""Are you a fool? Can't tell reality from a dream?" she retorted."If a kiss from you could clear my confusion, then I'd know for sure. You never kiss me in my dreams," he said."Will you sleep after a kiss?" she asked.Derek nodded earnestly. "Mm, I will."She planted a quick peck on his cheek. "There. Now, close your eyes and sleep.""Tabitha, that kiss lacked sincerity. I won't be able to sleep. I'll lie awake in the late hours, reflecting on whether I didn't do something r
She was pretty sure Derek was doing this on purpose. If he had the time and mood to make a double bed, why couldn't he have made it wider?At just four feet wide, the bed was a tight squeeze for two people, especially with Derek's near-six-foot-tall, muscular frame.There was no way around it—Tabitha had to snuggle up to him; otherwise, she'd be hugging the ground.The sleeping bag, now as a blanket, covered them. Beneath it, both of them were completely bare, feeling every detail of each other's skin, warmth, and contours.Truth was, even in their honeymoon days, they hadn't been this close.Back then, Derek had been so restrained, suppressing his nature even in bed.After years of sleeping alone, Derek often thought about going back in time to slap some sense into his past self.Now, there was no restraint.Derek held Tabitha's waist from behind and whispered contentedly, "Tabitha, I'm really happy.""Don't celeb
Derek's physique was a world apart from those gym-sculpted bodies, and the scars he bore added a touch of primal intensity.Before Tabitha knew it, he was right in front of her, his hands braced on either side of her.She was seated, and he stood, slightly bent, his shadow enveloping her."What're you lookin' at?" he asked.Tabitha averted her gaze like a caught kid.If Derek knew her thoughts, he'd surely tease her endlessly."Uh, nothing," she said.Derek inched closer, trapping her in his space.The water droplets on his skin glistened in the firelight.Sensing her fluster, he let out a low, magnetic chuckle.Then, in a husky whisper by her ear, he said, "I'm yours and yours alone. You can look and touch anytime you like."Recalling her past boldness, he guided her hand to his abdomen. "Remember how you used to love this?"Tabitha's face flushed crimson. In the early days of their marriage, she'd