Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 54: Rekindled Fire

Chapter 54: Rekindled Fire

"Hmm," Jerica murmured, her lips brushing his ear as her fingers found the clasp of her bra. She caught the way his gaze followed her hands, a flash of heat in his eyes, his breathing unsteady as he pulled her to him, his hands sweeping down the arch of her back.

Jerica could barely think as he undid the clasp, his fingers slipping the straps from her shoulders, and a thrill shot through her as he took her in, his eyes raking over her with barely contained passion.

Jerica’s fingers trailed downward, slipping beneath his trousers’ waistband, feeling his skin’s smooth warmth beneath her touch. His breath caught, a faint tremor moving through him, and the intensity of his gaze grew as his own hands settled over her hips, grounding her as he lowered her to the bed with care, yet a barely contained hunger.

Each touch felt electric, as though they were relearning each other, discovering the unspoken language written in the curves and lines of their bodies.

Jared’s lips moved over her collarbone, tasting the tender skin along her shoulder, his mouth warm and sure. She arched into him, her fingers finding purchase against the firm muscles of his shoulders, reveling in the unyielding strength there. The warmth of his mouth and the steady trail of his hands roamed with a rhythm that made her lose all sense of where she began and he ended, a current of energy building between them as he continued to touch, to taste, to explore.

He moved, his hands shifting to cradle her, the depth of his gaze searing into her own as though she was the only thing he could see, the only thing he wanted. His lips traced the edge of her jaw, grazing down to the sensitive hollow just below her ear, sending a shiver of pleasure that curled and coiled deep within her, unfurling in waves that made her toes curl.

Her fingers sank into his hair, tugging gently, urging him closer as her lips found his again, hungry and unrelenting. His mouth moved with hers, drawing from her every bit of desire and fervor she’d kept locked away, stoking the flames until she was nearly dizzy from the intensity.

He pressed his forehead to hers, his breath mingling with her own as he gently pushed a few loose strands of hair away from her face, his gaze softening as his fingers traced her cheek.

Their eyes met, and she saw a tenderness there that left her breathless, a vulnerability beneath the desire that made her heart race even faster. She reached up, her hand brushing over his cheek, her thumb tracing along the line of his jaw. He closed his eyes at her touch, and she felt him sigh, almost as if he, too, had been waiting for this longer than either of them could say.

The heat between them reignited with a fierceness as his hand moved along her body, each touch sparking a new wave of warmth and passion, and as he continued to press soft kisses against her skin, Jerica felt herself lose all sense of time, of space, consumed by the fire that seemed to burn brighter with each touch, each lingering glance.

The stillness of the room was filled only by the soft, staggered rhythm of their breaths, mingling as the heat between them intensified. Every rustle of fabric felt electric, a gradual unveiling of vulnerability, each piece slipping away until nothing remained between them but the warmth of skin against skin. His hands explored her body, sliding with slow, practiced ease along her curves, igniting sensations that made her gasp and arch into his touch.

Their bodies pressed closer, guided by an instinctive rhythm, a movement that felt both tender and hungry, as though they had been holding back, waiting for this precise moment. His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining with a grip that was both possessive and grounding, binding them as they moved together. Each shared gaze, each touch seemed to speak the unspoken, to unravel the layers they’d built around themselves.

With every shift, she felt him filling her completely, their bodies finding an intimate harmony. It was a dance of need and surrender, a silent communication that pulsed between them, speaking the things they had never voiced. He held her gaze, his eyes darkened with intensity, his breath coming faster as he wrapped her legs around him, drawing her closer until they moved in perfect synchrony.

The sensations built steadily, waves of heat rolling over her as he pressed deeper, his hands exploring, claiming, tracing lines down her spine and over her hips. Each thrust left her breathless, her heart racing as he pulled her deeper into this shared passion, the boundary between them blurring until she could no longer tell where she ended, and he began.

As the night deepened, the fire between them only grew, rekindled by each kiss and every whispered caress until they were both left trembling, gasping as they rode the final crest together. Spent, they lay in the quiet stillness that followed, their bodies still entwined, sharing the warmth and contentment of finally, truly becoming one after a long time.

----

The grand Braddock mansion exuded its usual, ostentatious elegance, every polished surface and rich fabric a testament to wealth and power. By the grand piano, Noel Braddock swirled the amber scotch in his glass, lost in thought. The soft tinkling of the chandelier lights cast an almost eerie glow across his face, heightening his look of quiet contemplation. Hannah entered the room, a tall glass of wine in her hand, and scoffed as she took in the scene. Her sharp gaze landed on Harold, who sat on the plush sofa with a scowl, watching his mother with thinly veiled contempt.

When Harold saw her stagger slightly, already tipsy, his patience snapped. He stood, making his way toward the door without a word. Every time he looked at her, the resentment flared anew—resentment born from learning the truth of why Jerica had left him, of the underhanded schemes that had cost him the only woman he’d ever truly loved. And the memory of Jared pulling her from the gala tonight, his face twisted in anger, haunted him. It left him uneasy, wondering if she was safe.

He shouldn’t have sent that picture to Jared. What if he hurt Jerica out of jealous rage?

But Jared barely made it two steps before Hannah’s voice, shrill and commanding, stopped him.

"Don’t take another step!" she barked, her voice slurred but unwavering. "Do you honestly think she still feels anything for you? You saw how heartless she was tonight. Parading herself around, acting like she could cleverly dodge introducing that lowlife husband of hers." She sneered.