Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 56: Did He Change His Mind?

Chapter 56: Did He Change His Mind?

Jerica lay beneath the soft covers, her heart still drumming a steady, fervent rhythm as her mind drifted, her skin luminous from the intimacy she had just shared with Jared.

His hand rested over her, fingers tracing slow, delicate patterns along her bare skin. Each touch felt reverent, as though he were memorizing every curve and hollow, drawing her closer to him with a possessiveness she hadn’t felt in so long.

His eyes held a dark, simmering intensity, a look that spoke of both hunger and restraint, softening as he gazed down at her with something dangerously close to vulnerability.

Since she’d stepped into the gala that night, she had felt his eyes following her, tracing her form in a way that was novel for her. She thought he was made at her but he had looked at her as if she were something precious, a treasure he could barely wait to reach, his hunger barely hidden beneath the surface.

And when they’d left, he kept silent so that they could have their privacy as soon as possible. It was stupid of her to not realize it. Once they were alone, he’d swept her into his arms with a silent urgency that had left her breathless, as though each second apart had been a second too long.

Now, his hand slid from her shoulder, gliding down her side and over the curve of her waist, each calloused fingertip igniting sparks against her sensitive skin. The roughness of his touch sent shivers through her, his fingers lingering over small marks he’d left, marks that told the story of the night’s passion. He smirked, his thumb circling one, eyes flashing with a primal satisfaction that made her pulse race anew.

She felt his warmth wrap around her, felt enveloped in his strength, the protective heat of his body melting away all the doubts she’d harbored. His touch was a reminder of what they had, of the love that had survived everything they’d been through.

As his lips skimmed along her neck, the memory of the moments they’d just shared bloomed in her mind, a reminder of how intensely he had once been hers, how fiercely he still was.

"Did you know you could be hurt by a hickey?" she murmured, a playful glint in her eye. Her lips curled into a teasing smile, her fingers tracing gentle lines across his arm. "I read about someone getting paralyzed by one—or worse." She chuckled softly, watching his expression with mischief.

The flicker of shock in his eyes was priceless, his face paling as if she’d just whispered some ancient, hidden curse. She pressed her lips to his cheek, laughter dancing in her eyes as she brushed away his startled look.

His serious gaze softened, the sharp edges of his expression melting into something deeper, a fondness that spoke to years of quiet loyalty and care. He didn’t say anything, but the warmth in his eyes said more than words ever could, and she felt it wrap around her, filling the hollow places inside her heart that only he could reach.

In a gentle, unhurried motion, he tilted her face up, his eyes searching hers as though looking for something hidden, unspoken. And then, without a word, he kissed her, capturing her lips with a fervor that was both familiar and thrilling. It was a kiss that held the weight of every night they’d missed each other, of every unsaid word and every tender look, and she felt herself melting into him, surrendering to the warmth and the certainty that he was here, with her, in this moment.

His hand traveled down her back, pulling her closer as their bodies pressed together, heat building between them in waves. She wrapped her legs around him, feeling the electric warmth of his skin against hers, and in that embrace, there were no doubts, no distance—just the unspoken promise that they would always find their way back to each other.

-----.

The next morning, Jerica awoke to a warm, unexpected comfort. Jared’s arm lay across her, pulling her close, his body a shield against the early morning chill. She let her eyes adjust to the soft light seeping through the curtains, casting a warm haze around the room, and felt a rare smile tug at her lips.

For once, the sight of clothes scattered in disarray brought her no annoyance. Instead, they served as reminders of a night filled with connection she’d thought was lost. She nestled deeper against him, basking in the warmth of his steady presence, feeling utterly complete and blissful, cocooned in his embrace.

She allowed her mind to drift, a sense of satisfaction tinged with amusement as she wondered just how many times they’d made love. She’d lost track somewhere between the rush of kisses and gentle touches, where each moment blurred seamlessly into the next.

Was she supposed to count each time she reached that dizzying high? Or was it the number of times he reached the end mattered more?

Perhaps it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she felt like they’d reignited something long dormant, as though they’d finally returned to their honeymoon phase after so much distance.

As her gaze roamed around the room, her eyes fell on the small, empty trash can by the nightstand. Usually, after nights like the one they had, the trash can would be filled with reminders of his careful distance.

But today, it was conspicuously empty, a sight so unexpected it made her heart skip. Her mind whirled at the implication. Could it be that he’d changed his mind?

The thought sent a thrill racing through her. From the day they were married, he’d insisted on using protection, and at first, she hadn’t thought much of it. They were young, with all the time in the world to build a family. But as years slipped by, her heart ached more and more for the children she’d dreamed of.

Visions of a bustling home filled with laughter and love had been with her since she was a teenager. She had pictured herself as a mother surrounded by a large family, with little ones tugging at her sleeves and filling the rooms with joy.

But it seemed like he had no such plans.