Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 72: The Gift He Kept Hidden

Chapter 72: The Gift He Kept Hidden

Jerica took the box from his hand, and when she opened it, her eyes widened at the sight of the glasses inside. The solid-gold-rimmed frames were beautiful, and elegant in a way that made her heart skip a beat.

"This is for me?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise. She couldn’t hide her astonishment at the lavish gift.

Jared nodded, his expression tender. "Matching mine," he said quietly, his voice holding a weight she couldn’t fully understand.

As Jerica took in the glasses, she noticed the subtle yet unmistakable design etched into the temples, a pattern that matched Jared’s. It was bespoke, and the Cartier symbol added an undeniable touch of luxury. She could tell it must have cost a lot, far more than anything she would have expected.

"You mind that I’m not wearing our wedding band," Jared said, his voice lowering. "I thought the matching glasses could be a replacement."

Jerica’s heart twisted at his words. She had been bothered by the empty ring finger, but the reality of it had slowly sunk in. She had wanted to leave him when he became so distant, when he seemed so aloof and unreachable. But now—now she saw him differently.

The changes in him, the ways he had started to open up to her, made her rethink everything. The ring didn’t matter anymore. Not now, not when they were facing something far bigger than a piece of jewelry.

She glanced at the box again, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the glasses. "It’s enough that I’m the only woman in your life, Jared," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of everything they had been through. "I’ll take this."

As she turned to leave, a sudden tug on her wrist made her stop. Jared’s hand was around her, pulling her toward him with a force that made her heart flutter. Before she knew it, she was spinning around in his arms, her body close to his, the warmth of him radiating through her.

"You are the only woman for me, Jerica," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms enveloping her as if he never wanted to let go. "I love you, Jerica. You’re the rest of my life."

His words, raw and heartfelt, pierced through her, dissolving the distance that had once seemed insurmountable. In that moment, it was just them—no past misunderstandings, no lingering doubts—just the profound certainty of his love.

Jared’s warm breath brushed against her neck, sending a familiar shiver down her spine. Her body tensed with anticipation, and she knew her intuition had been right: his love for her hadn’t wavered. His shaking voice revealed as much.

She leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender touch that spoke of longing and rediscovery.

In an instant, he swept her up, pressing her gently against the wall. His eyes searched hers, filled with a mix of passion and reverence. Their foreheads touched, the heat of their breaths mingling as his hands caressed hers, pinning them above her head. The room crackled with unspoken promises, and the air thickened with the weight of all that remained unsaid.

His kisses were deep and unhurried, tasting of everything familiar yet thrillingly new. Jerica felt her heart race beneath his touch as his hand brushed the hem of her shirt, sending warmth through her skin. Each caress was a testament to their bond, a silent vow of love that had endured.

Despite the intensity, Jerica knew her limits and an unspoken understanding passed between them. Jared lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed as her legs tightened around him instinctively, their lips never parting. He set her down with a tenderness that made her chest ache. His gaze locked with hers, eyes soft and full of longing.

He traced the bridge of her nose with his own, their breaths syncing as if they shared one heartbeat. The room around them seemed to fade, leaving only the gentle rise and fall of their bodies, the heat of shared closeness. She touched his cheek, feeling the subtle tremor that revealed just how deeply he was affected.

Jared’s eyes, dark with longing, met Jerica’s as their breathing synchronized. He hovered above her, eyes searching for any sign of hesitation. The warmth of their shared gaze spoke volumes—desire mixed with an understanding that transcended words. She reached for him, her hand brushing against the waistband of his sweatpants, feeling the heat of his body through the fabric.

When she touched his member, the unspoken connection between them was charged, intimate, a reminder of the passion that bound them.

He shuddered at her touch, a deep breath escaping his lips as he closed his eyes momentarily, savoring the sensation. Jerica’s heart thudded, not just from the thrill of their closeness but from the trust that had always defined their relationship. As she moved her hand slowly, deliberately, a tension built between them, raw and tender.

Jared’s forehead pressed gently against hers, and the room around them seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them, their shared warmth filling the space.

He opened his eyes, meeting hers with an intensity that spoke of restraint and longing. The slight tremble in his muscles told her everything she needed to know—he would pause if she wished, step back if she asked. But the quiet vulnerability in his eyes was a plea, one that mirrored her own desire to bridge the gap that life had imposed.

Jerica’s touch became more confident, and Jared’s response was instant—his breath quickened, his head tilting as he sought her lips again. The kiss was deep, insistent, a blend of need and reverence that left her dizzy.

Their movements aligned, a symphony of mutual affection and unspoken promises. He pulled her closer, his hands mapping familiar paths along her back, and the connection between them deepened with every shared heartbeat.

The tension peaked and Jared’s whispered sighs brushed against her ear as he slumped against her, spent and breathless. For a moment, neither moved, the room filled only with the sound of their ragged breathing and the thrum of their pulses. His lips found her neck, leaving a trail of tender kisses that made her smile, even as exhaustion settled over them.

A sudden realization jolted Jerica, and she gently pushed at his chest, her cheeks flushed. "I’m late," she murmured, the momentary panic cutting through the haze. Jared, still catching his breath, chuckled softly, his fingers tracing the side of her face before letting her go.

With a smile that held both love and mischief, she darted off the bed and hurried to the bathroom, the sound of his laughter following her, a reminder of the joy they had rediscovered in each other.