Page 10

“Those days,” he murmurs, “were the good days.”

I make a face, and…I wish I could tell you that he knows how to smile now.

But I can’t.

He still doesn’t smile, but his dark eyes still do gleam in amusement, and more often, too. It’s one of the rare changes that I’d like to think the past eighteen months have wrought in him, and every time I see it…

Oh, how it makes my heart race, and my stomach flutter⁠—

Huh?

Why is he getting up? Didn’t he promise we’d spend the whole day together?

“Is it your work? Are you⁠—”

I’m momentarily distracted when he takes my rod as well and slots it into the rod holder beside his.

“Ruel? Are you going⁠—”

Oh!

He’s swept me up in his arms in a blink, and the rest of my words die in my throat when I see the look on his beautiful face.

Gulp.

It’s a very familiar look, and it’s that look which has me all meek and unprotesting in his arms as he takes me to his cabin. My heart hammers against my chest as Ruel nudges the door open with his shoulder, and although this is far from the first time we’re together…

Ooooh.

I still feel shy and embarrassed when he captures my gaze as he starts undressing me. I still try looking away as he unbuttons my coat, and his dark eyes still gleam as he cups my chin to turn my face back to him.

The silence feels so loud between us as the coat slides off my shoulders and drops to the floor. I know it’s not possible, but I really feel he can hear how wildly my heart is beating against my chest, and by the time he pulls me close, and we’re skin to skin…

Aaaah.

His mouth covering mine still has my whole body burning in an instant, and all I can do is cling to him helplessly as the kiss deepens, and his hands start roaming my body. My back is on the bed, his touch gentle as he traces my lips, and then after that…

Oh, after that.

There are times when he’s not so gentle, times when he unleashes a side of him that’s just a little rougher and fiercer, just a little more possessive, and right now…

It’s one of those times, and all I can do is gasp his name out.

“Ruel!”

He takes me for a sensual ride that has me seeing stars, his every movement making my body tighten and writhe under his. And when I hear him grit my name out⁠—

“Karyna.”

That’s always what starts me spiraling. The sound of my name on his lips when he’s just about to —

“Come with me.”

Say that.

My husband wants us to be together when we’re at our most vulnerable. He wants us to reach for the same stars. And every time he asks me that⁠—

Yes, my love.