When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 42: Her touch

Liam’s POV

Clad in that white bathrobe with a flushed skin, she dazzled my eyes, and for a moment, I forgot everything else, the reason I was there.

As I closed in on her, my focus narrowed to the fear etched across her face. Was she scared of me? I thought, forgetting I was in disguise until she asked, "Who are you?"

That was when I realized she couldn’t recognize me. A smile tugged on my lips, my mischievous self tempting me to play with her a little, to see how she’d save herself if I were an enemy.

I saw her step back and I followed. Her gaze darted around the living room and then stopped on a vase. It was far from her, but she stylishly changed her steps and began moving toward it.

Once I found out what she intended to do, I almost chuckled. If I could notice, an enemy would too. I had easily bribed a worker to let me in, if someone was after her life, this place couldn’t offer her protection.

Suddenly, I felt my annoyance surge, and I asked her to leave with me. I didn’t trust Kristen would go out of his way to provide her better security, which only amplified my belief that Kristen was using her.

When she asked me how I knew of Kristen’s accident, I instantly cooked up a tale, at the same time, leaving a subtle message, hoping she’d start to suspect Kristen, but she didn’t seem to care about the hospital he chose to stay in.

And then, out of nowhere, she asked if I had a hand In what happened to him. If I had, he wouldn’t have survived it. But that question made me realize one thing; Jessica didn’t know me at all. I felt a stab of pain in my heart. But I couldn’t blame her. After all, she tried to get to know me, but I failed her.

Which was why, when she agreed to start over with me, on the condition that we signed a contract, I didn’t hesitate. I’ll make her fall in love with me again. I’ll go all out if need be...

But then, when I read the terms she wanted on the contract, I choked on my saliva, but didn’t dare voice out my disagreement.

She didn’t want to live under the same roof as me, she wanted our relationship to remain hidden, intimacy was strictly off limits, no meddling in her matters - who she made friends with, the kind of friendship or relationship she has with them ... The list went on. The more I read, the more frustrated I became, but I could only nod.

But I was happy with one thing; she agreed to move out of Kristen’s penthouse. At least, she finally caved in. It was a good start. I believed.

She urged me to leave afterwards, saying she needed to get ready for her classes, but I didn’t move an inch. I wanted to help her pack her bags and take her to school.

She didn’t disagree, and it warmed my heart. She wasn’t so cold towards me anymore, I could feel it.

While she got ready, I busied myself, packing her bags. Until she got an apartment, her luggages would be at her friend’s place. That was the agreement. Although it didn’t favor me, and I didn’t like it, I accepted it. I couldn’t push her too much, otherwise I might lose her forever.

As I drove her to school, after stopping at her friend’s place, I couldn’t stop the silly smile from teasing my lips. It was almost unbelievable that my woman was sitting beside me, no fights, no hostility. Although we didn’t talk, I was content. Until she broke the silence, startling me with the question I thought she’d asked me before.

"Where’s your Zoey?"

From the tone, I could tell she was heading for a fight. But I couldn’t let that happen.

"Have you gotten tired of all those curves of hers?" And then, her voice grew thick with hatred. "...and I’m sure she had your babies from the numerous times you two committed adultery."

The manner at which she put forth the question was alarming. It caught me off guard, and for a moment, I stared dumbly at her. That was when the memory of what Zoey said into my phone call with Jessica crossed my mind.

I was sure that Jessica was referring to that time. So I knew I had to address that and clear the air, but the moment I denied having sex with Zoey, she blew up like a volcano.

Getting her to believe I never had sex with Zoey wasn’t easy but she finally did, lifting the heavy weight off my chest. But she wasn’t done. And I was grateful she brought up the little schemes I failed to notice at that time, which also meant that Jessica never ordered the maid to poison Zoey.

Zoey must have framed Jessica, I thought.

I almost brought that up, but decided against it at the last moment. It was a strong allegation. If I did, she might think I was taking Zoey’s side again. One of the most important things I took from this conversation with Jessica, was that she hated it when I defended Zoey. And also, such gestures created or deepened our misunderstandings.

When she blamed me for our child’s death, it felt as if oxygen was knocked out of my lungs. It was almost unbearable because she didn’t lie. I indeed caused our child’s death. I choked when I apologized to her, oblivious to the tears hanging around my eyes.

That was when I saw her face cover my view and before I knew it, our lips were locked.

My spirit flew out of me for a few seconds. I thought I was dreaming, until her hands began to roam my body.

Fuck!

I couldn’t help it, couldn’t keep my hands to myself and also explored. Deepening the kiss, I felt her soft, full lips. She’s always been a clumsy kisser, even now.

But there was allure in how clumsy she was that made me hungry for more. It reminded me she was still the woman I married. It told me she remained single for two years, even though she signed the divorce.

I was grateful she didn’t find any man worthy of her body. I was happy she remained untainted by Kristen.

At that moment, my resolve to protect my woman grew. I could no longer tell it apart from obsession.

I couldn’t savor every inch of her body before she pulled away, noticing the changes in my physique.

I was surprised she remembered my appearance, given our loveless past. Despite the stress she endured, mentally, physically, and psychologically, she knew my body intimately.

This realization unsettled the peace growing within me. It dawned on me that I could die before experiencing the bliss Jessica promised.

Her gaze lingered on my face, seeking answers for why I’d grown thinner, but I couldn’t reveal my illness. Instead, I fabricated another story, diverting attention from my medical record.

Ironically, I found myself sharing most of what I knew about Kristen. Yet, despite my revelations, Jessica seemed unmoved.

This indifference sparked a realization in me: she wasn’t one to believe rumors without concrete proof. I noted that at the back of my mind, vowing to expose Kristen’s true nature to her.

But for now, I refused to let Kristen’s shadows ruin the moment. My wife had just reawakened a longing I’d suppressed for over two years.

I wasn’t willing to let it slip away. The taste of what I’d been missing for so long was too sweet to abandon.

Her lips, her touch...

But when I focused on her, she was lost in thought, her mind a thousand miles away. The look on her face when I called her attention was cute, a mixture of surprise and vulnerability that tugged at my heart.

Before she could finish her words, I leaned in and sealed her lips with mine, silencing her.

My hands didn’t wait; they began to explore her curves, tracing the contours of her body.

Her hips appeared fuller than I remembered, and her breasts... I couldn’t help but notice how voluptuous they felt beneath my touch.

An electrifying sensation coursed through my veins as I felt their softness, even through the fabric of her bra.

I was desperate to explore, to feel her skin...

My hand slipped further, snaking into her blouse to feel her bare skin on my palm.

The contact sent shivers down my spine, igniting a desire that couldn’t be ignored.

Just as I fondled her, she jerked away like a startled cat, her wide eyes locked onto mine. I froze, my mouth opening and closing in surprise, wondering if I had crossed a boundary.

"D– don’t take a mile when you’ve just been given an inch," she said, her voice cracked, laced with embarrassment.

Her face was flush, evidence that she must be praying for the earth to open up and swallow her. Suddenly, she unlocked the door and bolted out, leaving me stunned.

I sat there, mouth agape, watching her flee like a teenager who’d just experienced her first kiss.

A deep throated laughter vibrated in my chest when I realized she wasn’t angry; she was embarrassed.

And maybe, just maybe, a little excited.

Read latest chapters at f(r)eewebnov𝒆l Only