Rejected and Pregnant I Fled The Pack (Evelyn and Damon) novel Chapter 265

"Combat training footage," he said, something more serious entering his expression now. "I've been reviewing techniques, understanding I need to genuinely improve my capacity to actually protect you, given everything escalating throughout this current threat."

Something warm settled in my chest at that admission, appreciating exactly how thoroughly he continued channeling his own genuine concern into productive, dedicated preparation.

"You're already genuinely capable," I said quietly. "I've witnessed your protective instinct firsthand, multiple times throughout these past several difficult days."

"I want to be considerably more than simply capable," he said firmly. "I want to genuinely ensure I'm prepared for whatever this situation might still require, understanding the stakes have become genuinely significant."

I nodded, appreciating his continued dedication, though my eyes betrayed me once more, dropping briefly toward his chest before I forced them determinedly upward again.

He noticed, something amused flickering across his expression despite the serious conversation we'd just been navigating. "You're staring again," he observed, genuine warmth evident beneath his teasing tone.

"I'm not," I said quickly, though the obvious flush across my cheeks likely contradicted that claim rather thoroughly.

"You genuinely are," he said, something playful entering his voice now. "Should I actually put a shirt on, or does this represent acceptable distraction given everything difficult we're currently navigating?"

I felt my blush deepen considerably at that direct, teasing acknowledgment. "It's genuinely inappropriate," I said, though my own voice carried considerably less conviction than the statement probably required, "given everything serious currently happening."

"Perhaps," he agreed, though he made no immediate move to actually retrieve a shirt. "Though I confess, I don't genuinely mind you finding me distracting, particularly given everything overwhelming you've navigated these past several days. A small moment of lighter, genuine attraction seems reasonably appropriate amid such difficult circumstances."

I studied him, understanding the genuine wisdom in his gentle observation, appreciating that he'd apparently recognized my momentary distraction as something worth genuinely embracing rather than simply dismissing given our current, serious circumstances.

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