The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 45

At the crack of dawn, Clara was half-asleep, feeling as if her body was being roasted over a fire. Rhys's arm was draped heavily across her waist, his breath warm against the hollow of her neck, and his hands were roaming familiarly under her pajamas.

Clara shifted, only to be held tighter. "Rhys!" Her voice was raspy as she tried to push his head away from her neck. "What are you doing?"

Rhys buried his face in her hair, lightly biting her earlobe and grinding his teeth in a punishing nip. "Morning exercise."

Clara clenched her jaw. Last night they had parted on bad terms over the ring, and this morning he was initiating intimacy as if nothing had happened. In his logic, there was probably no conflict that a sex couldn't solve. If there was, he'd just add overtime.

"I'm tired..."

"You don't have to move."

Rhys turned her face toward him and kissed her lips. For Clara, this wasn't a pleasurable interaction, yet she couldn't resist it. She felt like a small boat tossed in a storm. The more forceful he was, the more panicked she felt.

When it was over, Rhys's mood had visibly improved. He carried Clara to the bathroom to clean up and even took the time to blow-dry her hair. "Get ready. After breakfast, I'll take you to pick out a ring."

Rhys ran his fingers through her long hair, looking at the flushed woman before him, and his lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Clara dug a high-necked cashmere sweater out of the closet and put it on, covering herself completely.

"Do we have to go today?" she asked.

"Yes. While I have time this morning. I have to go back to the station this afternoon. Busy."

Busy, busy, always busy.

When they went downstairs, Old Mr. Huntington was reading the newspaper. Hearing them, he glanced up. "Up late."

Rhys pulled out a chair for Clara, then sat beside her, looking completely unbothered. "I woke up late. It has nothing to do with Clara."

The experienced adults at the table exchanged meaningful glances. Mia smoothed things over. "Rhys didn't get back until the middle of the night. A little late doesn't matter. Eat up, Clara."

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