The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback (Felicia and Max) novel Chapter 1097

"Is that so? You are quite impressive then," Felicia said. Despite her words of praise, her expression remained entirely flat.

Max smiled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "If your compliments are going to be that halfhearted, you might as well save your breath."

Felicia raised an eyebrow. "You were showing off so much. If I didn't at least humor you, would you have ever let it go?"

Max chuckled softly. "You only humored me with a single sentence."

Felicia sighed, shaking her head. "You really know how to push your luck."

Leading Thundercloud forward, Max closed the distance between them and leaned down slightly. The sheer proximity of the broad-shouldered man and the towering black stallion created a sudden, overwhelming sense of pressure that made Felicia instantly tense up. Before she could step back, his large hand settled firmly on her waist. He leaned in close to her ear, lowering his voice to a dark, husky whisper. "I much prefer pushing my luck when I am inside you."

A deep flush instantly rushed to her cheeks. She shoved his chest, shooting him a blistering glare, and turned on her heel to walk away. She had only taken two steps when her feet suddenly left the ground. "Max!" she gasped in shock.

He effortlessly swept her up into his arms and deposited her sideways onto the horse's back. With her legs dangling in the air and no footholds to brace against, the sheer height left her feeling intensely vulnerable. "Max, put me down right now," she demanded.

Instead of complying, Max swung himself up into the saddle right behind her. He took the reins in both hands, caging her securely within his arms. Gazing down at her rigid, nervous posture, the corners of his lips curved upward. "What are you so afraid of? Did you really think I would let you fall?"

Felicia turned her head to glare at him. "If you keep doing things like this, I will make a scene."

She stared into his eyes, which were brimming with quiet amusement. Having her arm wrapped around his waist made her entire body stiffen, her rigid fingers unsure of how to curl and grip him properly. Max could easily sense her discomfort. He squeezed the hand he was holding against his waist, his lips curving into a slow, lazy smile. "I am giving you such a perfect opportunity to hold me, and you don't even know how to appreciate it."

Felicia rolled her eyes. "I don’t want to appreciate this."

His smile deepened. "In that case, I will just let go."

True to his word, he slowly released her hand, took firm hold of the reins, and gently nudged the horse's flanks with his legs. As Thundercloud began a slow, steady walk forward, the rolling movement beneath them triggered Felicia's instinct for self-preservation, especially now that she was pregnant, her fingers subconsciously curled inward, gripping the fabric of his shirt tight at his waist. Feeling that faint, desperate grip against his side, Max softened. The sunlight filtering through the canopy highlighted the handsome, sharp contours of his face, lending him a rare look of profound tenderness.

Max guided Thundercloud at a leisurely pace along the shaded trail. The crisp scent of grass and earth hung in the air, while a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead. Accompanied only by the sweet chirping of birds, the world around them felt incredibly idyllic and serene. A comfortable silence settled between them, and Felicia's tense muscles gradually relaxed. Although she was practically pressed against him, she kept her posture upright, refusing to lean her full weight into his chest. Instead, she lifted her gaze, quietly watching the shimmering surface of the lake bordering the path. Max looked down at the woman in his arms. Beneath her long, sweeping eyelashes, her clear eyes were bright and remarkably calm. Looking at her from this angle, it was strikingly obvious that Anne had inherited her exact same features.