Chapter 122

Noah's gaze followed Hannah as she moved past him, her hips swaying in that alluring way that always dried his mouth. The scent of her light, floral shampoo wafted toward him, stirring his wolf's interest despite his efforts to suppress it. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he watched her disappear through the heavy oak doors into the crowded ballroom. Even now, after all this time, he couldn't deny his visceral attraction to her. His body ached for her, craved the taste of her skin and the warmth of her lips. It had been so long since they had been intimate, and it might never happen again.

Noah closed his eyes, drawing a slow, steadying breath as the memory of learning about Hannah's condition resurfaced. The family doctor frowned as he reviewed her medical reports, pushing his wire-rimmed glasses higher on his nose. "You understand her condition?" the doctor asked, glancing at Noah. "How frail her body is?"

Noah nodded stiffly. "I'm aware."

The doctor hummed, tapping his pen against the manila folder. "Then I trust you'll exercise discretion regarding intimate matters. Given her frailty, I strongly advise against sex outside her ovulation window."

The words left Noah dumbfounded. "You mean…"

"Yes. Lubrication will be unlikely outside that window," the doctor explained. "Her vagina will be too tight, making intercourse incredibly painful. Only initiate sex during those times if you want to avoid that…"

Noah's hands clenched at his sides as the memory faded, his jaw clenching hard enough to grind his teeth. For years, he'd followed that warning, avoiding Hannah's bed outside her fertile periods, sleeping instead in his office study. So many nights had been spent on that wretched sofa, his back and hips aching. All to protect her, to spare her harm.

But now, considering her recent behavior, those precautions might have been unnecessary. She seemed far more aroused than he'd expected, and their monthly intimacy had already passed. Had the doctor been mistaken?

His gaze returned to the ballroom doors, focusing on the spot where Hannah had vanished. Even from a distance, his wolf felt the magnetic pull toward her. Maybe he could finally have a chance. He wouldn't need to fear getting too close, because perhaps she wouldn't experience the pain and discomfort he'd anticipated.

Noah raked his fingers through his hair, gritting his teeth against the insistent throb between his legs as he headed back to the ballroom. The sensation had been easily ignored before, when he thought intimacy was impossible, but now… Goddess, he could practically smell her pheromones. He could picture her flushed cheeks, her flared nostrils.

A low growl rumbled in Noah's chest as he gritted his teeth harder, fighting the erection straining against his pants. Perhaps, he mused with a scowl, it was because Hannah's figure had filled out so tantalizingly. She'd gained a little weight, and it suited her. Her hips and breasts… Goddess, they looked bigger lately. Had she started taking supplements?

Noah shook his head sharply, chastising himself. Not now, he thought. But perhaps later… Yes, perhaps later they could talk. And maybe some lovemaking was all they needed to rekindle their love.

For now, Noah smoothed his hands over his suit jacket and re-entered the ballroom just as the Luna Queen finished her toast. His gaze swept over the crowd, searching for…