Chapter 0324

Without a word, he slipped out of the room. Only then, once I heard the door click shut, did I dare to turn.

I finished my bath, my skin tingling from both the hot water and the lingering sensation of Noah’s touch. Wrapping myself in a fluffy robe, I stepped back into the bedroom to find Noah preparing a bed on the couch again.

“I can take the couch tonight,” I offered, feeling guilty. “You slept there last night.”

Noah shook his head firmly. “I’m not letting my pregnant wife sleep on a couch. It’s not good for your back.”

“Well, it’s not good for your back, either,” I countered. After a moment’s hesitation, I added quietly, “You can sleep with me. The bed’s big enough for both of us.”

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Will you bite me again?”

I rolled my eyes, turning on my heel. “No, I won’t bite you. Promise.” Exhaustion was finally hitting me, so I quickly dried off, brushed my teeth, and did my nighttime skincare routine before pulling the covers back and climbing into bed. Noah was already there, staring blankly at the ceiling.

I shivered slightly as I nuzzled down beneath the covers. The house was chilly tonight, and it was even more pronounced after that hot bath. I craved warmth. Or at least, that was what I told myself—that it was just the temperature and not my own loneliness that made me ask my next question.

“Could you… hold me?”

Noah lifted his head, eyeing me suspiciously. “If you’re going to bite me—”

“Nevermind,” I huffed, flipping over onto my other side.

Sighing, Noah hesitated for a moment before his arm wrapped around me. I stiffened for a moment, not having expected him to actually do it. But as I began to relax, I instinctively nestled against him, his familiar scent tickling something deep inside my brain. That damned arousal stirred again, and I silently cursed these pregnancy hormones for messing with my head.

But as Noah shifted slightly, I realized it wasn’t just my body that was a traitor tonight. I could feel him hardening against my back.

I couldn’t help myself. My back arched slightly of its own accord, my hips driving backwards against him. I swore I could hear a low growl rumble somewhere in his chest. This was bad, I knew, but…

It was the pregnancy hormones. It was easier if I just kept blaming it on that.

Slowly, his hand trailed down over my belly, and I had to fight the urge to lean into his touch. His breath brushed my neck as he whispered, “Do you need another release? I read it’s good for pregnant women.”

The spell was broken. I gasped, slapping his hand away and flipping over to pin him to the bed by his shoulders.

“You…” I started angrily, but then I saw the mischievous smirk on his face in the moonlit room. He was messing with me. “Prick,” I muttered, flopping back onto my side.

“What?” he asked, chuckling lowly. “I was only half joking. It is good for pregnant women to orgasm regularly.” He paused, then trailed a burning path along my waist with his fingers. “You know how good I am with my hands.”

I felt my face burn even hotter, heat spreading down my neck. “Noah!” I hissed, half-scandalized, half-tempted—even though I wouldn’t admit that latter part.

“I’m just messing with you.”

“Good. You’d better be.” But as I lay there, my back pressed against Noah’s chest, there was a part of me that was strangely… disappointed that he was only teasing. It would be too easy to give in, to let him touch me, to lose myself in the pleasure. I knew it would only complicate things further, but…

Damn. I was lonely.