No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 842

As I curled up tighter on the couch, Ernest settled beside me, gently taking my hand. "Hey, feeling a little spooked?"

He hadn't really shared anything too terrifying-just some tales of negotiations he'd been part of and how the other side had tried to test him.

But it reminded me of those undercover cop movies, where the protagonist goes deep into enemy territory and has to prove their loyalty.

"Ernest," I murmured, "Can I have a hug?"

Earlier, I'd been a bit distant, so he was cautious, simply holding my hand, not daring to embrace me.

He scooted closer, and I nestled into his arms, wrapping mine around him tightly.

Ernest rubbed his chin on the top of my head, a familiar gesture that reassured me this was indeed my Ernest, not some impostor like Phipps.

My hand found its way under his shirt, roaming over his skin.

"Licia," Ernest's voice was tense, "I'm not hurt."

He knew what I was checking for, but I wanted to be sure. "Let me see."

chuckled, his eyes filled with an

I had a little one on the way, so

Ernest

and perfectly defined abs greeted my eyes, momentarily knocking

checking for injuries?" he gently

blush crept up my cheeks. "I am," I

some old scars. It seemed

pretty impressive," I admitted, my hands unconsciously tracing over his muscles. "The movies make it

texture was just

when we shared a bed, my hands always rested on those muscles; without them, I couldn't

since I'd

still, letting me

air around us grew warmer, quietly charged with

"I was worried you'd forget me and chase me out with

him a piece of my mind. But seeing him, despite the

up, learned to handle things

make up for it?" I teased, poking him