?Chapter 1168:


    Chris’ expression darkened as confusion overtook his features. “Did something happen? Tell me what’s wrong,” he asked quietly.


    “It’s not that I’m unprepared.” Maia hesitated as the words left her mouth, knowing they might bruise Chris’ ego. She couldn’t exactlye out and say, “Chris, you’re not in the right shape for this. You’ll end up with a headache, so maybe we should just leave it for another night.”


    She needed to make things clear. Her heart wanted to keep moving forward, but her mind urged caution. What mattered most right now was Chris, and she wasn’t about to risk his well-being for anything. Everything else could stay on hold until after his surgery, once he was safe and fully healed.


    “We’re married, but tonight feels too soon. Maybe we should slow down,” Maia said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Closing the distance, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “I want our first night together toe after the wedding you promised me. Let’s make it special when you’re back to full strength,” she murmured.


    Once the words left her mouth, Maia let go of him, and her entire face flushed a deep, burning red.


    Heat climbed her cheeks like steam building in a kettle. She lowered her gaze to her fingers for a moment, but her eyes drifted andnded on Chris’ lower abdomen. It rose gently, like a small hill beneath the fabric.


    Maia froze, quietly wondering if all of this might make him ufortable. She looked back at Chris, worry filling her eyes.


    Chris smiled softly, warmth in his voice. “Whatever you decide, I’ll always stand by it. You’re right, sweetheart.” He drew her close, his arms around her, his touch feather-light. “We’ll save it for the perfect night. But until then… will you let me fall asleep holding you?” His tone turned almost yful, barely above a whisper.


    Maia nodded, her reply just as gentle. “I’d like that, too. Let’s just hold each other tonight.”


    Their embrace stayed careful—each of them afraid of crossing a line or causing harm. She worried about his blood pressure; he worried they might be rushing something meant to be savored.


    Discover updates g?lησν???s


    Even though they were only holding each other, their breaths grew uneven all over again.


    Her instincts pulled in one direction while her logic pulled in the other, neither willing to yield.


    People always imed that resisting temptation was the hardest part of love. Yet Maia thought nobody warned her how intense self-control could feel.


    “Maybe I should sleep on the couch tonight. I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” Silence stretched between them until Chris finally broke it, his voice a low rumble edged with longing.


    Without warning, Maia pressed her lips softly to his, catching him off guard with her warmth. For a moment, the ache in his chest faded as she kissed him again, knowing he neededfort as much as she did.


    “Does this make you feel better?” Maia asked, slightly breathless as their lips parted. “This is a goodnight kiss. Sweet dreams, honey.”


    .


    .


    .