Colton acquiesced. “Indeed, I have heard that applying pressure is beneficial. If that fails, consider administering additional kisses.” He winked at Molly before proceeding to the door. “Not everyone here shares their perspective. I, for one, take pride in Molly’s remarkable strength. I could scarcely believe it was her until I witnessed your feral transformation.” Colton chuckled as he forcefully closed the door behind him.
Molly experienced a slight flush of embarrassment. Jayce locked the door immediately after he left. “Recline on the bed,” he muttered.
Molly placed her hand on her side and discerned the saturation of her jumper. It may have been unwise to permit him to handle her while she was injured. Nevertheless, it seemed as though she was devoid of sensation, save for a remote anguish residing deep within her.
Was it due to Cordelia’s injury?
Molly reclined on the bed with caution. Jayce emerged from the bathroom with a towel and warm water. He did not seek permission as he rolled up her damaged jumper to examine the injury. She ought not to blush; her exposed skin was largely stained with blood, yet she was unable to restrain herself. Her lips tingled as she bit her bottom lip in an attempt to suppress the recollection of the sensation of being kissed by him.
“Does it cause you pain?” he enquired while delicately cleaning her blood.
“No, it resembles a remote discomfort. I can perceive it, but not as I ought to.”
“It occurs when your wolf sustains an injury. You are bleeding, yet she experiences it.”
Molly fluttered her eyelids. Was that the reason her wolf had remained so silent? She asserted that her wolf instigated the kiss for her—didn’t she?
Or was it Molly who desired it more than she believed feasible?
She dismissed her thoughts. “Will she recover? What actions should I take?”
“You will both recover. The wound is already closing and should heal within the hour.” Jayce leaned closer, and she held her breath as his fingers grazed her bare skin.
Molly whispered, “Thank you.” He applied an elongated bandage over her injury and discarded the bloodied towel in the corner. “May I enquire about something?”
Jayce nonchalantly shrugged and proceeded to ignite a fire. Molly sat upright and adjusted her shirt. “Why did you expectorate on me during our initial kiss?”
He must have perceived the pain in her voice. He glanced at her, his stern expression softening. “I was aware of your disdain for me. I could sense it in you.”
“You are the individual who has been consumed by animosity-”
“You became immobilised the moment I made contact. I realised you were unwilling.” Jayce rose and cast the log into the flames. “You have never desired anything from me.”
Molly rose to her feet. “I was astonished, Jayce—it was not animosity.”
Jayce shrugged once more, prompting her to desire to strike him for his perpetual lack of emotion. She shut her eyes and inhaled deeply to regain her composure. Upon reopening her eyes, she found him observing her.
“Will you remain with me this evening?”
A momentary expression of astonishment appeared on his face. It nearly elicited a smile from her. Jayce nodded, and she sensed her unease dissipate. Molly retrieved a nightgown from her drawer and proceeded to change. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers gliding over the mark he had imprinted on her skin months prior. It tingled slightly, as though it were aware of her presence. Was he aware that Vera was never his partner when they kissed? Did he experience a connection with her akin to the one Molly had with him? Or was he indifferent?
She was utterly irrational for contemplating him in that manner. Kylie would become exceedingly agitated by it. She had always desired for Molly to be with a prince—an outcome that was unlikely—but she envisioned one of the more amiable princes for her. If Kylie were aware of all the actions undertaken by Jayce and Molly during this journey, she would never allow Molly to forget them.
Molly adjusted her nightgown and secured her hair in a low ponytail.
Upon her emergence, he was already reclined in bed without his shirt. It ought not to have caused her heart to race as intensely as it did. She had observed him in this state multiple times by now and–
Molly ingested and nestled into bed beside him. Her gaze traced the contours of his taut abdomen, compelling her to avert her eyes as she reclined on her side. The room was dimly lit, illuminated solely by the fire, which provided warmth. Jayce turned onto his side and enveloped her in his arms, drawing her close as if she were an essential piece of his puzzle.
His hands remained steadfastly positioned, securing her in place without venturing into unfamiliar territories. He may have been able to discern her thoughts and recognised their erratic nature. She no longer needed to concern herself with the prospect of falling asleep beside him. It was nearly instinctive.
The next morning, Molly woke with her body held sprawled across his own. Her head on his chest, her leg draped over his own. How did she get like this? She could hear the steady beat of his heart and his even breath and she knew he was still asleep. Carefully, she lifted herself off him and laid on her back once more. His hand still gripped her waist, it tightened whenever she moved.
Molly chewed on her lip as she stared at him. Her eyes lowered betrayingly low to take in the lines of his stomach and chest. She felt him pull her closer against him and her eyes snapped to his own to see he was wide awake and watching her admire his body.
“Oh, Jayce-“
