The Cherished Wife

Noelle's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she swatted Charles's hand away. "You're so shameless!"

"Am I?" Charles's eyes danced with laughter. He curled his finger under her chin, lifting her face for another kiss. Their lips met in a tender, lingering embrace. When they finally parted, both panting softly, Charles teased her with a grin, "There's more where that came from, my lady. Care to indulge?" The following morning, Noelle descended the stairs, hand on her aching back, muttering about how Charles did not know how to go slow. Why on earth had she trusted a man's sweet nothings in the heat of the moment? "Up and about already?"

Charles emerged from the kitchen with two small bowls in hand. Spotting Noelle's pouty, aggrieved expression, he cheerfully gestured to the dining table. "Come have breakfast. You've got a day at the construction site ahead, right? Don't starve yourself!" Noelle sulked over to the table, her reluctance fading as she saw the lavish spread. "Why'd you make so much? It's just us."

"Well, you're off to the construction site, right? Pack some for the road. If hunger strikes, you'll have something to tide you over. Dig in!"

"Oh!" Noelle nodded, but her eyes sparkled with warmth as she looked at Charles. He had whipped up a whole breakfast spread all by himself, which meant he must have been up with the birds. She let her gaze linger on him a moment longer. Charles let out a soft laugh. "Why are you staring? Are you not hungry for breakfast, or are you just hungry for me?"

was speechless for

eyes at Charles's cheeky comment and dove into

up the leftovers for Noelle before asking, "Heading straight to the construction site or stopping by the

carpooling to the site later." Her car was not really fit for a construction site. "Remember how Mr. Parker won that Land Rover at the last year-end

nose. "Okay, let's hit the

find Brian by the Land Rover, checking his watch.

left

them up. Hop