Love's Cunning Ruse novel Chapter 365

"Kieran?" His kisses trailed down her neck, leaving a heated path in their wake.

Julie managed to claw back a shred of sanity, cupping his face in her hands. He returned his attention to her lips, sealing them with a kiss that spoke volumes without uttering a word.

His pale, slender fingers lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist as he swept her up into his arms. Julie's arms twined around his neck for balance.

They fell onto the couch, his relentless kisses never ceasing. Her flimsy dress had long since ridden up around her waist.

The world spun, and in a hazy surrender, she gave herself to him, unreservedly.

After the exhaustion of their climax Julie couldn't muster the strength to move a finger. Only then did her wits start to trickle back. He tenderly carried her to the bathroom.

Like a contented cat, she lay in his arms, quiet and docile.

After testing the water, he gently placed her in the bathtub and reached for a towel to carefully wipe down her back.

The warm water cascaded down her back, forming pretty droplets.

"Kieran." Unexpectedly, Julie called out Kieran's name.

"Hmm?" His voice was as tender as his touch.

Julie bit her lip, her voice soft. "Being all gentle now...are you trying to atone for earlier?"

He continued to wipe her shoulders, his voice laced with humor. "Was I too rough?"

Julie's cheeks flamed red, but thinking of her future wellbeing, she braved the embarrassment. "No, it's not that. It's just...you last too long... Honey, I think for marital bliss, we need to be open and honest, especially about the how long it takes for you too..."

"Talk to it," he said, suddenly in front of her, pointing solemnly at his crotch.

The image that sprang to Julie's mind was ludicrous—discussing duration with Kieran's penis. She turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

"Kieran, you'll lose me if you keep this up!" Julie protested, averting her gaze. He chuckled and moved behind her. She turned her head away again, stubbornly avoiding his gaze.

Kieran nipped gently at the nape of her neck. She jerked around, retreating to the other end of the tub with a face full of wariness. "No more, I give up!"

"I've been thinking, maybe a shorter time isn't out of the question," he said seriously, but Julie had a bad feeling about his 'gentle' expression.

Through the steam, she heard him say, "Next time, don't hold back. If you're vocal, I doubt I could hold back either. Then, naturally, time could be...shorter."

Julie was at a loss for words, her face turning a deep shade of red. She tried to maintain a serious demeanor. "Get out!"

He stood and, playing along, rolled out of the room.

Julie exhaled and was just calming her nerves when he returned with a bathrobe.

She stood, and the considerate man wrapped the robe around her, his arms encircling her waist from behind, tying the sash for her. His breath tickled her ear.

"I can do it myself," she whispered, catching his wrist. Kieran didn't let go. Instead, he tied the belt from behind, then scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Julie, clinging to his neck, whispered, "Why did we go straight to bed without a word earlier?"

"Without a word?" He asked seriously as he held her. "Wasn't it clear?"

From downstairs to the bedroom, there hadn't been a complete conversation between them.

"It's just a popular phrase, why are you taking it so literally? You're out of the loop because you don't keep up with social media," she teased, poking his chest.

"And why did you lie to Camilla, saying we were at the police station this afternoon?" Julie suddenly asked.

Kieran laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. He didn't answer her question, but instead asked, "What do you think of Camilla?"

Julie was taken aback by the question. After a moment, she replied with a hint of sarcasm, "My King, are you considering taking a concubine and seeking my counsel? Very well. Camilla is a vision; delicate beauty and grace. She would be a perfect match for you."

Hearing her tart tone, Kieran quickly got into bed, pulling her into his arms. "You think so?"

She laughed, eyes twinkling. "Yes, she’s a perfect match!"

"If I were a king, and could choose from thousands, I'd still only want you. Without you..."

"Without me, you will have others," she looked up at him.

"You need to live a long, long time. Even if one day we grow old and I die first, you must continue to live on. Though days without me will be tough, you'll have the grandkids to dote on. You'll get through it."

"Hmm..." His thoughts remained unchanged, but he humored her with a nod.

That night, Julie dreamt a beautiful dream.

In it, Kieran, his hair silver with age, sat in the backyard of their childhood home, surrounded by pretty shrubs, vibrant roses, and dancing butterflies.

The warm afternoon sun filtered through the branches of the kapok trees, casting speckled shadows on the stone table in the yard.

On that table lay an unfinished game of chess with Mr. Hernandez. Ivan had grown up and married a beautiful woman with pale blue eyes.

The woman and Ivan had a lovely little girl named Isabella Hernandez. She and the elderly Mr. Hernandez, well into their golden years, sat in the rocking chairs in the yard, telling young Isabella stories of their youth.

Isabella's bell-like laughter echoed throughout the entire garden...

The dream was so beautiful that Julie woke up the next morning with a smile on her face.

Amanda had come to wake Julie up, despite Kieran's instructions before leaving for the office not to disturb his dear wife. But Julie's laughter was too extravagant to ignore; Amanda had heard it from outside the door...

"What's with all the laughter?" Amanda’s voice startled Julie awake, and she sat up, the sheets still draped over her.

"Grandma! Good... good morning!"

"Good morning? Look at the time and tell me if it's still morning," Amanda said, placing the breakfast tray in her hands. "Skipping breakfast is a bad habit, not good for your stomach. Your husband went off to work early and told me not to wake you. These days, young people would rather sleep in than care for their health."

Julie saw that it was already past nine o'clock...

She took the tray and sheepishly replied, "I'm sorry, Grandma."

Amanda wasn't too bothered and said to Julie, "Camilla went off early this morning to look for Phoebe, and I just can't sit still. Lucian has also vanished without a word, and who knows where that Bruce has taken Phoebe. If Bruce took Phoebe according to Lucian's wishes, then finding Lucian should lead us to Phoebe. But to think, after all these years we don't have a single clue about who Lucian's been dealing with..." With that, Amanda shook her head and left.

Julie, upon hearing Amanda's words, suddenly remembered something vitally important...