Page 28 of The Oath Operation
Relief, joy, longing, and love all mingled together, overwhelming his senses. Jules' fingers tangled in his hair. Her body pressed against his. It was as if all the barriers between them had finally fallen, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth of their feelings.
Fish's hands roamed her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through her shirt. He marveled at the way she fit against him, as if they were made to be together. The kiss grew more intense, their breaths mingling, hearts racing in sync.
Jules tugged at him, and without thinking, he followed her, their lips still locked in a passionate embrace. He heard a thunk against the floor, followed by another. He found himself having to dip lower to keep the connection with her mouth. Belatedly, he realized Jules had kicked off her shoes.
Her hands were on his shirt, undoing the buttons there. She got the top two open and then she was tugging at him. When Fish realized she was pulling him toward her bedroom, he put on the brakes and gently pulled away from the kiss.
"Jules," he said, his voice husky with emotion, "we can't take this into the bedroom."
"Why not? We’re already married."
She launched herself at him again. Fish caught her. Of course he did. He would always catch this woman. But he pinned her arms to her sides so that he could keep his head since his heart was long ago lost to her.
Fish took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "You wear my ring, Jules, but I’m not yet in your heart. Not like you're in mine." He swallowed, the confession heavy on his tongue. "It was love at first sight for me."
Jules blinked, taken aback by his words. Her arms went slack in his hold. Her hands came up, but not to grab seductively at him. She rested her palms against his chest. She searched his eyes, her own filled with surprise and something else—something that made his heart ache with hope.
"Everyone else in this whole town saw it." Fish grinned, a gentle, teasing smile that softened his features. "You were the only one who didn’t."
Jules pursed her lips, as if deep in thought, her eyes never leaving his.
Fish couldn’t resist; he leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss over her lips. He felt the spark between them, the electricity that made every touch feel like a promise. Before the kiss could deepen, he pulled away again, his resolve firm.
"I want to date my wife," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I want to woo you, Jules. I want to show you just how much you mean to me, in the hopes that you might feel even a fraction of what I feel for you."
Jules swallowed thickly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She nodded, a small, hopeful smile tugging at her lips. "Okay, Fish. Let's go on a date."
Fish leaned in for another deep, lingering kiss, savoring the moment. He loosened his hold on her arms, and her hands slid around his neck. Slowly, he placed her feet back on the ground, but not before he felt every inch of her sliding down the front of him. When they finally parted, he forced himself to step back, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "Be ready for the best date of your life."
Jules laughed softly, her eyes shining with affection. "I can’t wait."
With a final kiss to her forehead, Fish ushered himself out the door, his heart light and his spirits soaring. For the first time in years, he felt truly happy, a genuine smile playing on his lips as he walked away from her apartment. The future seemed bright and full of possibilities, and he couldn't wait to start this new chapter with Jules by his side.
ChapterTwenty
This was not the best date of Jules' life.
The best date was last week, when Fish had taken her to a secluded lake. They had spent the day on the serene waters, eating a meal he had prepared himself under the watchful eye of her sister, who had ensured it was diabetic-friendly. The memory of that day made her smile—a perfect blend of tranquility, delicious food, and Fish’s thoughtful care.
The second best date had been a lazy afternoon at her place, binge-watching their favorite K-dramas. She had learned that she and Fish had similar tastes in entertainment, both of them getting lost in the same romantic plot twists and heartfelt moments. They had cuddled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped around them, her head resting on his shoulder as they shared laughter and tears. Well, here tears. Not his. The warmth of his body next to hers had felt like home, a comfort she had never known she craved until then.
He'd made her feel safe, cherished. More importantly, she had felt a connection growing between them—one that was more than just the circumstances of their marriage. It was a connection rooted in genuine care, in the way he looked at her like she was the most important person in the world, and in the way he made her feel like she could be herself, flaws and all.
They had seen each other every day at the bakery as the renovation progressed. Fish continued to be her snowplow, clearing obstacles from her path and making everything smoother and more manageable. He always stood behind her, ready to catch her if she stumbled, following her lead with unwavering support.
And stumble she did—once or twice. Perhaps intentionally. Just to feel his strong arms around her.
Yesterday, Jules had found herself accidentally-on purpose off balance. Fish was already there. Her back fell into the soft impact of his broad chest. Inside his embrace, she felt a sense of peace and security. It was as if Fish’s arms formed a cocoon around her, enveloping her in warmth and protection. She felt the steady rise and fall of his breath, the solid beat of his heart. The sensation was comforting and transformative, as if she was on the verge of something new and beautiful, ready to emerge from this cocoon as a butterfly. In his embrace, she felt ready to let herself be vulnerable, to trust, and maybe, just maybe, to love.
Jules had already been half in love with the man since the day he had finally confessed his love for her. She remembered the look in his eyes, the sincerity in his voice, and the way her heart had soared. She had hoped to tell him about her feelings on today's date, but as she hiked up the seemingly endless trail, she found herself struggling to enjoy the experience.
Hiking was Fish’s passion, and she wanted to share in it, to understand this part of him. But as they climbed higher, her enthusiasm waned. Her feet were sore, her muscles screamed in protest, and the air felt thin and oppressive. She admired Fish's stamina and determination, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being out of her element.
Jules followed Fish up the hill, though to her it felt more like they were scaling a mountain. Each step pulled at her calf muscles and made her lungs protest. Meanwhile, Fish moved with the effortless grace of someone who was born to navigate the rugged terrain. His sure-footedness was impressive, his stride confident as he led the way.
Ahead of them, the landscape stretched out in a breathtaking panorama. The morning sun bathed the rolling hills in a golden light, casting long shadows that danced across the earth. The trees, with their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze, created a soothing symphony that mingled with the distant chirping of birds. In the distance, the peaks of the mountains loomed, their majesty softened by the early mist that clung to their summits. A river wound its way through the valley below, its waters sparkling like a ribbon of silver under the sunlight. It was a view that could steal the breath from anyone's lungs, but all Jules could focus on was the man in front of her.
