Chapter 147: Second Time

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Second Time

As the heavy silence settled over the table, Ruth stood up, nervously gathering the empty plates while keeping her eyes glued to the tablecloth.

"I’ll... I’ll take these to the sink," Ruth said, her voice still trembling slightly as she reached for Derrick’s plate.

"Let me help you with that, Aunt Ruth," Derrick said smoothly, rising from his chair and taking the heavy dishes right out of her hands before she could protest.

"O-Oh, Derrick, you don’t have to—"

"It’s no trouble at all," he replied naturally, giving her a calm, reassuring smile as he turned toward the kitchen.

Ruth swallowed hard, her face warming up all over again as she grabbed her water glass and followed him inside.

Meanwhile, Beth remained frozen in her seat at the table.

She didn’t say a single word.

Her head was bowed, her long lashes shadowing her flushed cheeks as her heart hammered like a war drum in her chest.

Because Ruth was wearing loose, flowing robes, no wet patch was visible on her clothing despite how easily she came from just rubbing her legs and dreaming about Derrick.

But Beth wasn’t as fortunate.

Her cream-colored silk pajamas were completely soaked around her thighs, the thin fabric clinging damply to her skin and exposing the undeniable aftermath of her secret climax.

The moment Derrick and Ruth stepped through the kitchen archway, Beth took her chance.

She quietly stood up from the table, her legs feeling like lead, and glided toward the staircase without making a sound, desperate to change before anyone noticed.

’I can’t believe him... Right in front of Mom!’ Beth screamed internally, her cheeks burning like hot coals as her hand gripped the banister, heading upstairs as fast as her trembling legs could carry her.

Inside the kitchen, Derrick leaned over the counter to place the crockery near the automated washer.

Ruth walked up right beside him to set her glass down, her gaze involuntarily drifting over his frame.

’Stop looking, Ruth... Just put the glass down and walk away,’ she scolded herself frantically in her head, taking a shaky breath.

But as she stepped forward, her foot caught the hem of her loose robe.

"Ah!"

She lost her footing completely, stumbling forward into the counter.

Derrick turned around like lightning to catch her, but her momentum carried her straight into his solid chest.

Ruth’s hands shot out on instinct to break her fall—and both of her palms slammed flat against his stomach, sinking right into his rock-hard abs once again.

Gulp!

The blazing heat radiating through his shirt scorched her palms.

Her breath hitched, her fingers twitching as she felt the defined contours of his core under her hands.

"Careful there, Aunt Ruth," Derrick murmured, his voice deep and smooth as his hands gripped her hips tightly to steady her against his body.

Pressed so closely against him, Ruth felt the massive, rigid outline beneath his trousers pushing firmly against her lower waist.

The sheer size and heat of it sent an electric shock wave straight up her spine, making her eyes widen in absolute shock.

’O-Oh lord...’ Ruth’s mind went completely blank, her throat turning bone-dry as her knees nearly gave out beneath her. ’It’s... it’s even bigger than before...’

Her heart pounded so violently against her ribs she was certain he could feel it.

Yet, her hands stayed glued to his abs, unable to pull away as a sweet, dizzying warmth spread through her entire body.

Derrick looked down at her with a calm, dangerous glint in his eyes, completely unbothered as he held her flush against him.

"You really need to watch your step, Aunt Ruth," Derrick whispered with a worried look on his face. "That’s twice now."

Since he was so focused on Beth before, he did not even notice something was odd with her.

"Are you feeling weak? Should I take you inside?"

Ruth trembled, her entire face flushed a deep crimson as she looked up into his intense, unyielding gaze, utterly paralyzed between her maternal guilt and the burning electricity coiling tight in her stomach.

"I-I... yes, maybe a little," Ruth managed to stammer out, her voice barely a breathy whisper. "My head just feels... a bit light all of a sudden."

’What am I saying?!’ Ruth screamed internally, her conscience tearing itself apart even as her body melted right into his frame. ’I’m making up excuses just to stay in his arms... Lord help me, what is wrong with me?!’

Derrick didn’t hesitate for a single second.

Seeing her flushed face and hearing her weak voice, he gently shifted his hold, wrapping one strong arm around her waist while using his other hand to support her shoulder.

"Hold on to me," Derrick said gently, his warm, steady presence overwhelming her senses completely. "I’ll take you up to your room so you can rest."

"N-No, Derrick, you don’t have to carry me, I can walk—" Ruth protested weakly, but the moment she tried to take a step, her knees buckled under the weight of her own frantic, thrilling emotions.

"See? You’re barely standing," Derrick murmured close to her ear, pulling her tighter against his side. "Just lean on me."

As they slowly moved out of the kitchen and toward the guest room on the ground floor, every single step sent a fresh wave of electricity through Ruth’s body.

Her arm was wrapped tightly around his neck for support, her fingers tangling slightly in the soft hair at the nape of his neck.

With every stride he took, her soft chest pressed firmly against his side, and she could feel the hard, unyielding muscle of his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her like she weighed nothing at all.

Gulp!

’His chest... his shoulders... he’s so solid,’ Ruth thought, her eyes dazed as she stared up at his sharp side profile. ’Betty is so lucky... no, stop it, Ruth! He’s your daughter’s man!’

Derrick pushed the door to her bedroom open with his foot and carefully guided her inside.

The room was bathed in soft, warm light.

He walked her over to the king-sized bed and gently eased her down onto the soft mattress.