Chapter 165: I’ll Help You

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: I’ll Help You

"Of course, you’re my..." Her voice faltered. Under his deep, expectant gaze, a blush crept across her cheeks. Finally, she mumbled a single word, her voice as faint as a whisper, "Husband."

A faint smile bloomed in Jared Hawthorne’s narrow, almond-shaped eyes. "What did you say, Mrs. Hawthorne? Your voice was too quiet. I didn’t hear you."

Meeting the unconcealed amusement in his eyes, Vesper Grayson’s cheeks grew hotter. She cursed inwardly, ’This damn man, he’s definitely doing this on purpose.’

"If you didn’t hear me, then forget it. I’m not saying it a second time."

She struggled to free her wrist and turned to dive under the covers.

But Jared Hawthorne had no intention of letting her go so easily. With a long arm, he pulled her firmly into his embrace. His scorching chest pressed against her back, and his deep, bewitching voice fell upon her ear, making her heart tremble.

"Vesper, say it again, hmm?"

The tips of Vesper Grayson’s ears turned crimson. She deliberately avoided his searing gaze and gritted her teeth.

"Husband! Is that good enough for you?"

’Being forced to call him husband like this is just too humiliating!’

Jared Hawthorne chuckled softly. The pad of his finger gently pinched her chin, tilting it up slightly as he lowered his head to kiss her soft lips.

The kiss was tender and lingering, a passionate dance as their breaths intertwined.

His lips still brushing against hers, he murmured in that same deep, bewitching voice, "Call me that from now on. I like it."

Vesper Grayson’s cheeks burned. "..."

Suddenly, she felt something hard pressing against her and hastily slapped him.

"You—what are you...?"

Jared Hawthorne’s Adam’s apple bobbed sharply. His dark eyes grew deeper, tinged with a potent desire, and his tone was one of helplessness.

"I can’t help it. Who could, when Mrs. Hawthorne is so delectable? It’s impossible to restrain myself."

"I’m pregnant. The doctor said we can’t be reckless in the early stages..." Vesper Grayson said hurriedly.

"I know." He took her slender, soft hand and slowly guided it downward, the implication unmistakable. His voice was incredibly hoarse. "So, how about Mrs. Hawthorne helps me in a different way, hmm?"

Vesper Grayson instantly understood his intention. Her almond eyes shot wide open, and her entire face flushed the color of a cooked shrimp, the blush spreading down to her neck. She stammered out her refusal.

"I... I can’t... I’ve never tried..."

’This is even more humiliating than being forced to call him husband!’

Jared Hawthorne’s eyes darkened. He lowered his head and took her small, round earlobe into his mouth, sucking gently. His tone was one of deliberate grievance.

"Can you really bear to watch your husband suffer like this?"

Vesper Grayson saw the unbearable desire coloring the tips of his brows. It didn’t seem like an act. She bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before asking in a small voice, "Does it really feel that bad?"

"Mhm." He took the opportunity to release her hand, feigning retreat. "If you don’t want to, I’ll just go take a cold shower. You go ahead and sleep."

It wasn’t the height of summer yet; a cold shower could easily lead to a cold. Even if he was strong and healthy, he was still only human.

Vesper Grayson’s heart softened. She reached out and gently tugged on the corner of his clothes. "Wait."

Jared Hawthorne paused and glanced back at her, putting on the pitiful look of someone sexually frustrated.

"Does Mrs. Hawthorne have any further instructions?"

"Well... I’ll help you." She bit her lip and relented.

"Really?" A cunning, triumphant glint hidden in his eyes, he maintained a serious expression. "If you really don’t want to, you don’t have to force yourself."

"Jared Hawthorne, are you getting addicted to this game?" Vesper Grayson glared up at him, chiding him in embarrassment and anger. "If you say one more useless word, I really won’t help you!"

Jared Hawthorne immediately shut his mouth. He knew that if he kept up his act of feigned retreat, he might overplay his hand and ruin it. It was time to quit while he was ahead.

Half an hour later, Vesper Grayson was starting to regret it.

She complained under her breath, "Are you not done yet? My hand is getting tired..."

"Almost, be good. Just a little longer," Jared Hawthorne’s voice was tight, laced with suppressed panting.

An hour later, Vesper Grayson was thoroughly frustrated!

On the verge of tears, she whined, "Jared Hawthorne! Are you done yet or not! My hand is numb!"

Jared Hawthorne’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently. He cupped the back of her neck and lowered his head to kiss her, his movements filled with long-suppressed urgency.

The next second, Vesper Grayson felt a few scorching hot droplets splash onto the back of her hand, making her fingers tremble in shock.

Vesper Grayson, "..."

’SOB, I’m not pure anymore!!’

Jared Hawthorne released her, pecking the corner of her reddened lips. His voice was incredibly hoarse, filled with the lazy satisfaction of release.

"Don’t move. Leave the rest to me."

Vesper Grayson squeezed her eyes shut, ready to die of shame and indignation. She wished she could bury herself under the covers and never come out.

Ten minutes later, everything was cleaned up. Fresh and neat, Jared Hawthorne pulled her tightly into his arms, resting his chin gently on the crown of her head.

But Vesper Grayson was in no mood to bask in the tenderness. ’I’m only five weeks pregnant, and this man’s needs are already so strong. How am I going to survive this entire pregnancy? We can’t solve it like this every time, can we?’

’Besides, I’ve heard that many men can’t endure the loneliness during their wife’s pregnancy and cheat with other women.’

The moment that thought surfaced, she snapped her eyes open. Her bright, almond eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto the man’s deep, defined profile, an unconcealable anxiety in her gaze.

"What’s wrong?" Jared Hawthorne seemed to sense something and asked in a low voice, his arm around her waist tightening a fraction.

"Jared Hawthorne, will you cheat on me during my pregnancy?" she asked bluntly, a subtle tension in her voice. "Let me tell you, I don’t tolerate deceit, and I will never share my husband with another woman!"

Jared Hawthorne was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. So it was true what they said about pregnant women letting their imaginations run wild.

He gently stroked her back, his tone firm and earnest. "I’ve been a celibate ’monk’ for decades. Do you really think I can’t handle a little bit of loneliness?"

"That’s different!" Vesper Grayson retorted, unconvinced. "Before, you hadn’t tasted meat. Now that you’ve broken your vows, who knows if you’ll start messing around!"

"A man who can’t control his lower half is no different from an animal, is he?" Jared Hawthorne kissed the top of her head, his tone carrying an unquestionable gravity. "Don’t worry. Your husband is not about to do something worse than any pig or dog."

Vesper Grayson, "..."

After a while, hearing no response, Jared Hawthorne glanced down to see her eyes shut. She had fallen asleep at some point.

He couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

「The next morning, in the dining room.」

Jared Hawthorne handed her a piece of toast spread with blueberry jam and asked casually, "What’s the plan for today?"

"I’m going to the office to handle some work, then I’m taking Bonnie to check out a famous scenic spot in Northolme." Vesper Grayson took the toast and bit into it. The sweet, fruity fragrance filled her mouth, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction, like a contented kitten.

"Those scenic spots are crowded and chaotic. I’ll have my executive assistant and bodyguards go with you," Jared Hawthorne said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He was worried something might happen to her, a pregnant woman.

Vesper Grayson quickly waved her hands. "No, that’s not necessary. I’ll be careful. If you send people to follow us, we won’t be able to relax. It’s too conspicuous and might attract trouble."

Jared Hawthorne’s brows knitted slightly, still not convinced. "It’s just the two of you girls. I’m not comfortable with that."

"President Hawthorne, I’m not that delicate. If something really happens, I’ll call you immediately, okay?" she wheedled, softening her tone.

"Call me husband," Jared Hawthorne corrected, raising an eyebrow.

Images from last night instantly flooded her mind. Vesper Grayson’s face flushed, and she nearly choked on her toast.

Seeing her suddenly flush red to the ears, Jared Hawthorne gave a wicked grin. "Why is your face so red, Mrs. Hawthorne? You’re not thinking about something not suitable for children, are you?"

"You’re talking nonsense! I am not!" Vesper Grayson shot him a glare, refusing to admit what she was thinking even on pain of death.

’What a scheming, wicked, damn man!’