"How about—" She interrupted him immediately.

"There is only one thing I want from you."

​​

He looked at her urgently.

"Kiss me," she responded sweetly.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, trying to hide the expression that revealed how badly he wanted to do just that. Hell, he wanted to do way more than that, but he had tried desperately to keep his composure and stop himself from jumping her bones. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into him and never let go, but her recovery was a priority.

"Qian Meng."

But when he looked at her, the battle was already lost. He knew he was inching towards the slippery slope that led right into an intense sexual tension. But when she looked at him and her eyes sparkled the way they did, there was no denying her.

"You are doing that on purpose, aren't you?" he accused, narrowing his eyes at her as he slowly approached the bed.

"Do what?" She acted innocent.

"Look at me like that."

She licked her lips and his heart beat faster.

"All mischievous and come hither."

Her lazy chuckle made his fingertips tingle with the need to touch her.

"I didn't do it on purpose," she said. Qingchen leaned over her. "I guess this is just the look of a woman helplessly in love."

He squinted. "I am already coming for your lips." He moved slowly, careful not to knock into her as he stretched over her on his hands. "The swoony lines won't get you anything extra."

"Damn," she muttered just as his lips descended on hers.

Their kiss began with a slow simmer but grew to a steady blaze that set his heart on fire. Her lips were the only reprieve as his body burned for her. He moved with hunger. While his brain screamed at him to keep things innocent, his heart cried out for more.

He clung to logic with a death grip. Kissing was harmless but he couldn't afford to fall into reckless behavior.

"Easy," he breathed as he forced himself to pull away from him.

She groaned in protest as he peeled himself from her and settled into her side instead.

"I miss you, Qingchen." Her tone was that of defeat and as steadfast as he was in his resolve, it didn't take the sting of guilt out.

"I'm right here, baby."

The look she gave him was reproachful. "I miss you. I miss you being inside me."

Qingchen ran his hand over her stomach, a subconscious reminder to both of them. "I know. Don't think for a second that I don't miss it, too."

"Then let me."

He shook his head. "Not until the doctor says it is okay. Besides, we are in the hospital right now. Wouldn't you feel weird when someone can walk in at any time?"

She smiled slyly. "All the more reason to get home quickly. Fuck the doctor. They don't know me!" she giggled.

"How are you feeling?" He watched her face intently as he lightly rubbed her stomach. "Truthfully."

"Qingchen, stop."

He was taken aback by her stern voice. But her face softened when she realized she had startled him. "Sorry. But you have to stop treating me like I am made of glass. I am okay."

He sighed. "I just worry."

She turned to face him directly as she took his face between her hands. "Look at me."

He hadn't realized until he was staring at her lips. When he slid his gaze up to meet hers, they sparkled with affection.

"I am okay, baby. I know you worry, but I am okay," she spoke those last words slowly, enunciating as if she were speaking to a child.

"I know that I have been overbearing, Qian Meng. And I know you are frustrated with being cooped up in this room, but I know how you are. You have high expectations of yourself and I don't want you to push yourself before you have really had the time to ease into the condition."

She frowned. "And what about you not trusting me?"

He shot her a confused look as he shook his head. "What are you talking about? Nothing happened to the trust between us."

She had that stubborn look in her eyes. "Then you need to trust me when I tell you I am okay."

Realization dawned on Qingchen and he gave her a sheepish look.

"I trust you. I only worry." He closed his eyes briefly before the next words left his mouth. "I know now what it feels like to think I have really lost you forever so I don't want to feel that way again. You're not a distant person anymore. You are my wife."

Her hand swept across his cheek and she gave him a sad half-smile. "Come on." She leaned over to him and placed a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. She pulled back slowly before pushing herself off the bed to stand. "Let's go home."

- - - - -

Qian Meng entered the house and gasped.

"The interior designer called. The rooms are ready. I aired everything so that you don't feel stifled with the smell of new things," he said calmly.

She sucked in a deep breath. "I can still smell it," she pouted. "But it's not overwhelming. I like it," she said with a bright smile.

"Are the fumes bad for the baby?" she asked.

"Probably," Mo Qingchen said slowly. "Let's go stay at one of the apartments again," he interrupted. "Let the house settle and then we will come back." They had already lived in an apartment close to their office for some time, but the space was restrictive and Qian Meng missed home. Now that she was back inside, she didn't want to leave.

"Pregnant women move into new houses all the time. It's fine!" she commented.

"You're not just any pregnant woman. You're one who almost lost her life," he said harshly. In the end, Mo Qingchen spoke to the doctor and was convinced otherwise.

"Time to jump into my bed!" Qian Meng squealed as she rushed towards the bedroom.

"Don't run!" he called after her helplessly, knowing that she would not listen to him any longer. She was in her home ground now. There was no stopping Qian Meng, the storm. He felt a small smile lift up the corner of his lips. It was good to have her back in the house. It was good to be back in the house. It didn't feel like home without her any longer. Just a place to put his head down when he needed to rest.