Chapter 478: Caryn’s Consent

She pushed him aside and moved away, only to have him pull her back. His hand caught hers in a firm grip as he drew her into a back hug, her slender back pressing against his solid torso.

She wanted to resist—she was still upset with him for not contacting her—but then she heard his calm and gentle voice.

"I just wanted to surprise you. If we had talked and you’d asked when I was returning, I wouldn’t have been able to lie. I didn’t expect you to get this angry, but I must say... I’m glad to see you this way. It means you missed me, that you care. But I promise, I won’t pull this stunt again or make you worry."

As he spoke, she finally relaxed in his arms and replied, "You better not."

He hummed softly in response and let her go, turning to fetch his clothes from the wardrobe.

Caryn stood still, catching the breath that had felt stuck in her chest. She walked over to the grand window, letting the cool evening breeze wash over her and calm the turmoil inside.

Meanwhile, James stood before the mirror. After a moment, he sighed and said, "I forgot to shave. I’ll be back in a while," before heading toward the bathroom.

Caryn noticed how tired he looked, the faint stubble on his face hinting at long hours and little rest. It must have been a hectic journey.

"Let it be," she said, her voice softer now.

James stopped and turned to look at her.

"You’re going to be a grandfather soon, still planning to look all young?" she said quietly, but there was a note of complaint beneath her calm tone. "So everyone can see how this woman—whose hair is almost a third gray—looks undeserving of you?"

James couldn’t help but smile. It was the first time she had spoken this way. Was she... insecure? Insecure about aging? About no longer being the young woman who once loved him so madly?

He gave up on the thought of shaving and instead walked over to her as she stood by the window. "So you don’t want me to shave and grow some beard?"

Caryn awkwardly shifted her gaze away from him and replied, "Those few gray hairs in your beard might let everyone know you’re old as well. I’m not the only one aging here."

He stood straight in front of her and pointed to the hair on his head. "See, I have gray hair too."

"Not as much as I have," she said. "You still don’t look that old."

James chuckled. "Are we having a competition over who has more gray hair now?"

Caryn didn’t reply.

He gently held her chin and made her look up at him. "If you hadn’t been sick for so long, you’d still look like Natalie’s sister—trust me. But even with gray hair, I love you just as much as I always have. You’re still the most beautiful woman in my eyes, and I missed you like crazy while I was away. Want me to prove it?"

Without waiting for her response, he leaned in and kissed her. Caryn didn’t resist—she had missed him just as much and had desperately waited for his return.

James could feel her willingness—finally, a shift in how close she let him be. They had kissed before, but never had she been so receptive, so responsive.

Feeling over the moon, he deepened the kiss, and she met him with equal passion.

When they finally pulled away, he whispered, "Now do you know how much I missed you?"

She simply hummed, her face flushed. "You... must be hungry. You haven’t had dinner yet..."

"Can I just have you for dinner?" he asked, his voice low and sharply seductive.

It made her wonder even at this age how horny this man could get, but she didn’t trust herself at it.

Regaining her poise, she stepped back and replied, "You need to eat a proper dinner."

As always, James didn’t push. He gave a soft hum, though a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He quietly fixed his clothes and said, "Let’s go."

They headed downstairs for dinner. Every now and then, Caryn glanced at him, wondering if he truly was disappointed. But he gave no indication—his face calm, his demeanor just as thoughtful as always.

They ate quietly and took a walk afterward, talking about everything that had happened in his absence, catching up on news about Natalie and her babies.

When they returned to the room, James, as usual, tucked her under the sheets, turned off the lights and got in beside her.

But then, to his surprise, Caryn moved toward him.

She rested her head on his arm and gently wrapped her hand around him, ready to sleep in his warmth.

She had never done this before—not on her own. It had always been him who reached for her first.

James held her closer but didn’t say a word, wondering if, by speaking, she might pull away from him. He simply stared at the ceiling, thinking if he could truly sleep while she lay in his arms this way.

A while passed, yet neither of them spoke. The room felt oddly, overly silent—as though they could hear each other’s heartbeats. The air seemed unsettling, or perhaps it was just becoming a little stuffy.

James couldn’t take it any longer. Taking her silence and closeness as some kind of permission, he moved over—only to have her beneath him, his tall body covering her delicate frame.

Caryn swallowed hard. It wasn’t difficult to guess what his intentions were. She parted her lips to say something but closed them again, not wanting to spoil the moment.

In her eyes, he could see the unsaid consent she had given, though she appeared self-conscious as well.

"Caryn," he said softly, his gaze gentle as he observed her hesitant expressions. "I know what you worry about, but don’t be so self couscous. However you are, you are still the woman I love and find the most beautiful in every way. Closeness with you still affects me the same way it used to in the past. You are still the same for me and I accept every change in you with all my heart."

She simply stared at him, absorbing the depth of his words. It had been over two decades since she’d been this intimate with him—and there had never been any other man that close to her.

"You get what I mean?" he asked, his gaze closely studying her face.

She hummed softly in response.

"Then let’s not hold back tonight," he whispered against her lips—and kissed her.

Under the sheets covering them, Caryn circled her hands around his neck and kissed him, almost reminiscing that night they had spent together—which gave her the courage she needed.

Slowly, the clothes came off, leaving two naked bodies entangled beneath the sheets.

"James..." Caryn gasped, only to have him pause as he looked at her beautiful face.

"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked, worried—knowing her body was still weak. "Does it hurt?"

She shook her head lightly as she clutched his shoulders. Her muffled voice was heard, "Maybe... a little slow..."

"I’m sorry. I’ll try to be in control," he assured her—but he suspected her request came from another reason. She was close to her release and didn’t know how to handle it.

Even though he gave his word, he moved faster, eager to see the kind of expressions she would make—expressions he had imagined countless times before. The regret of that night, the one he couldn’t remember, was something he wished to wash away. He was ready to imprint every detail of this night in his memory.

As time passed, Caryn was left thoroughly spent. James, taking mercy on her weakened body, let her rest once he felt content—having finally released the desires he had held back for so long.

She snuggled into his arms and fell asleep almost instantly.

Covering them both well, he gently caressed her head and whispered, "You did well," before pressing a kiss to her forehead—his heart overwhelmed with the love he felt for her.