Chapter 83
“Can you let go of me now? You’re hurting me,” Joycelyn said, struggling for nearly half a minute before finally poking his hand.
The back of his hand was tense, veins visibly bulging, and just a poke made her fingers feel as though they were being pricked.
Ellison didn’t release her, but he loosened his grip slightly. He took a step forward, walking side by side with Joycelyn. “Come to the room with me.”
“Oh, come on, I’ve been through so much today. Please, let me off the hook, will you?” Joycelyn softened her tone and begged.
She had wanted to sleep in his arms earlier, but now, she just needed some space. Tonight, she was going to sleep by herself.
“You already said we’re in sync in bed, so I need to make sure you get the full experience,” Ellison replied, his voice tinged with displeasure, as he didn’t let Joycelyn feel comfortable either.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the master bedroom.
Joycelyn followed reluctantly, thinking about her period, but she couldn’t help but take tiny steps behind him. Ellison was a catch, and she wasn’t about to feel guilty for sleeping beside him.
Adults knew that love and sex could be separate, Joycelyn told herself. But as she lay beside him, feeling his warmth and heartbeat, even she didn’t quite believe her own reasoning.
What was supposed to be a peaceful, cozy night—where their breaths synchronized, and they seemed to be asleep—lasted for about ten minutes before Ellison couldn’t hold back.
“Joycelyn, what you said in the bathroom earlier, repeat it for me,” Ellison asked, breaking the silence.
In the dim light, Joycelyn glanced briefly toward the darkness but immediately shut her eyes tighter, pretending to sleep. Ellison wasn’t sleeping either. He wanted to catch her off guard.
“Joycelyn, wake up.” Ellison shifted, leaning on one arm while using the other to gently pinch her cheek. He didn’t believe she had fallen asleep so quickly.
Joycelyn stayed still, not making a sound, her breathing regular.
“Faking sleep, huh?” Ellison’s voice was low, and he couldn’t stop staring at the small woman lying next to him. No matter what he did, Joycelyn wouldn’t wake up.
But Ellison was determined to get her to respond.
Finally, Joycelyn gave in, letting out a little sigh and reaching up to hold him. She nestled her head comfortably into the crook of his arm. Her fragrant, soft body rubbed against his chest.
The next morning, Joycelyn was woken up by the sound of her phone ringing.
She groggily fumbled for the phone for a while before answering. “Hello…”
“Are you up? Come downstairs for breakfast,” Ellison’s soothing voice came from the other end.
Joycelyn mumbled sleepily, her voice muffled with sleep, “Okay.”
Just as she was finishing, she heard a cheerful barking sound on the other end.
Joycelyn, still half-asleep, immediately snapped awake.
Without thinking, she got up despite the soreness in her body, quickly slipped on her slippers, and rushed downstairs.
Ellison hadn’t gone for his morning run and was already dressed in a shirt and trousers, sitting at the dining table. In front of him, a fluffy little white dog sat on the floor.
There was a standoffish vibe between the two—Ellison, the imposing figure with a presence that screamed “stay away,” and the puppy, who seemed both scared and determined to stand its ground, staring right back at him.
“Rocky,” Joycelyn’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw the dog.
The little dog immediately ran toward her, tail wagging in excitement.
“Wow, you’ve gained some weight since I last saw you,” Joycelyn said, sitting down on the floor to scoop Rocky up into her arms and cuddle him. She couldn’t stop sniffing and kissing him.
Ellison sat at the table, watching the scene with a slight expression of distaste, though he tolerated the fluffy dog for her sake.
“Wow, you smell so good! Did you get a bath? How’s the training going?” Joycelyn continued to shower Rocky with affection, treating him like a baby.
Rocky licked her face, and the bond between the two was undeniable.
Ellison, watching from across the table, furrowed his brow. He set his utensils down, losing his appetite.
“Are you keeping him, or are you going to send him back?” Joycelyn asked curiously.
The puppy seemed to understand and curled up in Joycelyn’s arms, looking up at Ellison with big, innocent eyes.
“The trainer says he’s smart, and he’s nearly done with his training. I’m not sending him back,” Ellison said, taking a sip of his water, his tone heavier than usual.
Joycelyn, completely caught up in her joy, didn’t notice Ellison’s displeased expression. She held Rocky tighter and smiled. “Great! Rocky’s such a smart little dog.”
“You can play with him, but after he’s bathed, no more carrying him upstairs, and no more bringing him to bed. Got it?” Ellison added, a slight edge to his voice.
“Oh, got it.” Joycelyn picked up Rocky and walked over to the sofa, completely ignoring Ellison, her focus solely on the little dog.
After all, this puppy was the true companion she could call her own.
At that moment, Ellison realized she cared more for the dog than for him. The dog had completely stolen her attention. Joycelyn spent the next few days on her vacation, waking up early and staying up late, all while revolving around Rocky.
She worried about his meals and even more about him being alone. Every time Ellison came home, she was always with the dog.
He didn’t recall her ever showing that much care or patience for him.
The first day, he let it slide.
The second day, he tolerated it.
But by the third day… he’d had enough.
