Chapter 101: Damar, let’s go collect some sticks for the fire

This is why having a good housing system was essential for living.I mean, how could a rat have sneaked in and eaten one of the meats until it began to smell like it was rotting?

I looked at the skinned squirrel it had been devouring and shook my head.

It ate it until it reached the insides, gnawing at the gall and intestines. Such a cruel rat.

I mean, I’m cruel too but whatever.

"Throw it out, Fenric," I said and he nodded, heading out with the squirrel.

He stood outside the cave, took a good look at the direction he wanted to throw it in, and then flexed his muscles.

Was he putting on a show? I could see him from here. I chuckled.

He tossed the squirrel as far as possible. Then, he turned to me, giving me a thumbs up, but now his hand was dirty.

I’d like it if he could wash his hands.

I twisted my lips, feeling I was making him move around a lot.

"What is it?"

It was as if he had already sensed that I wanted to ask him to do something, but was hesitating.

"You don’t need to hesitate, Arinya. I’m very strong and can walk a thousand miles without getting tired. If you want, I could...mph!" I covered his mouth, my heart thumping, and my face reddened.

Yes, I get it. I get it. He doesn’t have to talk so much. It was making me feel weird.

"Then, can you get water?" I asked. "And wash your hands while you’re at it," I said and he grinned through my hands on his mouth.

He pulled down my hand gently and said,

"Of course I can do that." He was so joyful about it, smiling with his full teeth on display.

You see, he looks like a sucker for his wife and he sure is. This is why I like him so much. Well, one of the reasons, haha, since there are a lot.

"I’ll be back." He said as he got to his feet. "You have to take care of her while I’m gone, you got that, Damar?"

"Hmph, I can definitely do a better job than you," Damar said and Fenric laughed before walking out.

Now, it was just Damar and me, again.

Fenric had brought the salt, as I asked, and even brought two small black rocks, which I assume to be a lighter.

"Hmm,"

I looked at the rocks. I did wonder how they lit their fires and I guess it’s the old striking rocks tale.

I’m sure I can work this out.

But before then,

"Damar, let’s go collect some sticks for the fire and rocks," I said.

If I were going to make the barbecue, I’d need the stuff I used the other night.

We could just get the ones I left at the center instead of going through the trouble of finding new ones.

But Damar did not move. He just stared at me, as if he had something on his mind.

"What’s wrong, Damar?" I asked but he lowered his head, still staying silent.

I tilted my eyebrow.

What was with him?

I walked towards him, taking a good look at his face but he tried to avoid it. Seeing as he wanted to turn his face away, I quickly grabbed him by the cheeks and forced him to look at me, his lips puckering up like a puffer fish.

"What’s up?" I asked. "You can tell me,"

For a second, he didn’t say anything, just stared at me. I could see a little flush on his cheeks and the way his eyes lightly trembled.

Was he scared?

No, I doubt it. Damar doesn’t scare easily.

"If you’re not going to tell me then—" he suddenly pulled me in and kissed my lips.

I definitely didn’t see that coming, but as much as I was surprised, I did not pull away.

Who doesn’t like a nice little surprise kiss from their handsome husband?

He kissed my lips gently, smacking softly, and then sucked on my lower lip.

I wondered if this was what he wanted that made him hesitate so much. Did he want to be intimate with me? Was that why he stayed still when I said we should head out?

But he doesn’t have to be so nervous about it.

He is my husband and if he feels like doing something like this, he can just go ahead with it, just like Fenric did. But then I wondered, have I not reassured him enough for him to hold on to the reins?

Or was he simply just overly cautious, especially in this moment where such a sensitive debate occurred with his appearance?

"Ari," he mumbled through our lips and then he parted my lips open, enough to slide his tongue inside my mouth, tickling the roof of my mouth and then swirling around my tongue.

Saliva dripped down the corner of my lips as I engaged in such a sensual kiss, muffled moans escaping my lips and my body began acting up again.

It felt good being kissed and I—

"Ari," Damar suddenly pulled away from the kiss, and dropped my head on his chest, leaving me hanging as I blinked twice in confusion.

What just happened?

"I wanted you to rest." He said. "I told you we should head back to your cave so you can rest, but the moment we got here, you’ve been frantic and then scared, and then you want to head out again to get rocks and sticks. You should really take care of your body, Arinya."

He was lecturing me.

My sweet, darling, cold, and incredibly handsome husband was lecturing me. Why do I feel so happy about this?

He gently stroked my hair, kissed the top of my head and patted my back.

"I know I can’t go around picking these things alone while you rest, so instead of pushing yourself, just take a little rest."

My heart was thumping warmly, and I twisted my lips softly.

He was so sweet.

"Alright, I’ll rest," I said. "Just for a little bit."

He nodded on hearing my words and said,

"Little is better than none. So, just close your eyes for a second."