Chapter 78: Taste your lips

"I thought the Alpha Prince and his Luna would be available this evening," Samara remarked, looking at the butler standing at the center of the living room.

"I’m sorry, Miss Samara, but my master gave strict instructions not to disturb him or his wife," the butler explained politely. "I suggest you visit tomorrow instead."

"Hmm." Samara glanced at the gift bag in her hand before holding it out to him. "Please give this to Caroline. I’ve already brought the gift, so I might as well leave it with her rather than take it back."

"Of course, Miss. I’ll deliver it to Madam Caroline and pass along your message," the butler assured her as he accepted the bag.

"Thank you." Samara offered him a slight bow before turning around and walking away from the estate.

The butler looked up before deciding to place that gift bag in Andrew’s study.

Andrew sat back in the recliner, a glass of wine in his hand. He took slow sips while listening to the sound of water running in the bathroom. Caroline had asked him to give her some time, and he had agreed to wait.

’She hasn’t marked us yet,’ Ares complained from within him. I’m restless. I want her mark on us.

’Give her time, Ares. She’s taking things slowly, at her own pace. Didn’t you hear her confession earlier? It was beautiful,’ Andrew replied, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled Caroline’s words.

He took another sip of wine, still smiling at the memory. Unlike his impatient wolf, Andrew understood that Caroline needed time to grow comfortable with their bond. He wanted her to choose him willingly, without feeling pressured by the expectations that came with being his mate, his wife.

Finally, the sound of running water stopped. A few minutes later, Caroline stepped out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe.

"I’m hungry," she announced before glancing at the wine glass in Andrew’s hand. "Why are you drinking wine at this hour?"

"I felt like having a drink. It’s been a while since I last drank," Andrew replied as he stood up. "I’ll ask Regan to instruct the kitchen staff to prepare dinner. You can get changed in the meantime."

"Thank you," Caroline said, watching him walk out of the room.

Once he was gone, she locked the door from the inside before changing into a comfortable dress. She then used the hair dryer to dry her damp hair, taking her time until it was completely dry.

By the time Andrew returned, she was ready. Hearing his knock, Caroline unlocked the door and opened it for him.

"Dinner is still being prepared," Andrew informed her as he stepped inside. He then handed her a gift bag.

Caroline looked at the bag in surprise before turning her gaze toward him. "What’s this?"

"One of the employees from my company stopped by earlier. She left this gift for you," Andrew explained. He finished his wine and placed the empty glass on the table.

"What? When did she come here?" Caroline asked, genuinely surprised. She wasn’t accustomed to receiving gifts from people other than Andrew, and the unexpected gesture caught her off guard.

"When you and I were in the bathroom, kissing and fucking each other," Andrew replied with a mischievous smirk.

Caroline’s face turned bright red at his blunt words. "Can’t you be a little gentler with your words?" she murmured, avoiding his gaze as she walked toward the bed to open the gift.

She settled on the edge of the bed and peered inside the bag. Taking out a beautifully wrapped box, she carefully untied the silk ribbon and removed the wrapping paper. Beneath it was a small velvet box.

Her curiosity grew as she opened it. The moment she saw the pair of earrings nestled inside, her eyes widened with delight.

"They’re beautiful!" Caroline exclaimed, lifting her gaze toward Andrew. "What’s her name? I’d love to invite her here and thank her personally. She gave me such a lovely gift. Look!"

She held up the earrings, her face glowing with excitement.

"Her name is Samara," Andrew answered, settling down beside her. He watched her smile for a moment before adding, "You never smile at me like that."

"What?" Caroline turned toward him, drawing her brows together in confusion.

Andrew tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear and gazed at her affectionately. "I want you to smile at me like the brightest star in the sky. You see, I get jealous easily."

Caroline smiled again before playfully hitting his shoulder. "I do smile at you! I give you the warmest smiles, the ones that come straight from my heart."

Andrew leaned closer to kiss her, but she quickly pressed her fingers against his lips to stop him.

"My lips are already swollen from all your intense kissing," she murmured, giving him a pointed look.

He gently took her hand and lowered it before placing a soft kiss on her lips. "I can’t get enough of them. That’s why I want to taste your lips whenever I get the chance."

"You talk so..." Caroline trailed off, unable to find the right words to describe him.

"Fucking sweetly, right?" Andrew finished for her, his grin widening.

She hummed in agreement, unwilling to contradict him when he was so pleased with himself. Andrew chuckled at her reaction and drew her a little closer, clearly enjoying the effect his words had on her.

Andrew let his hand slide down her shoulder before resting it around her waist. "Would you like to come to my company tomorrow? Let the employees meet their lady boss."

"Lady boss?" Caroline tilted her head, looking at him curiously.

"Hmm. You’re my wife, which makes you the lady boss," Andrew explained with a playful smile.

"All right. We should take some gifts for the employees, if you don’t mind," Caroline suggested.

"You don’t need to ask me for permission. Just do whatever you want and whatever makes you happy," Andrew replied. "We can organize a party for them, too."

Caroline looked at him with surprise. "You’ve already thought of so many things."

"Of course. I want you to enjoy yourself."

She smiled before growing thoughtful. "I’d also like to meet the omega families living here. I want to find out what their lives are like and see if there’s anything I can do to help them. That doesn’t mean I’ll neglect the other families, though. I want to help anyone who genuinely needs it, regardless of their rank."

Andrew listened without interrupting, understanding what she wanted to accomplish.