Rebirth: The New Bride Wants A Divorce-Chapter 349: You started it

She exhaled, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You’re still not sleeping in here tonight."

Daniel laughed quietly. "Worth it."

She pressed one last lingering kiss to his lips before pulling back, then stood and offered him her hand. "Come on," she said. "Floor time is officially over."

Daniel took her hand, rising smoothly, their fingers staying intertwined as if letting go wasn’t an option anymore. The walk back to their room was quiet, charged, every step heavier than the last.

The moment they crossed the threshold—

Anna suddenly turned, shoved Daniel back, and sent him falling onto the bed with a soft thud.

"Anna—" he started.

She didn’t give him the chance to finish.

She climbed onto the mattress, bracing her hands on either side of him and hovering over his body, her hair falling forward like a curtain. Daniel blinked once, then slowly smiled.

"So," he murmured, "this is still punishment?"

Anna tilted her head, eyes gleaming. "Oh, absolutely."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself far too much. "You’re abusing your authority."

"I warned you," she replied, leaning closer, close enough for him to feel her breath against his skin. "You agreed to pay."

Daniel’s hands instinctively lifted, then paused mid air. "Am I allowed to touch?"

She considered it for a beat, pretending to think, before placing one finger against his chest. "Not yet."

That made his smile turn dangerous.

Anna narrowed her eyes. "Don’t look so pleased."

"I’m lying on my bed," he said calmly. "With my wife hovering over me. I’d be concerned if I wasn’t."

She scoffed but couldn’t stop the smile threatening to escape. "You’re impossible."

"And you still came looking for me," he countered softly.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the teasing fading into something warmer, heavier. Anna leaned down slowly, her forehead brushing his.

"This doesn’t erase what you did," she said quietly.

"I know," Daniel replied, just as softly. "But I’m not running from it."

Her gaze searched his face, as if measuring the truth of his words.

"Where did Fiona touch you?" Anna asked, jealousy threading unmistakably through her voice.

Daniel smirked, thoroughly entertained. He lifted his hand lazily. "Here."

She stared at him, unimpressed. "That’s it?"

"That’s it," he replied smoothly, though the faint haze of wine still lingered in his senses. He hadn’t let it overtake him, hadn’t let anything get out of control. Fiona had never truly been close enough to matter. But explaining that now would ruin the moment.

Right now, Anna’s possessiveness was far more interesting.

She leaned closer, her gaze never leaving his, and pressed a slow kiss to his wrist. The simple contact sent a quiet thrill through him.

"Where else?" she asked, her voice lower now, firmer. Demanding.

Daniel’s breath hitched despite himself. "Careful," he murmured. "You’re enjoying this too much."

Her lips curved slightly as she kissed along his forearm, unhurried, deliberate, as if she were retracing invisible lines. "I’m reclaiming," she said simply.

He chuckled softly, eyes darkening. "As if anyone else could."

Anna ignored the comment and continued, her kisses trailing higher, pausing at his elbow, then his bicep. Each touch was intentional, possessive without being rushed. Daniel stayed still beneath her, letting her set the pace, though the restraint was costing him.

"You’re marking me," he said quietly, amused and affected all at once.

"That’s the point," she replied, brushing her lips against his shoulder. "So you remember."

"Trust me," he murmured, "I won’t forget."

She moved closer, her hair brushing his skin, her presence overwhelming in the best way. She kissed along his collarbone, lingering there just long enough to make him exhale sharply.

"Anna," he warned softly.

She paused, lifting her head to look at him. "What?"

"If you keep going," he said, voice low, "I won’t be responsible for my self-control."

She smiled, triumphant. "Good."

But instead of continuing lower, she shifted, her hands framing his face. For a moment, she simply looked at him, as if committing the sight to memory.

"This," she said quietly, "is mine."

Then she kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed or desperate. It was deep, claiming, filled with everything she hadn’t said aloud. Daniel responded instantly, one hand lifting to her waist before stopping himself, a quiet groan escaping him.

When she finally pulled back, she rested her forehead against his, breath uneven.

"Now," she said softly, "you can kiss me back."

His smile was slow and dangerous.

Daniel didn’t wait any longer.

The moment Anna gave him permission, he took it.

His hands slid to her waist and in one smooth motion he pulled her closer, turning them so she was the one pressed down against the mattress while he hovered over her. His gaze never left hers, dark, intense, unmistakably intent.

"You shouldn’t challenge me like that," he murmured, his lips brushing hers without fully kissing yet. "You know I don’t back down."

Anna’s breath hitched, but her chin lifted stubbornly. "Then don’t," she whispered. "Prove it."

That was all it took.

Daniel captured her lips properly this time, the kiss deep and demanding, all restraint finally cracking. It wasn’t gentle anymore. It was heated, hungry, filled with everything they’d been holding back. His hand slid into her hair, tilting her head just enough to deepen the kiss, while his other arm caged her in.

Anna responded instantly, fingers gripping his shoulders as she kissed him back just as fiercely. "You’re enjoying this way too much," she breathed when they broke apart for air.

He smiled against her lips. "You started it." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"I finished it," she shot back, tugging him closer by his collar.

Daniel laughed softly, the sound low and dangerous. "Careful, Anna. If you keep pulling me like that, I might forget I was the one being punished."

She smirked. "Oh, I haven’t forgotten."

She bit his lower lip lightly, just enough to make him suck in a sharp breath.

"Anna," he warned, voice rough now.

"Yes?" she asked innocently.

"You’re playing with fire."

Her hands slid up his neck, nails grazing his skin. "Good," she whispered. "I like watching you burn."

That was his undoing.

Daniel kissed her again, slower this time but no less intense, as if he were reclaiming every inch of the moment. His forehead rested against hers when they finally paused, both of them breathing hard.

"You’re impossible," he murmured.

"And you’re mine," she replied without hesitation.

His eyes softened at that, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Always."

The world outside the room faded completely, leaving only the heat between them and the unspoken promise hanging thick in the air.