HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Althea couldn’t deny the flutter of nerves twisting in her stomach. It wasn’t just a little unease—her heart was pounding with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She had only gotten up to fetch a glass of water, but somehow that simple act had led her to prepare a light dinner. Daven had seemed drained, his exhaustion evident, and hungry too. Now, here she was—standing inside a room she had never crossed the threshold of before.

Daven’s bedroom.

A space that felt both foreign and intimate all at once.

She cursed herself silently, wondering how she had gotten so worked up over something that should have felt natural. Yet, no matter how much she tried to steady her nerves, tonight was the night she had dreamed about. The night she had waited for with quiet longing. The night when she would finally be with Daven—not just as the woman who shared his home, but as his wife.

A night that should have come a year ago.

“Don’t do anything foolish, Althea,” she whispered to herself, clutching the soft fabric of her pajamas tightly. “Just keep up with him. You can handle this.” She tried to summon the strength from the countless romantic novels she’d devoured, telling herself, *You’ve got this.*

The room was softly lit, bathed in muted shades of grey and white, with a minimalist decor that felt more like a sleek hotel suite than a personal bedroom. It was neat, almost sterile, but comforting in its simplicity. Daven had asked her to wait while he took a shower, and now the only sounds were the steady ticking of the clock and the distant murmur of water from the bathroom.

When the water finally stopped, her heart leapt wildly in her chest.

He was done.

“Stay calm. Breathe,” she coached herself, trying to keep the rising panic at bay.

She stood by the window, avoiding the perfectly made bed as if it might betray her nerves. The soft cotton of her sleepwear hugged her slight frame, making her feel smaller, more vulnerable than usual. The light from outside cast her silhouette against the glass, a quiet figure caught between anticipation and hesitation.

Daven appeared, walking toward her with a small, amused smile. “You really waited for me,” he said, his voice light but genuine. Honestly, he had half expected her to run off. But no—Althea was true to her word.

“You told me to wait, didn’t you?” she replied, turning to face him, only to pause in surprise.

He stood shirtless, his damp hair loosely wrapped in a towel, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts. The sight caught her off guard, stirring a mixture of warmth and nervousness inside her.

“You haven’t dried your hair yet?” she asked, stepping closer before she could stop herself.

“Sit down,” she offered softly, surprising herself with the confidence in her voice. “I’ll dry it for you.” She reached for the towel but hesitated, unsure if she was overstepping.

Her stiffness made Daven chuckle softly, a low sound that made her lift her head in confusion. “You’re laughing at me?”

“What else?” he teased, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. They were sharp, intense, like the midnight sky outside, focused solely on her. “You’ve been begging me for this, haven’t you? Going on and on about our agreement since yesterday…” His voice was deliberately provocative, each word a gentle push. He took a step closer. “And now that I ask you to come closer, you hesitate?”

“I’m not hesitating,” she shot back, lifting her chin with determination. “I told you—I want tonight to be the night we’re truly husband and wife.”

Daven didn’t stop moving forward. Step by step, he closed the distance until her back met the wall with a soft thud.

“Ugh,” Althea breathed out, startled but with nowhere left to retreat.

“This is my first time, Daven,” she confessed quietly, her voice trembling—not just from nerves but from raw honesty. She hoped he would soften, even just a little, sensing her vulnerability. Because right now, she was scared.

Daven remained silent.

His eyes—sharp, unreadable—narrowed slightly as his hand rose to gently cup her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.