Chapter 109
Matthew stopped.
He turned around, and Sophie bumped straight into him.
He didn't move.
Sophie covered her forehead, about to step back, but Matthew held her in place.
"Let go of me!" Sophie pushed him.
Matthew hugged her tight for a moment, then released her. His palm slid down from her arm, taking her hand and leading her forward.
His fingertip gently rubbed against her ring finger, which was still empty.
While he kept wearing that ring, keeping his married status firmly in place.
Their footsteps were slow and in sync, everything as calm as the sea surface at that moment, undisturbed.
Only Sophie knew that Matthew's actions had stirred up waves in her heart, making it impossible for her to stay calm.
She couldn't understand why he had become like this.
It felt like he loved her deeply and couldn't bear to let her go.
"The sunset here is beautiful."
Matthew stopped, looking at the horizon over the sea. The sun was already close to the horizon, the sunset reflecting on the water's surface with gentle waves rolling in layers. It was as beautiful as those photos online.
It really was beautiful.
More beautiful than the one she watched with Jacob that day.
Maybe it was too beautiful. Influenced by the environment, many couples were kissing unconsciously, looking beautiful and romantic.
Sophie's heart was beating fast.
Mood can be affected by surroundings. Her throat felt a bit dry now, her heart tingling.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her. Matthew held her shoulders and lowered his head.
His lips were slightly cool.
Sophie completely forgot to refuse.
Maybe the environment and atmosphere here made her not want to refuse.
The two embraced, their breaths mingling, lost in the moment. Their beautiful silhouettes on the beach made the romance even more tangible with the sunset glow.
Sophie was intoxicated. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around Matthew's waist.
The evening breeze was gentle, just right.
It went on too long, and their breathing became short, almost unable to catch their breath.
Only then did Matthew reluctantly let go, his forehead resting against hers, hands gripping her shoulders, both panting.
"Back to the hotel?" Matthew's voice was low, hoarse, and rough, unusually sexy.
Sophie was still catching her breath, hadn't said anything yet, when her body was already lifted off the ground. She quickly wrapped her arms around Matthew's neck.
Matthew strode forward, ignoring the passionate scenes on both sides. He swallowed, suppressing the flame in his heart, carrying her back to the hotel.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window was a fiery red color, turning the room into a warm and romantic space.
Matthew placed Sophie on the bed, his gaze burning.
Sophie stared at him. What was in his eyes was very clear, already surfacing, extremely intense.
Earlier, if they hadn't been outside, who knows how far things would have gone?
Matthew said nothing and kissed her again.
The view outside was too beautiful, so beautiful that people forgot to refuse, forgot about their relationship.
Sophie closed her eyes, her mind like fireworks going off.
One burst after another, one after another.
"Matthew," Sophie's voice was trembling.
"I'm here." Matthew kept his head lowered, his hand gently caressing her, tender and affectionate.
Sophie opened her eyes, her hands already running through his hair. She was holding back, wanting to refuse but reluctant to give up this feeling, even looking forward to what would come next.
She took a deep breath, "Is this... okay for us?"
"Do you want to?" Matthew's voice was somewhat muffled.
Sophie took a breath and closed her eyes.
She wanted to.
Actually, love is something that, as long as you happen to catch that moment when hormones explode, feelings aren't necessary.
Sophie wasn't that resistant to him.
Before, she had been thinking about it constantly. If it weren't for all those interruptions, they would have done it long ago.
Wasn't it just that thing?
A pleasure they could both enjoy, no need to miss out.
They were still in a marriage relationship now, perfectly normal.
Sophie relaxed. She held Matthew tight.
A silent response, as if giving Matthew confirmation.
This was destined to be an arrow that, once released couldn't turn back. Sophie never knew that what people said and actual experience were so vastly different.
She even felt that in this intimate encounter, there was love between them.
Otherwise, how could they be so compatible?
She didn't dare think too deeply about it—sleeping together before the divorce.
Sophie couldn't remember exactly what she did, only the tears at the corners of her eyes reminding her she had cried again and again.
Anyway, in the end, her whole body was weak, her eyes sore, her throat dry and aching, her entire being soft, her mind unable to function.
She still had a bit of consciousness, but once she closed her eyes, she completely blanked out and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Matthew held her, eyes closed, his mind full of scenes from what had just happened.
Thinking of the initial obstacles, he opened his eyes.
Turning his head to look at the soft woman in his arms, Matthew couldn't help but hold her tighter.
Didn't love her?
He didn't dare say that so firmly anymore.
"Sophie, let's not get divorced." Matthew's voice was very soft.
The person in his arms breathed evenly, with no response.
Sophie had never slept so deeply, and without dreams.
She moved slightly. The soreness and pain throughout her body left her momentarily confused. When her hand touched the man beside her, she suddenly remembered last night's madness with Matthew.
"Awake?" As soon as she moved, Matthew woke up.
Sophie wanted to leave his embrace, but he held her tighter.
"Let go of me!" Sophie spoke and was startled.
Was this still her voice?
Why did it sound so awful?
Matthew did let her go. "Can you get up?"
Why couldn't she?
Sophie lifted the blanket, then quickly covered herself again.
She wasn't wearing any clothes!
So, all night, she and he had slept embracing each other naked!
When Sophie lifted the blanket, Matthew saw the red marks on her body, vivid and alluring, sexy and seductive.
Last night, they were wild.
At first, he thought she would refuse, but unexpectedly she was even more forceful than him.
"Go take a bath." Matthew got out of bed first and scooped her up from the bed.
Sophie wanted to refuse, but she was already in his arms.
She tried to move, just lifted her leg, but it was so sore she couldn't stand steady.
Matthew carried her into the bathroom. The water was set to a constant temperature, and he placed her in the water.
"How is it? Comfortable?"
Hearing this, Sophie's face suddenly flushed red.
Last night, he seemed to have asked the same question.
She hadn't answered then, just kept seeking more from him.
Matthew saw her reddening face and smiled.
"Soak for a while first. Call me if you need anything." Matthew stood up, grabbed a nearby towel, and wrapped it around his waist.
Sophie looked up and saw the fresh scratch marks on his back, her face getting hotter and hotter.
Especially seeing the scratches below his lower back covered by the towel, she remembered her wild abandon on his body last night.
She squeezed her eyes shut. What kind of mess was this?