Chapter 173
The takeout bag in Matthew's hand was snatched away by Sophie. She grabbed his collar and led him toward the bed.
Without warning, she took his hand and placed it on her waist.
At the touch, Matthew's fingers tightened.
"You're not wearing clothes?"
Sophie bit her lip and said nothing. Instead, she fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one.
Matthew caught her hand, his voice guarded. "Say something."
She remained silent, pressing her body against him.
The soft contact made his lower abdomen tense instantly. He swallowed hard and gripped her wrist. “Sophie, say something.”
“What are you afraid of?” she finally asked.
Hearing her voice, Matthew exhaled in relief and released her hand.
"What are you trying to do?” He knew her intention—he just did not understand why she was acting this way tonight.
"You."
"What?"
"I said, I'm playing with you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Matthew let out a low groan, caught between discomfort and desire.
He clenched his jaw, enduring her deliberate teasing.
Now accustomed to the darkness, he could see faint light filtering through the curtains.
"What's in the bag?" he asked, still remembering the takeout she had insisted he bring. He had assumed it contained something to heighten the mood.
"Morning-after pills."
Matthew froze. "I'll use protection."
"What if you forget?" Sophie replied. "Just in case."
He frowned, about to argue, when she settled onto his lap, her fingers tracing slow, deliberate paths along his skin.
Then she asked softly, “When you told me to speak earlier, were you afraid someone else had taken my place?"
Matthew swallowed repeatedly. He had never realized Sophie could be so tormenting when she wanted to be.
"Yeah."
She laughed quietly. “You’re cautious. But by the time you asked, if it really was someone else, it would already be too late."
His body was taut, stretched to its limit. He had no idea where she learned these tactics that left him both desperate and helpless.
“If it really were someone else, you would have set me up,” he said through clenched teeth.
Finally unable to endure any longer, he seized her hands. “That’s enough.”
He flipped her beneath him in one swift motion.
His breathing was heavy, barely restrained. “You started this."
Sophie did not resist.
In the dim light, she could see the beads of sweat on his forehead, the veins standing out along his neck, his Adam’s apple rising and falling sharply.
His body radiated heat.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “I started it. Matthew, now it’s your turn.”
At her words, something in him snapped.
That night, the world seemed to spin for Sophie. The shifting light beyond the curtains blurred into waves.
She regretted underestimating him.
She had thought she understood his limits.
She was wrong.
Matthew was not much better off.
The difference was that he recovered faster.
MLater, he carried her to the bathroom. The bathtub was already filled with warm water. Holding her close, he lowered them both into it.
Sophie closed her eyes, too exhausted to care about anything else.
The warmth eased the soreness in her body, and she simply let herself float.
Matthew held her quietly.
“Why?” he asked after a moment.
“Hmm?” She barely had the strength to respond.
He studied her flushed lips, noticing a small cut where she had accidentally brushed against his teeth.
"Why did you do this tonight?"
Even now, he could not understand what had prompted her sudden boldness.
Her hand rested weakly on his chest. “When adults are in love, isn’t this natural?"
He ran his hand over her shoulder, not disagreeing.
"Physical connection strengthens a relationship,” she murmured. “I wanted to, so I did.”
They were no longer naive teenagers.
When desire surfaced, they no longer needed excuses.
Matthew inhaled deeply,, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “The more, the better.”
Sophie did not respond.
This had already drained her completely.
After soaking for more than ten minutes, she fell asleep in his arms.
Matthew lifted her from the water.
His gaze traveled over the faint marks he had left behind. She looked delicate, flushed, and warm.
He carried her to the sofa instead of the bed and whispered her name.
“Sophie…”
She stirred, eyes fluttering open at the movement.
"You..."
"Last time..."
The next morning, Matthew stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, refreshed and composed.
He glanced back at the woman still sleeping in the bed, tenderness softening his expression.
Checking the time, he walked over and gently brushed her cheek.
“Sophie.”
Sophie frowned slightly in response.
"I have an important meeting. I need to head to the office first.”
"Mm." She did not open her eyes.
He kissed her forehead before leaving.
In the hotel lobby, he unexpectedly ran into Joshua.
Joshua was equally surprised.
"Mr. Moore,” Joshua greeted respectfully.
"Why are you staying at a hotel?" Matthew asked casually.
“Emily is staying at my place,” Joshua replied.
Matthew merely raised an eyebrow and did not pursue the matter.
They went to the office together and immersed themselves in work—meetings, reports, and a cross-ocean video conference.
The morning passed quickly
During a brief pause, Matthew checked his phone. There were no messages from Sophie. She was likely still asleep.
He was about to call her when his phone rang.
It was her.
“Awake?” he asked.
"Matthew, my back hurts." Her voice sounded close to tears.
The warmth in his expression vanished instantly.
He stood up and headed for the door.
“I’m coming right now.”