“Feeling shy now? What if I want to hear you dere your love for me?”


    Ste, ever so reserved, found it even harder to respond to his probing.


    Matthew’s gaze remained intently on her.


    Under his unyielding stare, Ste’s face turned a deeper shade of red.


    Just as she was about to utter those three words, Matthew swiftly pulled her into his arms.


    His lips imed hers in a lingering ki*s that caught her off guard.


    At first gentle, the ki*s intensified, growing fervent and assertive.


    Breathless after the ki*s, Ste caught her breath.


    Matthew tenderly grasped her chin.


    “Since you won’t say it, I will.


    ”


    She rarely saw this side of Matthew and was mesmerized, unable to look away.


    Wrapping his arms around her waist, he nestled his head on her shoulder and continued, “Make sure you remember this.


    I love you, always remember that.


    ”


    He smiled slightly, his eyes brimming with unmistakable love.


    Ste pursed her lips, overwhelmed with emotion.


    After a fleeting nce into his eyes, she quickly looked away.


    “You were the first to say ‘I love you’ to me,” she murmured.


    “I’ll never forget that.


    I love you, too.


    ”


    Matthew’s heart raced upon hearing her words, his eyes alight with fervor.


    He gazed intently at Ste, and then captured her lips in amanding ki*s.


    He ki*sed her passionately, one hand cradling her head, the other drawing her close, as if trying to be one with her.


    Ste’s senses blurred, and she surrendered to the intensity of the ki*s.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Matthew swept her up in his arms and carried her upstairs to the bedroom.


    The room, filled with flowers, carried a heavy scent that seemed to envelop her in a floral sea.


    As passion took over, Matthew pressed close to her on the bed.


    Ste had longed for this moment, and her body eagerly responded to his advances.


    Matthew’s gaze, deep and yearning, softened as he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his eyes revealing his raw desire.


    He gently parted Ste’s lips for another deep ki*s.


    As she closed her eyes, lost in the moment, she felt his arm tighten around her waist.


    Concern flickering through her mind, Ste asked, “Does your wound hurt?”


    Matthew uttered in a raspy whisper, “I’m fine.


    ”


    “Then, please be careful.


    ”


    Matthew nodded.


    Gently, he parted her legs and entered her slowly, filling herpletely.