"Exactly." Erine was excited beyond compare. "When I heard that you were coming back today, I thought about going to the market to buy some fresh produce so I could cook a delicious meal for you."
Matthew could not suppress a smile. "Erine, you don't have to bother with buying groceries. Leave it to the kitchen staff."
Erine immediately shook her head and protested, "Sir, you don't know this, but those kitchen staff don't know how to choose the freshest ingredients. If we want the best of the best, I'll have to go myself."
Matthew's smile lingered. "Alright then, Erine. Go."
Erine was also all smiles as she looked Matthew over. "Sir, I'm delighted to see you back here. I've been worried sick."
"How's Selina?" Matthew questioned.
"Miss Whitlock is still sleeping."
"Is she in a better mood these days?"
Erine hesitated for a moment.
Selina wasn't exactly in high spirits as of late.
Erine gave a vague answer. "Miss Whitlock was lonely when you were not around. She wouldn't be in the best of moods, naturally."
A shadow came across Matthew's expression.
"I won't leave like that in the future," he replied in a low voice.
Erine rejoiced at his words.
"That's wonderful. Your departure made everyone worry." Erine paused and then asked, "May I bring up something else?"
"Go ahead."
Erine spoke hesitantly, "Sir, can you not block me? Not being able to contact you for these few days, and not knowing how you were doing... The anxiety nearly killed me."
Matthew smiled in response.
"Okay," he acquiesced.
Only then did Erine smile in return. "Thank you, sir."
After bidding Erine goodbye, Matthew then headed upstairs. Upon reaching the bedroom, he gently pushed the door open.
Selina was still deep in sleep.
Although thick curtains hung at the window from the ceiling to the floor, some light still seeped through and illuminated part of Selina's face. The sunshine made Selina's porcelain fair skin even fairer. It looked almost translucent, and Matthew could see every tiny pore and hair on her face.
Her breathing was soft and her lips were slightly parted.
Matthew sat at the foot of the bed, gazing at the sleeping Selina. His lips curled inevitably as he watched her.
He sat there just looking at her, unmoving, for nearly an hour. Then, Selina's lashes and eyelids began to tremble and flutter a little.
Her lids lifted, and she opened her eyes.
The sight of the man at the foot of her bed gave her the fright of her life.
Selina rubbed her eyes. "Am I hallucinating?"
She bolted upright and fixed her gaze on Matthew, muttering, "Am I dreaming?"
Matthew laughed.
Swiftly, he hugged her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. "Do you think this is a hallucination?"
His familiar masculine scent enveloped Selina.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
It was not a hallucination.
It was not a dream.
"Matthew." Her eyes reddened with tears.
Matthew's lips met hers as he kissed her deeply.
That kiss was the best way to erase all the worries and turbulent emotions in Selina's heart.
Selina responded to Matthew warmly and passionately.
As they kissed, Selina fell onto the bed once more. Matthew's body pressed onto her.
One by one, their clothes joined a heap on the floor. Their bodies intertwined with each other.
It was noon by the time they were done.
It was because Selina was famished.
Both of them went downstairs to have lunch.
Brine had already prepared an entire feast of sumptuous dishes.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Heart only Beats for You (Natalie Godfrey)