When Love Comes Late

Though her back was to him, Stella felt a wave of self—consciousness wash over her.

Even after all their shared countless intimate moments, broad daylight brought a certain bashfulness she couldn’t shake.

“Hurry up,” she muttered, her voice laced with a mix of urgency and embarrassment.

“Tie it quickly and leave.

”

Matthew’s smile deepened as he placed his hands on her bare back, his touch sending a shock of cold through her warm skin, like ice meeting fire.

Goosebumps erupted in response, and she instinctively tried to pull away.

“Don’t move,” he commanded, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

Stella froze, caught between fight and flight.

“Your hands are freezing.

Don’t touch me with them.

”

But Matthew paid no heed to her protests.

His hands lingered on her back, moving in slow, deliberate strokes as if savoring the moment.

“You’ll warm up once you’re used to it,” he murmured, his tone suggesting more than just physical warmth.

Another shiver coursed through her, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to focus.

“Just.

don’t forget to tie a bow, okay?”

Resisting the primal urge to tear away the flimsy garment, Matthew nodded, his voice tight with restraint.

“I’ll make it perfect.

”

Sensing the precarious edge they were teetering on, he quickly tied a neat bow with the laces, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“ALL done,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Stella turned to face him, her gaze falling on his suit, still perfectly in place.

She frowned, momentarily confused.

“Why haven’t you changed yet? I’m going out first.

You should get ready.

”

But before she could escape, Matthew’s hand shot out, catching her arm in a gentle but firm grip.

“I helped you,” he said, a sly grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Now it’s your turn.

”

Stella sighed, a hint of exasperation laced with affection.

“You’re just putting on swimming trunks.

How could you possibly need help with that?”

But Matthew was insistent, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“You never know.

I might.

”

Stella knew better than to argue.

When Matthew set his mind on something, resistance was futile.

Their stalemate could last forever if she didn’t give in, and if they came out too late, Miley might tease her again.

With a resigned sigh, she took off his coat, and then her fingers deftly worked through the buttons of his shirt one by one.

As the shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his chiseled torso, the sight took her breath away.

His abs were a masterpiece, each muscle perfectly defined, leading down to a V-Line that was nothing short of tantalizing.

For a moment, she could do nothing but stare, her mouth dry, captivated by the vision before her.

It was like standing before a statue of a Greek god, sculpted to perfection, and she couldn’t help but feel a rush of admiration-and something more.

The room was so silent that even the sound of Stella swallowing was audible to Matthew.

With a subtle smile, he removed his shirt, completely exposing his chest and abs.

He then teased her, “Stay focused.

You haven’t helped me take off my pants yet.

”

Stella glanced up at him upon hearing this.

Matthew maintained a serious expression.