Dolores’s mind went blank for a few seconds. Under Matthew’s intense gaze, it took her a moment to regain her composure. “Are… are you okay?” she asked, her instinctual defensiveness kicking in.
Matthew’s powerful body crouched over her. The lust in his eyes burned intensely, almost overflowing, but he fought to restrain himself. “You thought I had a fever?” he questioned, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Touch his forehead?
Did she not realize that she shouldn’t touch him right now?
Especially as a woman!
It was purely instinctual. People would usually touch someone’s forehead when they were sick. After all, he wasn’t feeling well, so Dolores treated him as if she would a patient.
“I’m relieved that you’re fine,” Dolores said, sensing the danger and attempting to free herself from beneath him.
Matthew shifted his weight, pressing down on her body as she tried to move. “Don’t you think you owe me something after using me to your advantage?” he whispered into her ear, his lips almost grazing her skin. The hot breath he exhaled sent shivers down her spine. This position triggered memories buried deep in her heart. That night, the man had loomed over her just like this, demanding dominance…
She trembled slightly, and he grew tense as well.
“Mr. Nelson… I… I’ll take you to the hospital,” Dolores forced herself to remain calm. “I’m a woman who has been intimate with another man. I’m certain you wouldn’t be interested.”
Dolores deliberately emphasized the words “intimate with another man.”
It was meant as a reminder, but also to deliberately repulse him.
If he found it repulsive, even if his desire burned intensely, he would be able to control himself.
As expected, upon hearing Dolores utter those words, Matthew’s eyes acquired a hint of coldness. They still held desire, but the intensity had waned.
His fingers traced her cheek, jaw, and then gripped her neck, his voice filled with anger. “Are you involved?”
Dolores shook her head. “No, no, I’m at odds with them. How could I collaborate with them to set you up? You’re my protector; I know which is more important.”
A drop of sweat fell on Dolores’s face. Her body stiffened. He truly fought to restrain himself. In the faint light outside the car, she could see beads of sweat on his forehead.
Dolores tried to move her arm, and Matthew didn’t stop her. She opened the car window, allowing fresh air to fill the car. The tension between them lessened, and Matthew’s mind grew slightly clearer.
His voice turned hoarse and low. “Call Abbott.”
After speaking, he turned and lay on his side. Dolores exited the car and rummaged through his pockets, searching for his phone. Uncertain which pocket it was in, she tried both but couldn’t find it. When she reached his pants pocket, Matthew frowned. “Don’t touch it.”
His voice conveyed his struggle to control himself. Abruptly, he opened his eyes and locked his gaze on Dolores. “If you keep touching…”
He feared he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself.
He took Dolores’s hand and guided it to his right pants pocket. “Here,” he said, releasing her hand and closing his eyes once more.
Dolores retrieved the phone from his pants pocket, found Abbott’s number, and dialed it.
She stepped out of the back seat and waited outside the car for Abbott to arrive.
It was too unsafe for her to remain in the car.
Who knew if Matthew’s self-restraint would hold?
Abbott arrived within ten minutes; his speed impressive. He assisted Matthew back to the villa.
Initially, Dolores had asked Abbott to take Matthew to the hospital, concerned about his health.
However, Matthew allowed Abbott to take him back to the villa.
Once they were back, Dolores prepared a bucket of cold water in the bathroom, hoping to revive him. Though he was technically awake, he appeared groggy and disoriented.
After spending over an hour soaking in the icy water, Matthew’s limbs felt heavy as if they were chained with iron shackles. He relied completely on Abbott and Dolores to help him out.
Once Matthew was settled on the bed, Abbott turned to Dolores. “I don’t think I can assist you with the next task. I’ll wait outside. Let me know if you need anything.”
Dolores was at a loss for words.
“But if you leave, then what about him?” Dolores pointed to the dripping wet man.
What should she do?
Abbott shrugged and explained his inability to help. “I definitely can’t handle the job of changing clothes. That’s something you, as Mr. Nelson’s legal wife, should do. It’s only natural for you to take care of him and help him change.”
Dolores was speechless.
On paper, they were reasonable and legally bound, but…
“I’ll wait outside,” Abbott said before exiting and closing the door. He stood outside, shivering. Changing Matthew’s clothes and seeing his bare body?
Even though it was just a passing thought, Abbott could easily envision Matthew’s furious expression.
Perhaps he would lose his job.
Dolores stood beside the bed, distress filling her gaze as she observed the man lying there. If she didn’t change his wet clothes, he would surely catch a cold.
Change them, she must. Dolores glanced helplessly at the sparkling crystal chandelier on the ceiling and took a deep breath. “You’re in this state because of me. I can’t just leave you alone.”
Bending down, she unbuttoned his shirt one by one. She lifted his arm, removed his clothes, and unbuckled his belt. She turned her head to take off his pants and blindly searched for a blanket to cover his body.
Once she finished, Dolores looked at him. He appeared unconscious, sleeping soundly.
She took the wet clothes and walked out. Seeing her emerge, Abbott rose from the sofa. “Did you finish changing his clothes?”
Dolores nodded, handing the wet clothes to Coral.
“Mr. Nelson might need someone to stay by his side tonight. You stay here. Call me if anything happens, and I’ll head back first.” Abbott grabbed his jacket.
Helplessly, Dolores nodded and found a dry towel to gently dry Matthew’s hair.
As she dried his hair, and when she moved to place the towel aside, her wrist was suddenly gripped by Matthew. With some force, he pulled her toward him, and she landed on the bed. He turned over, resting his long legs on her body. Dolores attempted to push him away, but the more she pushed, the tighter his embrace became.
He held her delicate frame firmly, burying his head in the crook of her neck, and whispered softly, “Don’t be afraid…”
Dolores didn’t dare to move. His voice was barely audible, so she asked softly, “What did you say?”
But there was no response.
Eventually, fatigue overcame Dolores, and she drifted off to sleep on the bed.
Warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. Matthew’s eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes opened. He squinted, adjusting to the light after his night of deep slumber. He closed his eyes and reopened them a moment later.
When he tried to move, he noticed something pressing against his arm. He turned his head and saw a woman nestled in the crook of his arm.
Her cascading black hair and thick, curly eyelashes were reminiscent of a waterfall and fluttering butterflies. Her lips were cherry-like and slightly pursed, and her steady breaths were calming. All of this unsettled him unexpectedly. He gently shifted his arm, causing Dolores to stir.
Her body moved slightly, and her eyelashes trembled before slowly opening. She was greeted by the sight of an impeccably handsome face, as if it were sculpted by a master artist.
He still appeared half-asleep.
A thought crossed her mind, causing her to feel relieved. How embarrassing would it be if he woke up?
She lifted the blanket, intending to slip away before Matthew awakened. She got up from the bed, her bare feet touching the floor. As she turned to cover him with the blanket, she inadvertently noticed something on his shoulder.
Her breath caught in her throat.
How did he end up with bite marks on his shoulder?
Dolores’s mind raced, a shocking realization exploding within her!