Colette forced a smile, trying to mask the unease gnawing at her. “Look, it’s not about a baby or anything serious,” she said, hoping her voice sounded more confident than she felt. “We just had a little tiff in the car on the way here. That’s all. It’ll resolve itself. No need to worry.” She crossed her fingers behind her back, silently praying that her words would somehow become true. This trip, despite the tension, had rekindled a flicker of hope in her heart–hope that her marriage could be saved. For the first time in two years, she had glimpsed the man she fell in love with. The man who used to make her laugh with sweet jokes, who would tease her playfully, and who cherished her in ways that went beyond the physical. She clung to the memory of that connection, desperate to believe it could be restored.
As evening descended, Danny awoke from his nap, bursting with energy. He dashed outside, his excitement bubbling over as he begged Matt to teach him how to ride his new bike. With the training wheels providing balance, little Danny was soon pedaling confidently around the garden, his bright yellow bike gleaming under the fading light. Matt and his father stood close by, guiding and cheering him on, their shared joy palpable. Colette watched from a distance, her heart swelling at the sight of Matt interacting so lovingly with his younger half–brother.
A short while later, as Colette stood alone in a quiet corner, Matt approached her. “Do you think we should stay the night?” he asked, his voice soft.
Colette blinked, caught off guard. “Huh?”
“Roxy asked us to stay over, and I’m still tired from the long drive. If you have no objections, we could spend the night here,” Matt suggested, his tone casual, though his eyes held a hint of something more.
Colette nodded, surprised by his willingness to extend their visit. Matt usually barely tolerated being in Roxy’s presence, let alone staying overnight in her home. “Of course, we could stay,” she agreed, trying to hide her surprise.
“Good. I’ll let her know.” Matt smiled then, a smile so genuine and bright that it took Colette’s breath away. He reached out, playfully tweaking her nose before turning to leave. The simple gesture, coupled with that dazzling smile, made Colette’s heart skip a beat.
It wasn’t until after dinner that the reason for Matt’s earlier smile became clear. The family had finished their meal, and everyone was relaxing with coffee when Colette realized they had been given the only single guest room in the house to share. She caught Matt’s eye across the room, and he grinned at her like a cat that had just caught the canary.
“Go ahead,” he nudged her gently after they’d finished their coffee, his voice low and suggestive. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he added, “And wait for me.” The seductive tone of his words sent a shiver down Colette’s spine, and she blushed furiously, her face burning as she hurried up the stairs toward their
room.
Colette knew what Matt wanted–he had never been subtle about his desire for her, and tonight was no exception. But as she stood in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, doubts began to creep in. She had felt the rekindling of their connection over the past few days, but was she truly ready to take that next step? Deep down, she feared that once they rekindled their physical relationship, everything would revert to the way it had been before–the emotional distance, the coldness, the feeling of being unwanted outside of the bedroom. And the looming shadow of Iris Layson was still very much present, a reminder of the unresolved issues that lingered between them.
As she wrestled with her thoughts, a sharp ringing interrupted the quiet. Colette glanced around and saw Matt’s phone buzzing on the bedside table, left behind with their luggage. She hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest, before picking it up. The name on the screen made her stomach lurch–Iris Layson.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
