Serena calmly looked at him, reaching out to cup his face.

" I just want you to understand that it's not that I'm unwilling, but rather, you are. You have a strong sense of responsibility. I am only your nominal wife, and you protect me at every turn, preventing me from harm. If you take away my body, the two-year agreement might become void. You are well aware of this, so since we got married, you have never thought about what could happen between us. Even when you hold me or kiss me, you've never thought about it in that way."

Matthew's hand, pressing down on the blanket, stiffened. A...