“We both have our own names,” I replied with a saddened pout. “What do you want me to call you? Baby? Sweetheart? Darling? Or Hubby?”
These loving titles seemed out of place for such a stoic person like Anthony.
Although we have been married for many years, I could not recall the last time I referred to him in such an intimate manner.
Anthony remained silent; his dark gaze was unreadable and impossible to decipher. “Hubby?” I asked tentatively.
The usually solemn Anthony seemed to be stunned by my words.
His flustered face nearly made me laugh aloud. How adorable! “Hubby!” I crooned gently and leaned on his chest.
According to Nora, there was a key technique when it came to flirting or being coy. A woman should sport a flirtatious gaze and a gentle voice; this would give the recipient an electrifying experience.
I felt a hint of glee when his muscles stiffened under my touch. It seems like Nora’s advice worked!
After my brief moment of triumph, mortification swept over me. Something feels off…
A crimson red blush painted my cheeks as I stared at Anthony. “You…” I didn’t expect to receive such a huge reaction!
Besides, we just did it last night…
“You are the worst!” The words slipped out through clenched teeth.
“I can’t hold back when you call me hubby!” Anthony rasped as his grip around my waist tightened.
“Say it again!” he demanded. He lowered his head until his nose bumped against mine. I could feel the warmth of his breath fanning my cheek.
My face warmed upon his request. Of course, I wouldn’t call him hubby again!
Quickly, I slid off his lap in an attempt to flee. “Go ahead with your work. I’m a little hungry; I’ll find something to eat.”
Before I could take another step, Anthony enveloped me in a back hug. My back was pressed against his broad chest as his chin rested on my shoulder. “How can you walk away after teasing me?”
“How is it my fault that you have no self-control?” I raised my hand to halt his advances. My face flushed in a mixture of frustration and embarrassment.
Anthony lifted me in his arms with ease and carried me to the table. “You can’t leave things unfinished,” he rumbled in a deep voice.
After so many years, Anthony knew my body like the back of his hand. A simple touch from his fingers was enough to strip my resistance away. It felt as if a cat had sunken its claws into my heart.
“Anthony, you were too rough last night! I can’t do it now!” I cried and reached out my hand against his chest to stop his advances.
He seemed to take my rejection as an invitation instead. Anthony didn’t stop his movements as my pleas were in vain. On the other hand, he seemed to redouble his efforts.
“Of course, I’ll get excited when I see you.” He clamped a hand over my mouth. “How can you be so cruel to neglect me?”
I was utterly speechless.
Yet, the arrow had been released from its bow. It was impossible to bring it back.
In the autumn days of September, the nights had begun to turn longer as the days shortened. Although it was seven in the morning, the sky remained dim. There was only a sliver of light that illuminated the clouds.
The sharp ringtone of my phone echoed noisily throughout the room. Before I could reach out to grab my phone, Anthony pinned me in place. It took several tries before I could grasp it in my hand.
“Hello!” I answered the phone as I cleared my throat.
“Sienna, Nora is awake. She wants to meet you,” Armond said over the phone. His voice sounded deep and exhausted.
“Alright, I will hurry over right now!” I exclaimed with a jolt of shock as all traces of my drowsiness vanished into thin air.
After I ended the call, Anthony’s hand was still draped across my waist. As the blankets slid off my naked body, I felt a hint of shyness due to the exposure.
Quickly, I set my phone aside. “Nora is awake! I have to go visit her,” I told him urgently.
Anthony nodded sleepily. Although he had just woken up, his handsome feature gave him a very alluring look.
Just as I was about to rise to my feet, Anthony captured me in his embrace. “Stay a little longer…” he rasped lowly.
“Nora is awake! There must be a reason for Armond’s early call! I must visit her,” I said and pushed his hand away.
“Okay,” he mumbled in response and did not comment any further.
I felt a tinge of childish frustration when he closed his eyes. Without hesitating, I bent down and blew a puff of air into his ear.
Immediately, his body stiffened in surprise. “Are you teasing me?” Anthony’s gaze darkened as he gazed at me.
“I was just trying to wake you up,” I replied innocently.
Without warning, Anthony flipped my body and caged me underneath him.
The sudden movement left me stricken with shock as I stared at him with widened eyes. “Anthony, you…”
“You don’t have to rush. Instead of waiting for a woman’s help, Armond should be able to handle it himself. Let’s settle the more urgent matters first!” Anthony murmured before he kissed me affectionately.
It took an hour before we stopped.
Immediately, I scurried to the shower and changed my clothes in fear that he would continue.
When I emerged from the bathroom, the lower half of Anthony’s body was clad in a towel as he scribbled in his notebook. Hearing my footsteps, he handed over a box clutched in his hand. “Eat two of these!”
“Are these vitamins?” I asked as I took the box from his hand and peered inside before looking at the handbook. It was filled to the brim with supplements.
“Aunt Sally brought them from Archulea.” He nodded and flipped the notebook shut. “It is good for your health.”
Despite my reluctance, I did not want to waste my elder’s gift. Thus, I forced myself to consume the supplements.
“Hurry up and shower,” I urged Anthony when I noticed his languid movements. “Then you can accompany me to visit Nora!”
Along the journey to the hospital, Anthony gave me an apologetic gaze after he finished talking on the phone. “I don’t think I can visit Nora with you.”
“It’s alright. Why don’t you stop the car right ahead? I’ll hail a cab to the hospital!”
I did not receive a reply from Anthony. It looked like he had no intention to halt the car too. Upon seeing his actions, I decided to play along.
In order to avoid any delay, I grabbed my purse and prepared to leave the car.
However, Anthony did not unlock the door. Instead, his dark gaze remained fixated on me.
“What’s going on?” I asked in confusion.
“Are you planning to leave like this?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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