Chapter 290: Your Happiest Moments
At Ben and Melanie’s villa on the Sinclair Winery and Vineyard estate, Melanie let out a long sigh as she waited for Ben to return. Days had passed since their wedding, and while Ben had kept her busy with trips to beautiful spots in town, one thing remained unresolved... they still hadn’t consummated their marriage.
She could see how considerate he was, always ensuring she felt safe and cared for, but she also noticed the restraint in his actions. Melanie couldn’t shake the feeling that Ben was holding back, his every move calculated to avoid crossing a line. She felt guilty watching him struggle, knowing that his hesitation came from wanting to respect her boundaries.
’This isn’t fair to him,’ she thought. ’I need to show him that I’m ready.’
With a determined breath, she stood up from the bed and grabbed one of Rain’s wedding gifts... a set of lingerie. Melanie selected the most daring piece, slipping it on quickly without glancing at the mirror, afraid she might second-guess herself and retreat to the safety of her usual pyjamas.
She climbed back into bed, pulling the quilt up to cover herself completely. Her face flushed crimson, and her hands clutched the quilt tightly as she bit her lower lip.
’I can do this,’ she told herself, willing her courage to rise. Tonight, she was determined to take the first step toward breaking down the invisible wall between them.
Melanie’s heart raced as she heard the sound of Ben’s footsteps approaching the room. She squeezed her eyes shut, her hands gripping the quilt tightly as if it could somehow shield her from her own nervousness. *Why am I so nervous? He’s my husband,* she thought, biting her lip harder. But the reality of taking the first step felt more daunting than she had imagined.
The door creaked open, and Ben entered the room with his usual calm demeanor.
"Melanie?" His voice was soft, laced with concern. "Why are you still awake? You’ve had a long day."
Peeking out from under the quilt, Melanie gave him a shy smile. "I... couldn’t sleep."
Ben tilted his head, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Something on your mind?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle and unassuming.