Chapter 43

Matthew parked the car smoothly, unbuckled his seatbelt with practiced ease, and stepped out gracefully. He grabbed a suitcase with one hand, closed the trunk, then casually tossed the car keys to the hotel staff walking over to greet him. Serena quickly followed him out. Luckily, the chilly air outside helped cool her blushing cheeks. They hadn’t even reached the hotel lobby when Matthew grabbed both suitcase handles in one hand—just so he could hold Serena’s hand with the other. Was he worried she’d make a run for it? Since they made that agreement, honestly, she hadn’t even thought about bailing. “Your hand’s cold. Anemia,” Matthew commented bluntly as he headed toward the front desk. It wasn't even the middle of winter yet, but she’d already been blowing warm air into her palms the moment she got out of the car. If she hated the cold so much, why insist on locking the door at night and refusing to let him share the bed? “You’re holding my hand to keep me warm?” Serena asked, starin