My Sweetheart

Hugging Joseph, Kathy’s emotions gradually returned to normal. But she didn’t know what to say.

“Has everything been all right these past few days?” Joseph asked.

“Well enough. You know how it is,” she replied listlessly.

“You’ve still got to take your medication on time,” he said, looking at the bottle of pills. The nurse had already switched them, as per his request.

“I know, I’ll be good.” She lifted her gaze to meet his, touching her fingertips to his face. “Go get some sleep.”

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked instead. Immediately he undid the top button on his shirt, his legs crossing the bed.

Seeing this, the corners of Kathy’s mouth couldn’t help but lift. “Yes,” she said, nodding. He touched her temple tenderly, and had her lean against his chest, wrapping her up tight in his arms. It had been three days he’d not dared come.

The first time, he’d had trouble controlling his emotions. He should have protected his girl, but instead she got hurt again and again. Deep self-blame had led him to want to avoid the problem. But in the end, he’d suffered endless yearning.

“Joseph, are you unhappy?” Kathy asked, sensing his wandering thoughts.

He shook his head, lying down beside her. “I have a girlfriend, how could I be unhappy.”

Kathy smiled, and seeing his handsome face mere inches from hers, she kissed him spontaneously. Joseph already had desire, and just that simple action ignited it. He narrowed his eyes to give her a wolf’s look, ready to devour her.

She loved but was afraid of that expression. “Joseph, I’m still a patient!” she protested.

He shrugged and, seeing her smile, felt helpless. She really was a temptress, and he was under her spell. “Goodnight, Kathy,” he murmured in her ear. Kathy fell asleep relishing in the perfect moment.

it was already late, and the space beside her was empty. She blinked, and felt suddenly disappointed. Touching the pillow that still bore Joseph’s smell, she

so badly had reappeared, sitting on the sofa with her favorite breakfast on the table before him. Kathy stared, then

for her gently, saying, “Come here, I’ll

hugged him, and kissed him many

were eating, she asked, “Have you got to go to

I’ll

the days. “I’ll be discharged from the hospital the day

month before the semester

The next instant, Joseph’s expression darkened. Kathy felt keenly his displeasure. His hand, gripping hers,

go get another

She saw by his face that he wasn’t kidding. Lowly she said, “No, we’ve

an embrace. It was as if he was trying to absorb her. She could barely breathe. It almost seemed… as if she’d hurt him? But

grudgingly. “I respect your

It made her smile.

been calling him nonstop,

Mr. Mathew

walked into his office,

to the hospital?”

sitting across from him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming. I’d have picked you up from

you to give me a heart attack

don’t talk