His heart was thumping loudly. Each pulse sounded like a drum, as if it would jump into her hand any second.

Raegan said, “That doesn't show you have feelings for me. Maybe your heart is just racing. You might need to see a doctor..."

Before she could finish, Mitchel leaned in and kissed her.

Their lips barely touched initially, but the connection seemed to spark an unforeseen magic, quickly drawing them in deeper.

The warmth of the underfloor heating seemed to intensify their kiss.

The air was charged with a subtle scent of romance.

Mitchel's lean, strong hand moved to the back of Raegan's head, gently caressing her hair as he deepened the kiss.

The kiss started tender and soft but soon intensified, charged with Mitchel's vigorous passion.

Raegan was overwhelmed, losing her sense of response, unconsciously letting out a soft moan...

The kiss deepened, its intensity growing. If not for considering Raegan's recent recovery, Mitchel would have wished it to last even longer.

When Mitchel finally released her, Raegan leaned against his hand, her legs feeling weak. Her cheeks glowed like a peach kissed by morning dew.

Mitchel clenched his jaw, his Adam's apple bobbing as he said, "Now do you see? It's not just about my heart racing. It's because I constantly want you."

Raegan, overwhelmed by his words, pulled away slightly and scolded him, her face still flushed, "You're speaking nonsense again."

But Mitchel, with a slight smile and in a soft tone, replied, “It's not nonsense. It might sound cliché, but truly, you're the only one who's ever made me feel this way."

With that, he drew her back into his embrace with his strong arms.

Raegan's cheeks, still pink, rested against his shoulder, her demeanor almost childlike.

After a moment of silence, Mitchel's voice, deep and compelling, broke through. “Raegan, all these years, I feel like I've been losing you repeatedly until the day I realized my life had a time limit. That's when I started doing things for you, believing they were right."

"I thought clearing every obstacle from your path and leaving you all my wealth and care for you and our kids was the best thing to do."

"Back then, I was so desperate that I was compelled to push you away, having neglected how you felt all the while. I lived every day as if I were tearing out my own heart without seeing how wrong I was. I thought I was suffering enough, having punished myself adequately..."

"Until I experienced the same treatment from you that I gave, I never truly understood your pain. The kind that can make life feel unbearable. Watching you choose someone else, I kept telling myself that if sacrificing my feelings brought you happiness, then it was worth it. But when your water broke and you collapsed, my first thought was that I couldn't afford to lose you."