A Beautiful Misunderstanding

"No... I didn't..." Suddenly tongue-tied, Essie desperately scrabbled for a coherent response to Zac's loaded question, but her brain seemed to have stopped functioning at that moment.

"The way you looked at me revealed what you were thinking. You want me." Amusement and dark promise tinted his voice. His fingers slowly, deliberately slid down from her neck to rest on her sleep shirt placket, which was placed directly over her pounding chest. The warmth of his fingertips seemed to burn a hole in her pajamas. The heat started to burn her skin and transfer to her heart, which seemed to spontaneously combust.

"I'm sleepy," she announced to the room at large. All of the fight drained out of her. She could only close her eyes and feign sleep.

With a mischievous smile on his lips, Zac slowly lowered his head to kiss her lightly on the lips. With him that close, Essie could smell the refreshing aroma of his body wash pervading the air that she breathed. He had always used a shower gel that smelled like magnolia flowers. The elegant, pure scent wafted from his warm skin to her nose to awaken her senses and fan the current coursing through her.

She felt dizzy and weak, and her mind was a blank. She had no strength to resist and think. Zac took advantage of Essie's stillness and kissed her lips while he skillfully undid her pajama top, one button at a time.

A draft of cold air touched her bare chest, but it was immediately chased away by the warmth of Zac's body against hers.

When Essie felt Zac's hands wander to her waist, she suddenly regained her senses.

"Are men all like this?" she whispered bemusedly. "Can you all have sex without any feelings involved?" she added. Zac stopped his exploration. After a few heartbeats, he let out a helpless sigh.

The flame burning in his bright eyes dissipated as if doused by a cold current until only an unfathomable darkness remained.

No feelings?

on her

and turned to lie on his back on the bed. Without a light in the room, his handsome profile

fraught with tension, descended upon the occupants of the room. Between them, the air of hopelessness was so palpable. They could not see each other clearly through the thick fog of emotion. It was like

down on her in waves, with

no feelings for her. In his eyes, she was only a momentary plaything

not care one whit about what Zac thought of her.

one of convenience, which suited them both. Once they separated, they would no longer be of any concern to each

The next day arrived.

their daughter and son-in-law's stable married life and steady relationship,

left, Essie packed up

had finally come to an end. The ever-present threat of triggering that

have to put on a show or pretend to be in love with each other to reassure

to have liberated Zac. He disappeared without a trace early

for herself? She headed to