Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica yanked hard on the car door handle, but it was already locked.

Timothy leaned over, reaching to buckle her seatbelt. She slapped him across the face, her hand landing with a sharp crack.

His handsome features turned with the force of her blow.

Anger flashed across his eyes, breaking through the mask he usually wore. Without another word, he pinned Jessica against the passenger seat and kissed her fiercely.

No matter how desperately she struggled, she couldn't escape his hold or the forceful, unyielding press of his lips.

They'd been married for seven years now. She'd just turned twenty-eight, and after giving birth, her body seemed even more sensitive-completely defenseless against the seductive skill of his kiss.

Bit by bit, the rigidity in her body melted away.

Only then did Timothy release her lips.

Humiliation and self-loathing swept through her.

features. The storm of anger and frustration left her expression cold, adding a new sharpness to

sensed she'd responded to his kiss; the anger in Timothy's eyes faded, replaced

need me this much, huh? Would it kill you just to behave?" His voice was low, thick with a dangerous

words only made Jessica burn with shame. She hated how her body responded to him, how little

agreement." Jessica's voice was steady, her

lips. "And? The contract

eyes widened

back of her head. "Come on, don't be upset. There are no penalties, so what's the big deal? I didn't mean

softened, fingertips idly playing with a lock of her hair,

Jessica's recent coldness was

prime, while he was always traveling on business, barely home, too

thinking about that. Her mind was on the agreement. She wasn't a lawyer, and she'd

her, but now she saw the truth: it only mattered if Timothy

had always

ago, there'd been no obstacles; they'd slipped into marriage