The chapter contains domestic violence. I do not condone domestic violence but it is a part of this story to aid the plot.

"...never be bullied into a silence

never become a victim..."

"Helena is my grandmother." I smiled at her. "And no, I'm not lying. I know you're young and you're probably scared that this is a game but it's not. I'm not a boy who will toy with your feelings. I am grown man and I know what I want. I want you. So no lies."

She smiled to herself.

"Normal people don't call their grandmothers by their first name." She offered her beautiful smile to me.

I slipped my hand into hers. "There's nothing ordinary about Helena Bale. She doesn't knit sweaters or bake cookies. I wouldn't risk calling her granny because she will probably knock my teeth out." Her laughter echoed in the car. I'll miss this laughter. "You're not on a list of women I'm with outside my marriage. It's only you Kei. There had never been anyone else. It's only you."

"I'm your other woman."

"I wouldn't translate it that way."

She pulled her hand out of mine, resting her back on the passenger seat. We are back to our individual realities. I have brought her back to her house, to the man who is a hinderance in my path. She hasn't given me an answer about my suggestion. What is there to think about? It's a matter of yes or no.

"Why were you ignoring her calls?"

"Because I blew her off to be with you."

"I don't want you to make me a priority. It's not fair."

"I don't see how making you a priority is unfair. I take everything I do seriously. Unless something has run it's course, I stick with it. What do you mean?"

I don't like where this conversation is going.

"Nick, my marriage is not perfect. Jason has his flaws just as I have mine. But I'm not looking for a way out of my marriage. I'm..." She gazed outside the window, probably at her little uneventful house thay I hate do much right now! "... I'm content."

With this shitty things existence? Is she mad?

"Are you?" I turned her head so that she looks at me. I want to see this so called contentment in her eyes. "Tell me he makes you happy and I'll back off."

She gazed down at her lap.

"It's complicated." I thought so! "Don't make me a priority because I won't make you my priority. That's why it's unfair... to you. I'm sorry. My answer is no. I don't think we should have an affair. It's not just wrong, it will end badly for me and perhaps for you."

I looked away too. I have never had a problem with getting my way with women. She's not like the others. Even in Cuba, with all that heat shared between us, she didn't put out. Katerina, Naila, Coleen, Margaux among others all put out fast but she's not even letting me get a kiss. The closest I got was the brush of her lips against mine. That's all.

"Am I allowed to argue out my points?"

"Nick I won't change my mind."

"In the days we have been together, have you been happy?" I asked her.

"Yes I have."

"Did you want our getaway to end?"

"No."

"Then why are you in a hurry to throw it all away when it can be the precedent of what our lives can be? You can be happy with me. Tell me you see that."

She cast her gaze down on her lap where the little bag I got her is. She didn't want me too but anything for her but I love to give gifts to people I like. The list isn't that long but I am more than generous with the people on that list.

"You're right. You're right about a lot of things. I don't want to go into that sad little house. I want to go with you to the ends of the earth. I was t to chase sunrises and drive towards sunsets with you. I want everything that the last couple of days have been because four years of marriage hasn't given me that. I know that I can be happy with you. I feel it when I'm around you. But not all dreams come true Mr Bale. Sometimes we wake up and the dreams are over. Thank you for the sweetest dream I have ever had but it's time for me to wake up."

I gripped her arm before she opens the door.

"Then let me continue dreaming. Give me something to remember you by."

"What?"

"At least let me know what your lips taste like. Let me feel the warmth of your body in my arms. Please. After that, we don't have to cross paths."

"I can't."

"Please."

I have never begged for a woman's lips. Never.

"Just one kiss. Just one and no more." She consented.

I leaned close just as she did. Our lips met in a gentle graze at first. She's a trembling mess. I want to believe I'm experienced but my lips are quivering too. I cupped her face to steady her. My hand dropped to her waist and I ended up lifting her over to sit on me. For a moment we looked at each other. Is her heart beating as wildly as mine is? Does she want this like I do?

I kissed her to shut out all the thoughts. She gave in willingly, even wrapping her arms around my neck. She tastes just right... so much better than I thought and I'm certain one of these won't be enough. It can't be enough. I drew her closer, my arms wrapped possessively around her. For something that should feel wrong, it sure feels right! She's responding well, just the way I expect it. If she was a little easier, she would be on her back right now getting a serious pounding from me. She's starting to push against my chest. She wants to break away but I cannot afford to free her lips. If I do, that's it. It's over. Will I ever get another opportunity?

I nestled her hair in my fist, pushing her head ti ards mine to claim her lips firmly and ravenously. She's starting to mourn in my mouth. I'm loving e wry second of this but if I don't break away we will both suffocate.

We are both breathing fast.

She pushed her long hair back. "I hav-ve t-to go. Thank you." She got out through the driver's door and she was halfway to her house when she came back and opened th back door. "My bag. I forgot. Goodnight."

I watched her running away from me.

I lied.

This is not the only kiss we will share. I will be an idiot if I don't pursue this farther. It feels right. It feels very right.

I can't stop dreaming about him. It's only been a few hours since his lips firmly branded mine yet it feel alike he kissed me just seconds ago. I keep touching my lips with trembling fingers. They quiver at the reminder of his kiss. I have never been kissed like this.

I opened my eyes to the sound of crickets. I reached for my wrist watch. It's three in the morning. It's been five hours since Nick kissed me.

I'm not sleepy anymore. I should get to some chores. The house hasn't been cleaned for nearly two weeks. I don't want him to come home to a dirty home. He will know I wasn't here.

I'll start with the kitchen.

The sudden light from the table side lamp startled me. Jason is seated in his favorite armchair. He's looking right at me. When did he come home?

"Do you know what you excel in?" He asked me. "Cleanliness. You're very clean. Nothing out of place. It makes this home worth returning to. That is why the smell of ten day old salmon is troublesome."

So that is what I smelt when I came in! I was so tired. I we t to bed with the promise of fixing it in the morning. Oh no! The skillet!

"Jason-'

"You haven't been here for the last ten days."

"I haven't." I answered. To say something close enough to the truth will be best. I just have to find a way to make it to the front door in case this goes south. I'll run to Lorraine's house. Yes. That is the plan.

"Where have you been?"

"I went to visit my parents." They always back me.

"No you didn't. You haven't seen your parents for over two weeks." He got up. I tensed to the point my feet won move. "I feel generous today. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to and I'll let it slide."

He's not fooling anyone. He won't let this slide. When has he ever? If he can drive my head through glass because I forgot to salt food, then he won't let this go. I was with another man. That man kissed me before he left. He won't let it slide.

"I was with my parents." My heart is in my throat. I need to start moving. Last year on Christmas Eve he chased me down the street at 2am in the morning. I fell asleep in Lorraine's house and forgot to come home. When he caught me he whipped me with his belt in the middle of the street and no one came of their hous s to help me. Running down the street n fear for my life is an absolutely normal part of my life.

"Don't lie to me!" The second he exploded, I found myself at the door fumbling with the locks but there is no key. He has locked th door. I felt a great force slam me against the door. He did it repeatedly before hurling me to the floor. I slid across and hit my head on the wooden post of the stairs.

Before I could get us he was on top of me, his hand around my neck. I tried to pry it free but he's choking the life out of me. I feel a strong numbness, a suffocation taking away my life as I gasp fruitlessly. He let go suddenly, driving me to cough violently.

He pulled me up using my hair. "The neighbor saw you leave that day. A man in a black SUV picked you up. That same man dropped you off. Who is he?"

My silence was rewarded by a slap across my cheek. "Jason please!" I lifted my hands to plead.

"Who is he?" He slapped me again. For every question he didn't get an answer he kept slapping me until my cheek grew hot and at the same time numb.

I shut off completely, getting beaten but remaining still.

Was it worth it? Was spending ten days with Nick worth it?