MA

a soft,flickering glow through the half-drawn window. His heartbeat ech

ion hung in the air, as if suspen

y lap, hoping he wouldn't notice. His face, which had been calm, even smug moments earlier, was now an unreadable mask of

s if asking for more confirmation, gues

. It was actually the truth. I had never been with anyone, not in the way he had imagined. And I hadn't intended for him to fi

yes,yes and you still don't believe me?" My voice was calm, more composed than I felt inside. I cou

I could sense he was processing, trying to reconcile the girl who had walked into his w

hough I tried to stay firm, to keep the growing vulnerability at bay. "Yes, I'm a virgin. And yes, I came here tonight, to this club, on my own. No one forced me. I f

reluctant even, though I could tell it wasn't from lack of de

he wanted to. He ran a hand through his hair, then across his face, as if trying to rub away

thud. In one quick motion, I began undressing, peeling away my clothes, layer by layer, until I was s

." My voice was steadier now, more certain. I was doing this for my mom, for her medical bills, for everything that weighed on me. Robert d

, and a flicker of something else I couldn't quite place. His breath was shallow, his chest rising and

hough he were fighting something within himself. His h

my voice soft but un

ing the waters. There was a different kind of passion in his kiss now-less hurried, more deliberate. His hand

mind resisting. But I didn't need his pity. I didn't need him to overthink this. I needed hi

my lips, his breath warm and ragged.

eyes. "It's how I want it to be," I replied

nting to the moment. But something had changed. The tension in the ro

he froze. His hand on my waist tensed, and he pulled awa

g up fully now. "Emma, I... I

rrassment crashed over me. "Why?" I asked, my vo

again, clearly frustrated with himself. "it's not that. It's just...

ling exposed in a way I hadn't before. "Takes it from me? I'm offering it to you, Robert. I chose

m of emotions. "You're not thinking straight,

"You don't know me. You don't know what I've been through, what I need t

hero. I just... I don't want you to regret this tomorrow. I d

ing in my chest. This wasn't ho

my voice softening. "Maybe I won't. But

mall, the air thick with tension and unsaid things. Finally, Robert reache

, his voice barely above a

ill and he will pay me" I said and was about to change into my cloth when he pu

se its going to hurt and you a