In the Lap of Luxury

Grace's hair was long, black, and straight. She maintained it very well, and it felt like silk in Xander's fingers.

Xander patiently blew it dry bit by bit. The fragrance of her shampoo wafted in the air, and it was a calming scent.

Grace was thoughtful.

"Xander, no one except my older brother has ever helped me dry my hair."

The sound of the hairdryer was loud, so Xander teased her. "Not even Benjamin?"

"While we were married, he avoided me like the plague. I would be dreaming if I tried to get him to dry my hair."

Grace snorted with laughter. It sounded ridiculous when she said it out loud.

Xander ran his fingers through her hair thoughtfully.

The difference between Benjamin then and now was too big.

Grace wasn't an unattractive woman.

There must have been times when he was tempted, but Benjamin had suppressed it by force.

Then, he had pestered her continuously after their divorce.

This didn't make any sense unless something had stopped him from taking action with Grace.

Suddenly, he stopped talking. Grace turned around, and her hair got caught in the hairdryer. She cried out in pain.

Xander hurriedly turned it off and helped her with her hair. He rubbed her head. "Does it hurt a lot?"

He suddenly got closer to her, looking concerned.

Grace felt like she had been struck. She forgot about the pain. "What were you thinking about just now?"

He frowned. She misunderstood him.

"Was it because you mind about Benjamin and I? Do you mind that I've... been divorced?"

To women, getting married twice was a hard hurdle to cross. Even someone as strong as Grace would still worry in front of the person she liked. Xander was exasperated and pinched her cheek. "I was teasing you. I've never cared about that."

"You're lying. All men mind."

She was going around in circles. Xander smiled.

"Even if you currently had a family and wanted to have an affair with me, I would be willing."

"Homewrecker?" Grace's eyes lit up.

He laughed. "Yep. I would be a homewrecker for the sake of love."

She laughed and lay down on his lap, her eyes scrunched up in a smile.

After some time, she looked up at Xander's gentle face and suddenly said, "I'm sure that I'm completely over Benjamin.

"I fell in love with him at first sight, but that was just the impulse of youth. It wasn't love. Do you believe me?"

She was willing to express her heart, which Xander had not expected.

He lifted her chin. And suddenly, without warning, he leaned down and kissed her.

Grace did not avoid it.

This time, Xander took the lead aggressively. He seemed to take the breath out of her mouth as if he wanted to absorb her into his bones.

His heavy breathing and the sound of her moans eventually filled the entire room.

Xander was burning all over, and in the depth of his desire, he picked her up and put her on the bed.

He looked down at her from above, but he did not continue kissing her. He rubbed her red lips instead.

"We can't do this yet."

Grace frowned and wrapped her legs around his waist. "Why not?"

Xander did his best to restrain himself. He waited for her to adjust her towel.

"It's too fast. It would be irresponsible of me."

Grace was still in the throes of desire. She gripped his shirt tightly. "I've never done that... with Benjamin."

He was startled and frowned.

"That's not what I meant."

"You don't think I'm good enough."

"What are you talking about?"

Xander laughed lightly and sat down beside her. He lit a cigarette, trying to alleviate the effects of pent-up desire that had no release.

"Gracie, you don't need to tell me about your past. That is your freedom."

Grace sat up, too, her hair hanging around her like a curtain.

"All men mind."