Is this destiny?

JoAnna is in the shower... she is taking much longer than usual. Jeff's image is in front of her eyes, feeling of his kiss, sound of his voice, sight of his smile. She is trying to wash it all away so that she can be herself again. But it's not working. It seems that last two days changed JoAnna and what it means to be herself. His presence invaded every cell of her body, and he is undeniably integrated with her existence. She told herself many times not to fall for him; that she should keep her distance, fortify her heart and not let him in. But it was too late. He was already in. Jeff has a permanent residence in her heart, and the only thing that is keeping her from falling completely into an endless abyss is a small spec of her mind which is still holding onto its reasoning.

She got out of the bathroom, in her two-piece pajamas while rubbing her hair with a towel. She stopped in her tracks. 'Why is he here? In my room? Sitting on my bed?'

Jeff lifted his head and swiftly stood up. In two quick steps he was in front of JoAnna, not giving her a chance to escape back into the bathroom.

JoAnna observed him. He was also ready to call in for the night, but it seems he decided to come to her room instead of going to sleep. His fresh-out-of-shower scent surrounded her, and she felt her mind waver. "I'm not ready." She whispered, reminding him and herself that she is not willing to cross the line of physical intimacy.

"I know." His disappointment was obvious. "But... don't deny me being close to you."

JoAnna remembered that he promised to be a gentleman, and he proved to her twice already that he can do that. She relaxed and gave a small nod.

In an instant, he pulled her into a hug and his lips pressed against hers. His tongue demanded access between her lips, and she had no willpower to deny him.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers entwined with his silky hair, still damp from the shower.

Jeff's tongue explored inside of her mouth and retreated. JoAnna matched his movements and followed until his lips closed around her tongue and he sucked gently. The sensation made her whole-body quiver and she let out a moan.

His hand on her back slipped under her pajama top, finding her skin. He pulled her closer, and his palm felt so hot on her back, she was sure it will leave scorching mark.

With small steps they inched toward her bed, neither of them willing to let go and stop.

When Jeff's legs reached edge of the bed, JoAnna pushed him with her body and straddled him as soon as his back hit the mattress.

She felt his throbbing member between her legs and could not help but giggle. "It seems it still has mind of its own."

"My dear..." His voice was much deeper than usual. "I assure you that we are thinking the same."

She swallowed hard. "You promised to be a gentleman."

"I'm doing my best... but you are making it... difficult." He looked down at the point where her body pressed on him with a pained expression.

Seeing him struggle against his desires, made her fall for him even more. He was doing it for her, because she is selfish, and he is indulging her. JoAnna slid off of him and went under the blanket.

Jeff took a minute to calm down, and then joined her.

They faced each other for some time before JoAnna spoke. "You know... we can do, other things... without going all the way." As a person with modern medical background, she knows more than one way of making a man release sexual tension without an intercourse.

Jeff had a pained expression. "I think you are putting too much trust into my self-control." He has a maddening desire to be inside her, but when he sees her face and remembers that it would go against her wishes, he manages to hold back.

"I'm sorry", she turned her back to him. No matter how much she wanted him, this was one thing she didn't want to compromise on. She already pushed herself outside her comfort zone and crossing that last line would make her feel regret in the morning. Even if next day he clarifies things with Isabella, and his parents, it would not change the fact that right now part of her feels like the second woman who is enjoying stolen happiness.

"Don't be... ", he pulled her close to him. "I'm the one who should be sorry." He kissed back of her head and tightened his hold on her.

...

Next morning, in front of the Hill family villa. Jeff and JoAnna are sitting in his car.

"I should go now.", JoAnna was reluctant to leave.

Jeff didn't respond. She hesitantly turned towards the car door and opened it.

"Wait...", he called after her. "Give me your phone number." He remembered that he still does not have a way to contact her.

She told him the number, and he called her. When he heard ringing sound from her bag, he felt a relief. "You have no idea how much I struggled to get this number."

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Bye, Jeff... I will not call you."

He pulled her head closer and kissed her on the lips. "I know. I will call you."

He leaned in for another kiss, and she moved away.

"I need to go.", she whispered.

It's difficult for her to leave knowing that there is a chance she will not see him again like this. With just the two of them. Holding each other... She does not want to think about that.

Jeff let go of JoAnna and sighed as she closed the car door behind her. He fought the urge to run after JoAnna while she walked into the villa.

JoAnna watched from the window, wondering what is on his mind while he sat in the car motionless for few minutes, before driving away, with her heart in tow.