The kiss that followed was a novelty to him yet again. Rachel was responding to him with a fervor that matched his own. A flash of heat seared through his belly and he drew her closer and lashed his tongue into her mouth, drawing with a desperate intensity wanting to wrench her soul.

 A surge of primitive pride rippled through him as he remembered that he was the only one who had ever kissed her, the only one who had ever awakened such kind of desire within her. The only one who had taught her the art of kissing.

 Feeling encouraged, he moved his hands to her breasts underneath her blouse where her nipples had puckered into two rigid peaks and rolled them with his thumb. She moaned sounding delighted and arched towards his hands.

 Slowly, tantalizingly, he undid her buttons one by one and met the barrier of her bra. Overridden with urgent need, he fumbled with the clasp of her bra like an awkward teenager. He was usually so in control but right now he was trembling as he stepped back one millimeter to admire her aroused body.

 “You’re prefect,” he murmured as he tugged one hard nipple between his teeth and growled appreciatively when she gasped put loud at the exquisite pleasure. With much enthusiasm, she twined her fingers into his hair and pressed his head closer. Swallowing one whole breast, he sucked and licked until she was practically whimpering.

 His lower body grew even harder as he pressed closer giving same undivided attention to her other breast. Never had he felt such a pleasure in merely giving and not taking anything in return.

 As Rachel’s curious hand moved beneath his robe, exploring the hard planes of his chest, he nearly lost his control. With a groan, he kissed he again, his tongue darting into her answering mouth with an ever exacerbating passion which was scaring the hell out of him.

 He drew back at that thought as if scorched and struggled to get his breath even. Gulping for gasps of oxygen, he stared at her. She was still in a daze of passion her face flushed, her eyes hazy with desire, her lips swollen, her smooth silky skin red with rashes from his kisses.

 Finally, the sensual fog cleared in his head and he reassembled his thoughts. What was wrong with him? He had never lost control like that in his entire life. And he had never been that hard either before. This was Rachel, for Heaven’s sake. How could he be feeling such an intense desire for her? Was there something special between them or was he merely feeling deprived? It has been sometime since he had been with a woman being preoccupied with his business lately.

 Filled with self-disgust, he watched as Rachel fumbled frantically with her blouse buttons, blushing fiery red. Which helped him to remember that she was still a novice at love-making. And it had taken his stupid lack of control to scare her. He should have been more gentle. Guilt slammed into his ribs as he noticed Rachel looking everywhere but at him appearing as embarrassed as hell.

 “Well, was it?” he asked teasingly remembering what had initiated him to kiss her in the first place and at the same time trying to diffuse the thick tension in the air.

 “Was what what?” she queried still averting her eyes.

 “Was my tongue tasteless?”

 Her eyes fluttered with indignation as they met his and she blushed even more going as red as a beetroot. He could never resist teasing her and always gauged her reaction after relishing the way she was easily embarrassed or fight with him with all the hell she was worth.

 Winking impishly at her, he turned and reprimanded her easily. “Well, stop staring at  me like that! If you want that forest of yours to be built by tonight, we’d better get moving.”

 “Well, it wasn’t me who was lagging behind!” she retorted back instantly.

 “No! We were there together sweetheart.”

 She blushed again and turned her back pointedly at him.

 “I’m sorry. I love teasing you,” he said immediately not wanting their new friendship to be over so soon again.

“I noticed,” she answered and smiled at him wickedly playing along. “Don’t worry. I’m not sulking so no excuses. You won’t escape cooking today.”

He grinned relieved that the atmosphere between them had lightened up and the felt comfortable in each other’s presence again. “Whatever you say.”

For the next hour or so, they worked in complete harmony and Jake felt strangely happy – at peace even loving the domestic cozy atmosphere. Domesticity was suiting him! What would Ash say to that?!

Suddenly, he recalled the idea they had plotted a few days back and he felt sad as he realized that they had wanted to outrun his father. The whole marriage had been turned into a battle not wanting to be outdone by his father at all cost. As children, their behavior could have been understood. But now? They were two grown-ups not some retaliating teenagers. Not that his father was not at fault in the way he had maneuvered the whole affair.  

He was having second thoughts about their plan now.

“I was thinking,” he started when finally worn out from their unaccustomed activities, they slouched on the couch tired.

She feigned shock as she watched him and Jake could swear she battered her eyelash at him. He was stunned. When had Rachel started flirting with him in such an off-handed manner? “You think? That’s news! Since when?”

“I’m serious.”

“Okay,” she sobered. “About what?”

“About our plan. I don’t think I want to go through it after all.”

Rachel’s heart lurched hopefully at his request. Had their last kiss meant something to him finally? To her it had been an effusive experience and she had poured her unrequited feelings into that kiss. She wanted to show him how much she loved him in the hope that he might realize what he was letting go. Maybe- just maybe he had received the message. Her hopeless romantic heart was beating frantically. Dared she hope?

“You mean it?” she asked trying to mask the tremor in her voice.

“Yes,” he answered nodding seriously. “It’s absolutely true. Telling my father that he can’t have the grandchildren he had always pinned for would simply break his heart. And although I despise his interference, I can’t do that to him.”

The respect and love she felt for him rose up another notch and she felt proud of him for being so unselfish.

Clearly, he misinterpreted her silence as he said “Look, I’m really sorry, I know I screwed up. I promise I’ll find another way.”

No way man! she thought jovially but replied instead. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking about your father. Forgive me, it was a selfish idea.”

 She was being honest. She had started to hate the idea as soon as Jake had agreed to it. But she hadn’t been able to find an excuse to cancel the whole thing off. She was glad that whatever reason Jake had found, they wouldn’t go on with that stupid idea after all.

And she couldn’t help feeling ecstatic that Jake wasn’t that desperate to go to any lengths to end their marriage.  Everything appeared bright and sunny suddenly and she smiled genuinely in complete bliss.

“And besides, we aren’t doing bad together, are we?” Jake asked teasingly.

Her heart flip-flopped at his words and try as she might she couldn’t stop the hope that blossomed there. Was he hinting at something? She could not be sure so she opted for treading carefully without giving much of her inner thoughts.

“Hmm, let’s see…” she stopped as if in consideration. “Well, we could do a lot worse.”

“Right. Like I could poison your food for example,” he said giving her a deceptively innocent look but couldn’t smother the mischievous glint in the green light of his eyes.

But she wouldn’t be outdone.

“Or I could strangle you,” she chuckled wriggling her hands towards his neck in a supposedly menacing way.

“Oh but what a way to die!” he sighed in dramatic envy causing Rachel to giggle like a foolish schoolgirl.

She poked him playfully in the ribs. “You’re a hopeless flirt.”

His eyes smoked. “I know.”

Oh God! He was looking at her that way again. The way that made her heart sing. That made her mind clog. The way that ticked glorious sensations down her spine.

“And modest as well. How lucky could I get?” she mocked not knowing what to do when he neither looked away nor reached for her. They were sitting merely inches from each other but were still too far apart for Rachel’s taste. She was feeling hot all over, her skin damp with anticipation.

“Lucky thing, aren’t you? To be married to me. And you’d better realized how lucky you are,” he said smugly.

“I do,” she answered her eyes glowing with all the love she felt for him.

Suddenly, he moved away from her and walked to the mantelpiece. For a fleeting second, Rachel froze, fear that he might have read in her eyes gripping her. She watched his rigid shoulders with growing apprehension praying that she was wrong. Her wounded heart wouldn’t be able to afford another rejection.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me not going along with the plan after all?” he asked uncertainly and Rachel could have laughed with sheer relief. Mind?! She was over the moon!

“Not at all. I fully agree with you. Shouldn’t have thought of such a thing in the first place,” she hastened to reassure him.

“But still it’s not fair to you. You must have been pretty desperate to have thought of such a thing. Let’s face the situation like two adults. We were forced into this unwanted marriage and we can’t get a divorce. So that leaves us with only one alternative.”

“Which one?” Rachel asked. If only she could muster enough courage to tell him how much she still loved him. But pride and self-respect were still much in the way.

“We could have an open marriage,” he suggested casually.

Her earlier bubble of happiness burst. Tears swelled in her eyes and for a long moment, she couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Don’t get me wrong!” Jake said quickly. “I mean we should understand and respect each other’s feelings.”

“And what do you exactly mean by an open marriage?” she couldn’t help asking trying for nonchalance while her heart was breaking into millions of pieces again. Yet again by the same man. Fool me once shame on me. Fool me twice?

“Well, we socialize with our … friends with neither of us interfering and our privacy is respected,” he tried to say in a voice that sounded as if he was making excuses.

“In other words, we mind our own business?” Rachel offered curtly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

“Yeah,” he answered. “We live together in the same house as friends. We can into casual affairs whenever we feel the itch. Of course discretion is a must.”

“Of course,” she sneered bitterly. “But you’re forgetting one important detail here. I don’t do affairs,” she nearly threw the words in his face.

“But you could meet someone that you’ll love eventually, won’t you? It’s only because you haven’t met the right man yet,” he said confidently.

Oh you fool! she yelled inwardly at him. When are you going to admit that we are made for each other? That you are the only one who can ever have an effect on me?

However, she wouldn’t cling to him. She was getting a second chance at her marriage and wouldn’t waste it.

“Okay,” she agreed with new determination. “But what about tonight?”

For an instant, he looked puzzled and then seemed to recall that they were supposed to be acting as two people madly in love to be able to pull off the infertility plan.

“We go through it normally. It would please me to have a family reunion.”

She nodded as she struggled to think optimistically. All wasn’t lost yet. He was only saying those things because he didn’t know what he wanted yet. He was running scared and she should be patient with him. Suggesting about having affairs didn’t mean he would have one right away. And she had ample time to make him fall for her. Okay. To try to make him fall for her.

There was a saying that goes ‘You never fail until you give up’. And she wasn’t ready to give him up – not yet.

                                                           ****************************

“Did you blackmail him?”

“No Ash,” Rachel answered blowing out a loud breath of frustration. For the past twenty minutes or so, Ash was trying to find a plausible reason why Jacob Bruce Crighton was helping her in the kitchen.

“Then what? Oh I know!” he added before Rachel could utter a word. “You tortured him?”

“Ashton!” she growled menacingly. “Go find someone else to harass please.”

Ash grinned imperturbably. “Sorry doll. No one’s arrived yet and Jake is taking his bath. So basically you’re stuck with me. And you’d better let me in the secret. I won’t leave you alone till then. I promise.”

“I did nothing, okay? He proposed his help when he saw me cooking and I …”

“He proposed to help?” Jake Crighton doesn’t propose to help in the kitchen, Rach. You should know that. Now I get it; he’s doing drugs.”

Thankfully, she was saved from that absurd conversation at the sound of the doorbell.

It was Devin.

“How’s my favourite daughter-in-law doing?” he asked grinning like a Cheshire cat not looking at all his sixty years in his attire.

“Stop buttering me up,” scolded Rachel playfully as she led him to the living room to join Ash. “I’m your only daughter-in-law.”

“Well, it’s something to remedy, isn’t it?” Devin asked looking pointedly at Ash.

Not knowing what the conversation was about, Ash scowled.

“I’m the perfection personified. What’s there to remedy about me?”

Rachel giggled. “We’d better make it soon as well and before he goes out of control.”

“But he won’t escape me,” Devin scoffed as smug as ever.

“What’s going on here?” Jake asked entering the living room and caught Rachel and his father smiling conspiratorially and Ash scowling fiercely.

“Jake,” wailed Ashton and sounded almost funny. “They are gossiping about me over something I have no idea and I don’t like it at all.”

Jake grinned. “Don’t worry buddy. Happens all the time with me.”

Before Ashton could answer, they were interrupted by the doorbell again as their next guest Kyra made her entry.

“What do you think of her?” Devin stage whispered to Rachel.

Rachel’s eyes widened gleefully at the prospect and wondered how she had never thought of such a thing before. She would like nothing better than to see her best friend happily settled. It was about time. “Wonderful,” she said in an enthusiastic voice.

Kyra frowned at her not understanding what they were talking but knew it involved her. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh, I think she’s been affected by my dad,” Jake answered her ruefully as he handed her an aperitif.

Ash, not feeling pleased to be outwitted decided to change the course of the conversation.

“Do you know that Jake proposed to help in the kitchen?” And it was Jake’s turn to scowl.

“No kidding,” Devin scowled immediately.

“He built a forest,” started Ash as if he was proud of his best friend while everyone knew he was teasing.

“In the kitchen?!” exclaimed Kyra.

“Yes,” answered Ash nodding seriously.

“Wow! Now that’s a start!” Devin observed not quite comprehending the matter but was playing along for the fun.

“Give me a break, Ash,” growled Jake good-humoredly.

Fortunately, the arrival of the Coopers and the Palmers put a stop to Ash’s teasing.

Rachel smiled warmly as she greeted Nash Cooper and his wife Susan. They were shortly followed by Sean Palmer, his wife Maria and two children Shane and Sarah.

The diner was a total hit and everybody enjoyed the food prepared by the two housekeepers who were warmly congratulated by everybody. As the dessert was served, Ash once again teased Jake about his cooking skills but the latter ignored him completely.

“Ash,” called Rachel as the diner was over and they were all heading for the study for a pleasant chat or a few games. “Why don’t you help me with the dishes?” she asked him sweetly and she restrained a smile at his horrified expression. Poor chap! Looked as if she had asked him to slaughter someone instead. Good for him! thought Rachel wickedly. That would teach him to tease her husband now!

“Mom,” he turned towards his mother trying to evade the task.

But Aunt Susie only laughed knowingly. “Sorry Ash. I’m having a nice chat with Maria here.”

Everyone laughed as Ash left with no choice followed Rachel in the kitchen but not without vowing to get even with everyone.

“Huh.. Rachel, I need to talk to you. Could you take Rachel’s place?” Devin asked hopefully looking as innocent as a new-born child.

“Of course,” Kyra answered ever ready to be useful not doubting for a second what ploy was being hatched behind her back.

“You’ll never change,” rebuked Rachel Devin as they joined the others in the showroom.

“Ah, but that’s a good thing, don’t you think?” he replied grinning not quite expecting an answer.

“What are you two plotting?” Aunt Susie asked suspiciously as she caught sight of them whispering in low tones.

“Beats me,” answered Jake as Aunt Susan voiced his thoughts. “They have been acting weird ever since they’ve met. I just hope that whatever it is, it won’t contribute to my downfall.”

“Wishful thinking,” Sarah put in chuckling well aware of Devin’s nature.

“I know,” Jake agreed. “And to think that if it wasn’t for me, those two would have been married by now!” he said indignantly remembering Devin’s initial plot to get him married to Rachel.

Everyone laughed at the joke and Rachel felt a little light-headed that Jake could laugh about what had happened before the marriage. It meant he no longer bore a grudge.

When nobody was looking her way, she retreated to the balcony enjoying the fresh breeze blowing softly on her face playing with her loose hair.

How she wished things were different between Jake and herself. She wanted him to make love to her. But she knew Jake. He had a strong sense of honor towards his family. If he took her virginity, he would insist in sticking to the marriage. And she would never know whether Jake had stayed with her because of his damned sense of honor or because he felt something for her. She knew she was clutching at straws when she hoped that he would finally return her feelings.

For five long years, she had harbored intense teenage feelings for him feeling more and more desperate watching him change from girlfriend to girlfriend. Then one day she had finally reached college and had wanted to change her feelings for Jake. Had wanted to move on. She could never have a boyfriend because everyone she had tried to date could never measure to Jake.

Now as she felt similar feelings engulfing her, she was hating it and wishing it would go away. As it had. But she knew that her infatuation was in fact love and would never go. So she had no choice other than letting him go. Maybe with some distance between them she might come to overcome those feelings and lead a normal life without him. As she had once succeeded.

It was during times like those that Rachel wished that her parents were still alive. Someone she could rely upon and share her worries with. Or simply laugh with.

“Thinking of someone special?” queried a voice from behind that made goose bumps popped all over her skin.

“Yes,” she answered and Jake was standing directly behind her. “My parents.”

Instantly, his arms wrapped around her waist in a comforting gesture and he drew her towards him. “I can understand. I miss my mother too, you know. She as such a wonderful person and I think Dad loved her so much that he felt no one would ever take her place. It’s just so .. difficult to let go of someone you really love, isn’t it?”

Rachel nodded her agreement silently thinking about how difficult it was to let Jake go.

“But my case is different. I still have my dad and I love him very much despite his eccentricity.

Rachel smiled and turned her head towards him. “I know.”

Suddenly, Jake bent down and kissed fully on the mouth with a loud smack.

“What was that for?” Rachel asked pleased.

Jake shrugged smiling. “You are a great girl you know.”

Rachel chuckled. “Oh really? That inspires me to be even better.”

“Aah but you’re already the best,” he countered his eyes twinkling mischievously as he bent to take possession of her lips once again.

All humor fled as the kiss grew insistent and passionate. A deep sound came at the bottom of her throat and she wrapped her hands around his neck to bring him closer. With a new expertise, she opened her mouth hungrily to give and get better access.

For a moment, everything faded in the background. They were in their own private world of pure pleasure and sensual haze. Rachel’s whole being was centered in her arms and for the moment she was in heavens.

“Damn! I hadn’t meant to do that,” Jake said as he drew back breathing hard. “I want you Rach.”

Rachel’s eyes flew to his in wonder and glee. “I want you too,” she admitted huskily.

So what if it was for one night only? She would live that one night a thousand times again after. For she knew there would never be anyone for her apart from her very own husband, Jake.

“But we both know that making love would only complicate things further between us.”

“I can handle a relationship if you’re implying otherwise.”

“I know but you’ve been saving yourself for your husband. It wouldn’t be fair for you to waste your virginity on me.”

“I want to give it to you,” she told him feeling emboldened by her love. She was playing all her cards here and if she lost, she would never try again.

“Do you think it will be easy for me to make love to you knowing that I’m your first lover and then let you go? It would be like using you. You deserve better than that. I wouldn’t be able to live with my conscience. I’m sure that someday you’ll meet the right man and we will be all laughing together. You deserve someone who would want to be forever with you.”

And with that last sentence flung in her face, Rachel decided it was time to stop hoping. Time to let him go. Time to start living without hope for a future with him.