I woke up fully dressed in his bed. I lay and listened, but couldn't hear any movement. The clock flashed 9.18. I went into the kitchen. Empty, and no sign of Molly. I figured Adam had taken her for a run, so I had a shower. When I was finished, I put on one of Adam's clean t-shirts and lay back on the bed. Every muscle ached like I'd been hit by a truck. I cuddled the pillow to wait until he returned.

I must have fallen asleep. When I opened my eyes, Adam was sitting in the corner chair with a cup of coffee. His hair was wet, and he was wearing a pair of board shorts. He smiled. I smiled back and glanced at the clock, 10.32. He put down the cup, climbed onto the bed, slid his arms around me and drew me close. I snuggled against him. We lay holding each other.

He didn't touch me other than to draw gentle circles on my back. Adam was leaving it up to me. I loved and wanted to be with him, but I don't want to get hurt again. I was determined to move forward at my own pace. I brushed his lips with mine. He responded and crushed me to him. It wasn't what I wanted.

"Adam." I pushed him. He jerked back and frowned at me. I said, "It's not what I want."

Adam released me but left his hand on my hip. "You don't want me?" he said with fear in his eyes.

"I'm not ready for that. Not yet. Not now."

He cocked his head. "I don't understand. Are we finished?"

I couldn't help but smile. I touched his face with my fingers. "Why is it men assume that because a woman doesn't want to have sex with them, that it's the end of the world?"

Adam didn't answer me, but continued to look at me, bewildered.

"I want to take things slow," I explained. "I need to learn to trust you. I don't want to get hurt again." I kissed him once more. "Sex isn't just sex for me, Adam. It's me giving my whole self to you. I can't do that yet. If you want me, you'll have to wait until I'm ready. I love you and want to be with you, but I need time to heal." I pushed up and leaned on my hand to see him better. "You said you wanted to rewind to before I answered your phone. I want to go back to before the first time we had sex. I hope you can understand."

He grinned and touched my lips with his fingers. "So, you're not dumping me, just punishing me."

His comment irritated me. "Is this a joke to you? A game. Twist what I say into something meaningless because if it is, I'll leave right now." I shuffled off the bed.

"No." Adam caught my hand. "I'm sorry. Jasmine, I didn't mean that. I get you. I was trying to be funny. I wanted to make you laugh. To make you happy because I've made you sad. I was trying to change it. I'm sorry." He stroked my face and said, "I'll wait. I can wait for as long as it takes. Please, honey. It was a stupid thing to say."

I bit my lip and studied his face, then he added, "Tell me what I can do. How do you want to move forward? How can I prove myself to you?" He sat and ran his hand over my cheek and into my hair. "Please, Jasmine, don't take it the wrong way. I was trying to make you smile." He gripped my hand. "Let me take you for lunch somewhere, and we'll talk more. I can't change who I am or what I do for now, but I need you to forgive me; otherwise, no matter what I do, it won't work."

Adam continued to caress my hand and face. He was right. If I couldn't forgive him, I would read stuff that wasn't there into everything he said or did.

"Okay. But you have to understand I'm sensitive at the moment, and I'm scared of getting hurt. Men move on, but women don't. I need to know I have some control, and that you respect me." I sighed and added, "It was all about you before, Adam. Me, waiting for you, and that's not fair."

"I get it, honey. I got it when we talked that night you stayed over, but it's not because I disrespect you. It has to do with what I do. My phone will still ring, and I'll have to leave. And I can't make definite arrangements to see you, but I promise that will change soon. I know I'm asking a lot, but for now, I have no choice. I have to continue that part of my life, Jasmine." He cupped my face and continued, "It's not because I don't want to be with you. I want to be with you every minute of my life." Adam leant forward and put his lips on mine. I did what my heart told me to do. I kissed him.

Adam sighed against my mouth and pulled me on top of him. He ran his hand up the back of my leg to my bare backside.

I turned my mouth away and shook my head. "Ugh Ugh...not what I want."

Adam pouted and let his hands drop.

He lay naked to the waist with his hands behind his head, watching me put my knickers on and tie my hair. I didn't know how long I'd be able to resist him but I was determined to make him work for me.

I put my hands on my hips. "You have to get up now and take me home so I can get some clean clothes. Then you're taking me and Molly to the beach and buying us fish and chips for lunch. Flowers or chocolates wouldn't hurt either." I paused. "Better still, buy me both. That would be a good beginning."

He tried not to grin.

I kept a stern expression and raised my eyebrows. "So, you think I'm being funny?"

He jumped up with his hands held out in front of him. "No. No, I get it. Let me grab a shirt." Adam took hold of the one I had on. "Are you taking this off because I'll wear it if you are?"

I tried hard not to smile. "You have to go out so I can change."

Adam grinned at me. "Are you going to be this bossy all the time because I have to warn you it's turning me on?"

"Adam!"

He held his hands in surrender. "Okay. What will happen if I don't do what you want? Will you whip my arse? Because I'd like that."

I grimaced to hide my smile and gave him as evil a look as I could while his emerald eyes glistened with humour.

Adam is really pushing Jasmine's boundaries.  I'm proud of her for staying strong.

Photo copyright - Rob Lang Images.