Stop him Maggie. Stop him.

That was what her brain kept telling to do her but it was as if her body had detached itself from her head. She wanted to push Brian away. She'd tried to do it but she couldn't. How long had it been since he kissed her like that? When he angled his head, she did the same. He slipped his tongue into her mouth tangling it with hers and all she could do was welcome him. The part of her brain that was still functioning tried to tell her to stop him but she shut it down and concentrated on the kiss.

She had forgotten what it was like to kiss him. Slowly he was reminding her and her body wanted more. The sparks flying between them were still there. For a moment Maggie forgot where she was. Holding on to his suit jacket, she stood on her tip toes seeking more of what he was offering. Later she would kick herself for giving in to him but for now, she wasn't going to think about. She would enjoy the feel of his....

"There you are. Have you come to your senses yet?" Brian jerked his head back asking. Still in a daze, she blinked up at him waiting for her mind to go back to working. She didn't know what he saw but he wasn't convinced so he kissed her again. A slow, wet kiss that robbed her completely of her senses. He knew what he was doing, correction, he knew what she liked, how she liked it and how to drive her crazy. And boy did he take advantage of that. When he lifted his head again, he was smiling "That is so much better"

"I.... I.... " Maggie tried to speak but she couldn't come up with a coherent sentence.

"By now you should realize that no other man is right for you. I'm the only one who can make you feel this way"

"No" she said, not because she was raising an objection but because she needed to say something.

"Yes. You might claim to love your boyfriend, even end up marrying him but he can't give you the one thing only I can Maggie. And that is passion. Right now we're burning for each other in a way you'll never burn for him. He makes you comfortable while I light you on fire. So when you go to bed tonight, I want to think who you want more. Do you want to spend your life comfortably or live on the edge. Think carefully darling" giving her one last peck, he walked away, leaving her to lean on the wall because her legs couldn't stand on their own.

Absentmindedly, she raised a hand, touching her lips. Was she so desperate that she wanted to call him back? Or had she completely lost it? This was crazy. He hadn't touched her. This was the first time he'd kissed her ever since she got back. And she was going crazy for even considering what he'd said. Now her life was divided into two parts. Before Brian kissed her and after. Before it was easy to tell herself she could move on and be happy with anyone. Now? She had to stop and wonder if what he'd said to her was really true.

Making love with Stephan was nice. He made her feel all warm inside. She didn't want to but she was going to describe it as basic, mundane even. While Brian made her want to tear his clothes off. Already, a kiss was making her wonder what it would be like this time. Five years ago, she had been a child who was still discovering her sexuality. She didn't understand some of the things he'd done and how she was supposed to feel about them. But now she did. God, were his kisses always so hot?

"Maggie, you took too long. I thought you'd gotten lost" Stephan said startling her. She pushed away from the wall and shook her head to get rid of those silly thoughts "What's wrong? You look weird. Are you feeling sick?"

"I'm fine. Can we leave now?"

"Are you sure you don't want to stay longer?"

"Let's go. I'm tired and I need to rest"

"Alright, I'll just get us a cab. If I'd known we would be here for so long I would have rented a car"

"A cab is fine. Just get me out of here"

The ride back to their hotel was quiet. Even when they were in the room, Maggie couldn't bring herself to speak. Her mind was filled with conflicting thoughts. So what if Stephan didn't arouse her like Brian did? She still loved him. In her own way she knew she loved him. He was kind, generous, tolerant of her impulsive decisions, always patient and truly loved her. Why wouldn't she want to spend the rest of her life with him? Because for starters, his kisses don't make you lose your mind. A voice in her head answered. And as much as she hated it, she had to agree.

Just the thought of being with Brian had her body buzzing. How could she be with Stephan while she longed to be with someone else? It wouldn't be fair to him. And she couldn't break up with him now because he would be proven right, about her getting back with Brian. Damn it Maggie, stop thinking about it. You won't get back together with him. Not after what he did to you. She tried telling herself then realized something. The anger was gone. The pain too. Every time she remembered what had happened, she would feel as of someone was squeezing her heart. But now there was nothing. Maggie tried summoning that anger at what Brian had done, she tried and failed.

"Holy shit" she muttered sitting up. When had that happened? How could she have forgotten something like that? Looking to where Stephan was sleeping, she thought of waking him and telling him but then she decided against it. If he asked how that had happened, what would she tell him? That slowly she'd let go of the past without realizing it? Or that Brian's apology had worked it's magic? Crap, that wasn't okay. Lying back down, she stared at the ceiling wondering what her next step would be.

As fate would have it, she didn't have to make a decision. It was taken right from her hand when some anonymous person posted a photo of her and Brian locking lips online. It wasn't just one but several, from different angles. The worst thing was that Stephan had woken up earlier and had already seen them. He was sitting beside her, waiting for her to wake up.

"Hey, are you hungry? I ordered room service today" he told her when she opened her eyes

"No, I'll have a cup of coffee, thanks" as he got up to pour it for her, she noticed that he was already dressed. Then she remembered about their trip and cursed inwardly. In all honesty, she wasn't in the mood to go anywhere, let alone travel to Maasai Mara.

"Here you go. Careful, it's a bit hot"

"Thank you"

He nodded smiling then took out his phone and showed her the photos. Maggie choked on the coffee "I said careful, are you okay?" he asked calmly as if he wasn't holding a phone with photos of her and another man in his hands.

"I... Stephan, let me explain"

"You don't have to. I think this was bound to happen sooner or later"

"I'm sorry" she said.

"Don't be. I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have deluded myself into believing you would ever feel anything for me"

"Don't say that. I do love you Stephan"

"I believe that. But you also love him Maggie" getting up he put his hands in his pockets and looked down at her "I was there last night and I saw everything. I heard what he told you too. I spent all night thinking about it and came to the conclusion that he was right"

"No Stephan...."

"It's alright Maggie. I'm not angry"

"Why not?" she snapped getting out of bed. He had the audacity to hold the coffee for her so it wouldn't spill. How dare he? She didn't need nice Stephan at that moment. She wanted angry and jealous Stephan. It would be easier to deal with him if he reacted instead of being so calm.

"Ah my love, this is why I fell in love with you. That quick temper of yours is adorable"

"Stop it Stephan. Your behavior is scaring me. Why aren't you angry?"

"Because deep down I was prepared for this. I've always known you weren't mine. I only continued pursuing you so I wouldn't have any regrets in the end"

"You jerk, you should be screaming at me and calling me names. Tell jealous Stephan to come out. I liked him better"

"I don't regret anything. Being with you was the best moment in my life. I will always treasure those memories"

"Okay. Let me take a shower and we can leave. I'm sure they're waiting for us..."

"I called and cancelled our reservation. I'm going back home Maggie"

She blinked "What?"

"I've already booked the flight. I'm leaving in an hour"

"You want to go back home? I'm coming with you then"

"This is your home. What you have over there is just a big empty house. Everyone you love is here. You should stay"

"Because you don't want to see me? Come on Stephan, you live next door. Even if you leave me here I'll still follow you and you'll have to see my face everyday"

"Not really. I'm going to Italy and I'll stay there for a while"

"No way. You hate that place"

"East or West home is best Maggie. Don't think about it too much. Just know that I'm not angry at you and never will be. Should we happen to meet again, I hope we can smile at each other like old friends. Be happy" and then he was out the door before she could say anything. Paralyzed by shock, Maggie stood there wondering what had just happened. She'd opened her eyes and Stephan had just disappeared. He couldn't be serious about leaving. It had to be a prank. Scoffing she sat on the bed waiting for him to come back and tell her to pack her things so they could leave.

An hour later when the knock came, she jumped up thinking she was going to punch him in the face for messing with her head "You idiot, I almost believed.....Brian?" she stopped realizing it wasn't Stephan.

"Hey, I came to see if you're okay"

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" Maggie quipped, angry that he was the one who'd come.

"The photos. Have you seen them?"

"Yeah, about that, did you set me up? Was whoever who took them there because you asked them?"

"Wow, it's too early for you to be like this. What's crawled up your ass?"

"Go to hell" she yelled slamming the door on her face. But since it was Brian, he walked in the next second waving a key card

"Why are you so angry? What did I do now?"

"Get out. I don't want to talk to you" instead of leaving he sat on the bed and said nothing until she dropped beside him "He's really gone"

"Who?"

"Stephan. He's gone and it's all your fault"

"Can't say I'm sorry to hear that"

"Didn't think you would. As always you're the same selfish asshole you've always been. Why couldn't you just let me be happy with him?"

"Because it would have been a lie"

"So what? How is it any of your business if I'm living a lie or not? It's my life Brian. I can do whatever I want with it"

"Wow, I just got a feeling of déjà vu. You remember the first time you told me that? I was so shocked I thought you'd gone insane"

"How can you remember that?"

"For the past five years I've done nothing but relive everything ever since I met you. The good, the bad, all of it. I wanted to hold on to those memories in case you never came back"

"I wish I hadn't come back"

"You're lying" the way he said it, so effortlessly, as if he could read her thoughts made her want to pull her hair out. He was also right. If she hadn't come back she wouldn't have gotten over the past.

"Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see if you were okay but now I've changed my mind"

"Leave then. I don't want to see you or anyone"

"I'll leave if you answer one question for me"

"What is it?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Never" she didn't even stop think what he'd asked. Maggie somehow knew he would ask something preposterous so she'd prepared to say no.

"No problem. I'm going to work. Next time I'll bring a ring just to show you how serious I am"

"Leave the key card on your way out. You're not welcome here"

"I'll hold on to it. Who knows? It might come in handy later" snatching a piece of bacon from the plate Stephan had brought for her, he left.

Maggie lay back on the bed. Apparently, now she was joking around with Brian. A few hours after her boyfriend had just broken up with her. God, what kind of person was she?

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

Don't have to tell you that we've got a few chapters left.

What do you think of Stephan's exit? A gentleman right to the very end. Right?