It's too hot to sleep, and the sheets are all tangled up on the floor, so I just stare at the ceiling. I can't stop thinking about her body, and I really want to be with her. All I can think about is the feel of her skin, and how we would move together. I can't help but imagine how her lips would taste, how her voice would sound when she moaned my name. It's a pleasure and tortures all at once, knowing that I can't have her.

I picture myself knocking on the door to her bedroom, and when she opens it, she is only wearing a smile. I can almost feel my lips brushing against hers. As I imagine this moment, I can feel my heart racing with anticipation and excitement. I can almost hear the sound of my heart beating in my ears. I can almost taste the sweetness of our first kiss, a kiss that will bring us closer together.

Screw it!

I drag myself out of bed and quickly dress in some sweatpants and throw on a t-shirt. I get up and head down the hallway after leaving the bedroom. After preparing myself, I approach her door and knock on it in a low tone.

"Just a minute,"

She opens the door in just a robe. My mind wonders if she is wearing anything underneath. She notices my gaze, and a coy smile graces her lips.

"Hey, is something wrong?" She asks.

After looking her up and down, I say, "Umm, no. I couldn't sleep and was wondering if you'd like to join me for a glass of wine?"

"Sure," She smiles, "Just give me one second."

She nudges the door gently shut as I nod. While I wait, I lean against the wall of the hallway. I observe her appearance in the mirror that is placed in her room. I watch as she stands there in nothing but a bra and lace panties after she has taken off her robe. However, something on her back grabs my attention and draws my focus. Scars?

As I stand here, I can't help but wonder who would do something like that to her. I have to assume that whatever transpired in her past is the reason why she uprooted her life and relocated halfway across the country to Toronto. As she exits her room, a grin spreads across her face. Her eyes stay fixed on my naked chest for a little bit longer, but I don't mind one bit. We make our way into the living room, where she takes a seat while I get the wine glasses and the bottle ready.

She takes a sip and finally asks the question I know she's been dying to ask.

"So, why marry Gisselle? The boys don't like her and from what I've seen, those boys are your whole world."

I chuckle, "What are you trying to say?"

She looks at me with concern, "I can't comprehend why you would put them through that?"

I take a sip and proceed to explain, "First, no one will ever come above those two boys." She smiles as I say that, "Secondly, Gisselle's father's company is going down hill but he has an impressive amount of engineers that I want. So I made a deal. I'd marry his daughter for his company. He agreed right on the spot."

She looks at me confused, "So, basically your marriage is a business transaction?"

I nod and she starts to laugh, she covers her mouth, "Sorry, I know it's not funny, but damn I feel sorry for her." I can't help but join in her laughter, despite my better judgement.

"Don't be. I'm not. Plus we both get what we want. She gets me to brag about, and I get her daddy's company."

"Lucky girl," She mumbles underneath her breath as she puts her head down.

I smile, "Turn around."

She shifts her position so that her back is turned to me. As I come closer, I lift her shirt and softly run my fingers along the scars on her back. When I touch her, she stiffens her body as if she is expecting the worst possible outcome. I am taken aback by the tension in her body and can feel my heart sinking into my stomach.

"What happened?" I ask softly.

She pulls her shirt down and faces me. A tear coming down her face. I take my thumb and wipe it away. My eyes on her and I feel helpless. She takes a deep breath,

"As you know, I moved to Toronto three years ago. I left with the clothes on my back and a small backpack."

"Why did you run?" Curiosity takes over.

"My ex," She states, "He became obsessive, everything I did was wrong. One day he snapped all because a male classmate in college asked for some help. All I remember is waking up with bruises everywhere and blood seeping through my shirt. He almost killed." She looks up, holding back her tears. "I didn't even graduate because I ran."

"What happened to him?" She looks at me, "Sorry, if you don't want to talk about it, it's okay. I understand."

"It's okay." She starts. "My older brother is a cop back home. They arrested him but since I ran, they couldn't charge him and they let him go. My family acts like they have no idea where I went, just to keep me safe."

"So, he is still out there?"

She nods and starts to cry. I pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her.

"Shh, it's okay. You're safe here." I cup her face, "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

I lean in close and give her a kiss; at first, she is apprehensive, but after a few moments, she begins to unwind. As I lift her into my lap, my tongue moves to separate our lips. When her arms are around my neck, I get completely absorbed in the moment. This is so natural between us; I don't want to stop, but she backs away.

"We can't do this, you're getting married." She gets up, "I'm sorry." And like that she walks away. I lean my head back and rub my face.

Fuck! What did I just do?

I get up and head to my room. I close the door and strip down to my boxers. Before I climb into bed, a knock on the door stops me.