Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila nursed her half glass of wine, sipping slowly, but somehow managed to keep Timothy company until he'd polished off the entire bottle of red.

A pleasant haze of tipsiness clouded her senses as Timothy lit a cigarette. The way he smoked—lazy, assured—cast him in an even more enigmatic and irresistible light, the pale smoke curling around his sharp features.

Sheila's heart fluttered uncontrollably. Tonight, she told herself, he would be hers.

Jessica, that mute girl—she'd managed to seduce Timothy in bed, hadn't she? Sheila refused to believe she could be any less alluring than Jessica.

After tonight, she'd make sure Timothy would never forget her.

Thinking back over the past few weeks, Sheila felt her cheeks flush. Night after night, she'd watched romantic movies, studying every move and trick, determined to be perfect when the time finally came.

She and Timothy were the same age-old enough to understand desire. Even when the longing gnawed at her, she'd always kept her distance, saving herself for the only man she truly loved.

But lately, her late-night lessons only fueled her hunger, leaving her restless and aching.

And now, the man she wanted was right in front of her.

The gnawing emptiness inside was nearly unbearable.

She wanted him-desperately.

She remembered the day he'd left Jessica with a split lip. He must be even more intense than those actors on screen.

Timothy smoked his cigarette down to the filter, but it did nothing to quell the restless heat that burned through his veins.

He needed to go home. He always felt his needs more acutely after drinking.

Jessica had been turning him down for days now, and the pent-up frustration was close to boiling over.

He stood, grabbing his suit jacket. His voice, low and roughened by alcohol, sounded even more magnetic. "I'm heading out. You should get some rest."

But when he took a step, his legs nearly buckled under him.

Sheila rushed over to steady him. "Timothy, you've had too much. You can't drive. Let me call a driver and help you sit down for a bit.”

He'd been drinking-of course he shouldn't drive. And he'd forgotten to ask Secretary Allen to pick him up.

No choice but to call for a driver.

Sheila eased Timothy onto the couch. "I'll make you some strong tea. It'll help clear your head."

"Thanks," he murmured.

While preparing the tea, Sheila made sure to add a generous amount of the special herbal mixture. She'd only slipped a tiny bit into the wine earlier Timothy was used to drinking at business functions, and she couldn't risk him noticing. But the wine was gone now; anything after this was fair game. noveldrama

After all, everyone knew red wine had a way of loosening inhibitions-a perfect prelude to seduction.

She brought the tea to Timothy. "Drink this slowly. I'll call the driver for you."

Men could suffer, too, when their desires went unfulfilled.

Timothy downed the strong tea, hoping it would help suppress the urge that threatened to overwhelm him.

But it didn't. If anything, his mind grew even foggier.

Sheila didn't actually call for a driver. Instead, she slipped away to take a shower. She'd once lived in The Gilded Whisper Estates, and kept her

favorite soaps and lotions frother

there stashed in the guest bathroom.

She changed into a silk camisole nightgown before returning.

Timothy was sprawled on the sofa, eyes closed, teetering between sleep and wakefulness.

She approached quietly, saying nothing, and gently dabbed at the sweat on his brow with a soft handkerchief.

Half-conscious, Timothy was swept

up in a wave of silent tenderne wept

The

t of that familiar body wash dover him.

Jessy... his mind whispered.

MS

He caught Sheila's slender wrist, pulled her into his arms, and rolled her beneath

him.

Sheila never uttered a word.

Only their breaths and racing heartbeats filled the quiet.

That hush-so reminiscent of Jessica-wrapped around Timothy like a memory.

His presence, masculine and overwhelming, engulfed Sheila.

Her heart hammered in her chest.

She closed her eyes and waited for Timothy's kiss.