'Isaac is totally nuts!' Josephine thought.
Seeing her lost in thought, Stuart gave her nose a gentle tap. "Hey, snap out of it."
Josephine looked up at him. "So, did you tell Elbert and Carol?"
Stuart shook his head, looking pretty down. "I have no idea how to even start."
"You'll have to tell them sooner or later," Josephine said, feeling a bit sad. "Just talk to them honestly."
"Okay," Stuart said, looking at her. "I came to you hoping you'd give me some courage."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Josephine asked, curious.
"Maybe a kiss?"
Both of them thought about that kiss. It was just a kiss, but it felt amazing, like every cell in their bodies was buzzing.
Josephine lowered her eyes and gave him a little push. "You should go handle your business."
But Stuart leaned in, placing his hands on the sofa, almost trapping her with his body. "This is the business."
He was so close, but still a tiny bit away.
He knew he was being a bit of a jerk, using his looks to tempt Josephine. He looked at her, his gaze intense. "Josephine, let me kiss you, okay?"
Josephine tried to back away, but he moved closer until she had nowhere to go. His handsome face was right in front of her, still stunning up close, making her heart race.
Josephine couldn't deny she liked his face. Part of why she liked Stuart back then was because he was so good-looking. Now he was so close, his cool masculine scent slowly filling her nose.
Josephine felt like just an ordinary person, always dealing with everyday problems. She took a moment to calm herself and then reached out to hook her arm around Stuart's neck.
"Let's get one thing straight first..." she said, her breath warm.
Stuart lowered his eyes, looking at her lips, delicate like petals. "Go ahead," he said.
Their breaths mingled, and they could hear each other's heartbeats.
"Maybe this kiss..." Josephine said with difficulty, "has nothing to do with love."
She felt guilty saying it. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might jump out. She didn't know how Stuart would react, but she felt like a teenager with a first crush, nervous and excited.
Stuart wasn't much better off. In fact, he was struggling even more. It took all his self-control not to kiss her first.
Stuart thought that if this happened a few more times, his body might not handle it well.
Holding back like this, it was a wonder if nothing went wrong.
"Okay." His voice was low and sexy. "Anyway, I'm yours. You can kiss me however you want."
He moved closer, tempting her. "Do you want to?"
Josephine couldn't hold back anymore. She leaned in and gently kissed his lips.
At first, Stuart held back, letting her take the lead. But Josephine just pressed against him, not in a hurry to go further.
Stuart couldn't help but part his lips, his tongue sneaking out.
Josephine couldn't resist and pressed closer to him.
Stuart let out a satisfied sigh, and the hand propped on the sofa wrapped around Josephine's slender waist.
He pressed her onto the sofa, guiding her and seducing her like a devil.
Making her want more from him.
In the end, Stuart couldn't hold back and began to explore her sweetness actively. Amid Josephine's soft moans, her body went limp, and her hands slid from Stuart's back to his lean waist.
No one knew how long it took, but Stuart finally pulled away from the kiss.
Josephine was still lost in the pleasure, and when Stuart moved back, she instinctively followed him. She shifted slightly, her raised legs brushing against Stuart.
Stuart let out a muffled groan, pulled her hand away, and distanced his lower body from her. It was too much. He hadn't touched a woman in over five years, making him super sensitive.
Not to mention a kiss, even a glance from Josephine could make him feel a surge of desire.
"Josephine." He opened his eyes and saw Josephine's beautiful, slightly dazed face, making him feel even more uncomfortable.
Josephine had no idea how alluring she looked as she gazed at Stuart with seductive eyes and a hint of charm.
"I need to use the bathroom," Stuart said, and then he fled in panic.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hide the changes in his body.
Josephine lay on the sofa, taking a long time to recover from that feeling. And Stuart still hadn't come out of the bathroom.
Thinking about what Stuart might be doing, Josephine's face turned as red as the sunset. She couldn't help but turn to the side and bury her face in the pillow.
Another ten minutes passed, and Stuart still hadn't come out.
Josephine couldn't help but get up, walk over, and knock on the bathroom door. "Stuart?"
"I'm here."
"Are you done?"
There was no movement inside, so Josephine continued, "Should I open the door?"
As soon as Josephine finished speaking, the door opened.
Stuart stood in front of her, his bangs hanging down, slightly wet, making him look much younger and more casual.
"Why did it take so long?"
Stuart looked at her. "What do you think?"
Josephine's ears turned red under his intense gaze, and she lowered her head. "You should go."
"You're kicking me out again," Stuart said, then reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Josephine," he sighed, "I'm so grateful that you're willing to give me another chance."
Josephine said nothing.
"But am I being too greedy? Just this doesn't seem enough. I want more, I want a lot more."
Josephine still didn't know what to say. In her previous plans, there was no room for romance. But she lost to Stuart once again.
No, she lost to fate and destiny.
Honestly, she hadn't seriously thought about what the future held for her and Stuart. She even thought that these days were quite good.
She had to admit that her past marriage brought her not only pain but also a fear of love. She often wondered if there really was love, but how long could it last? How long could Stuart's passion last?
Maybe she was overthinking, but she felt it was normal to have such worries.
Who could guarantee that someone who had changed for the better wouldn't change for the worse in the future?
Sometimes Josephine thought about not thinking about anything—love, promises, fidelity, or even marriage, which might be unnecessary. If two people felt right, they could be together. When they got tired, they could part ways.
It seemed like a very irresponsible attitude, but it was the best reflection of her current mindset.