Bye Bye Playboy

After a passionate lovemaking session, Livia Ashcroft lay weakly against her lover Angelo Bradley's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling the semen he left inside her body. Her heart was pounding, and it took a long time for her to calm down.

Puffing on a cigarette after the act, Angelo looked the epitome of contentment as he exhaled languidly.

"I’ll be twenty-six this year," Livia said in a sweet, soft voice, her hand resting on his chest. "My family's pressuring me to get married."

Flakes of ash fell on the comforter.

Angelo felt his heart skip a beat.

Nonchalantly flicking the ash from the comforter, Angelo asked, "Found someone suitable to marry?"

"Yes."

"Do you like him?"

"He's willing to give me a home."

Angelo took another drag of his cigarette, then put it out in the ashtray.

"That's good. I'll move out soon then." Gently pushing her away, he got out of bed and made his way to the bathroom.

Livia listened to the sound of water running in the bathroom, feeling a pang of discomfort. She threw back the covers, got out of bed barefoot, and opened the bathroom door. A cloud of steam billowed out, revealing his tall, muscular form, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs—a stark contrast to her otherwise drab life.

Angelo turned to face her through the mist. The sound of running water stopped. "What, eager for another round?" he teased.

For three years, there had been many moments of intimacy between Livia and him, yet she always felt a touch of shyness.

But shyness didn't mean she wasn't bold enough.

She moved toward him, her hands gliding across his chest, inching their way downwards until he let out a muted groan. She kissed the droplets of water on his chest, her eyes misty and her red lips slightly parted. "Are you really not going to marry me?"

Angelo tilted his head back, eyes closed, his face the very image of pleasure. "We both agreed from the start."

"Can you really bear to let go?" Livia knew exactly where to touch him, making him almost want to give himself to her completely.

Angelo's throat felt dry. He swallowed lightly, and Livia bit down on his Adam's apple.

Angelo opened his eyes, his large hand grasping her slender waist, lifting her up as he entered her body. He said, hoarsely, "Don't marry anyone else."

"I can't wait forever." Livia tilted her head back, the mist swirling before her eyes. The overhead light flickered.

"Then go ahead and get married."

His voice was gruff as he imagined her in bed with someone else. His rhythm intensified, each thrust an expression of his feelings. He wished he could snuff her out.

That way, she would never belong to anyone else.

Livia had let herself become consumed by a volatile passion, secretly hoping it would persuade Angelo to stay, that he might even lie about marrying her if necessary. But when he left, he didn't even look back.

Her hand stroked the pillow where he had once slept, and her mind wandered back to a moment three years ago.

Three years ago, he had been inebriated, slumped on the roadside. She had grabbed the chance and took him back to her place.

That night, in a bout of drunken fervor, they were entwined in a passionate encounter that lasted until dawn.

When he sobered up, he told her they were good together, and that if she was alright with a casual arrangement, they could keep it going. When she was ready to settle down, all she had to do was tell him, and he would step aside.