Jarrod was not devoid of desire, but he generally chose to control it.
The overt advances from women rarely interested him.
Often, they even repelled him.
Publicly, Jarrod acknowledged only Vicki, yet their relationship had not progressed beyond platonic interactions.
Vicki had made advances, but Jarrod had maintained his boundaries, clear about his disinterest in deepening their physical connection.
If they were to marry, Jarrod expected Vicki to embrace a celibate life.
She had already consented to not have children.
Imposing further would be unfair.
Thus, Jarrod had Alec subtly introduce the notion of a vasectomy as a litmus test for Vicki.
If she accepted, all would proceed.
If not, it would simplify his decisions.
Despite rumors, Jarrod knew his disinterest wasnât due to work stress but something more personal.
His desires only emerged in solitude, always fixated on one particular woman, Nicole.
Nicoleâs recent ki*s with Jarrod had unexpectedly reawakened his dormant longings.
Annoyed with himself, he turned on the cold water, hoping to quell the heat within.
Feeling somewhat composed after his cold shower, Jarrod donned a silk robe.
Leaving his hair damp, he exited his room.
He encountered the housekeeper in the hallway, carrying a hairdryer likely intended for Nicole.
Jarrod extended his hand, his voice low and firm.
âGive it to me.
â
In the room, Nicole lay on the bed.
Her damp hair, still wet from the bath, framed her face.
She wore a silk nightgown that the housekeeper had helped her into.
The neckline was slightly loose, threatening to reveal more with any small movement.
Jarrod approached with a hairdryer in hand and began to gently dry her hair.
His movements were practiced and deft.
He had done this before.
A few years ago, he had dried Nicoleâs hair when she was more submissive, almost like a contented kitten on the bed.
That first time Jarrod dried a womanâs hair was with Nicole, and since then, he hadnât done it for anyone else.
Now, as he repeated the gesture, his feelings had shifted.
Their relationship was beyond repair.
The warm air blew gently against her scalp.
Nicole felt the warmth and tingled slightly but did not wake up.
The bed, Jarrodâs own, was spacious, a massive 2.
8 meters wide.
After a momentâs hesitation, Jarrod climbed into bed and pulled the covers over himself.
The mattress dipped under his weight.
Jarrod had no intentions beyond sharing the bed, something he hadnât done with Nicole in a long time.
On a whim, he wanted to experience it again tonight.
The blanket carried the faint, alluring scent of Nicole.
Jarrod closed his eyes, deeply inhaling the unfamiliar fragrance, savoring it.
He thought the long-lost scent of Nicoleâs should have soothed him into sleep.
Instead, it sharpened his mind, awakening something primal within him.
Struggling to maintain control, Jarrod fought against the raw urges surfacing within his consciousness.
He exerted every effort to master himself.
But his body reacted quicker than his mind, driven by the proximity of her intoxicating presence.
The pale skin, the soft breathing, and the red marks, all fueled his imagination in ways he wished he could suppress.