A Taste of Sin... And Heaven

oke Marissa and she gr

faint trace of Lazar's cologne on the pillow beside her. She reache

as g

ic dream; it had really happen

ssed her to ac

touch, every whispered word, every moment of vulnerability. The memory w

ow, wondering why he had

nt, conceding she'd made love to Lazar because she had wanted him. She hated admitting she was so weak,

dn't change anythi

feel about last night? He said he liked her, d

he canopy of the bed. Then she sat up and glanced around

was about looking away when her eyes l

tered and her

was an exquisite bracelet and matching earrings-delicate gold filigree adorned

ri

an urgent matter, but I hope this token reminds you of our time toge

ur

e elegant script with her finger, a mixture of emotions swirl

fastened it around her wrist, the cool metal warming against her skin. It

sheet around herself and laid down. The ocean s

. Guilt gnawed at her, but so did a longing she couldn't ignore. Lazar had awa

e. She found herself returning--in her mind--to the spots they had shared. The garden where they dance

ance. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of or

e looked at her as if she were the only person in the

She wasn't sure if she wanted him near or far, caugh

o lose herself in books, but her mind was tethered to that night, t

nto Saturday, a

orning, she joined a sunrise yoga session at the pool, the gentle stretches and rhythmic breathing grounding her amidst

e of palm trees, letting the gentle breeze soothe her thoughts. When she returned to the resort she di

nt flavors and aromas a delightful distraction. In the afternoon, she explored the island'

to watch the waves crash against the shore. In the evening, she dined alone at the resort's restaurant, savori

ach passing day, amplifying her

ties, an undercurren

dise, had become a place of torment, a constant reminder of her transgression--her si

ng her thumb over the delicate metal, the cold touch of it clashing with the heat in her chest. For a brief moment, she cl

of items scattered across the table and dresser-the earrings, the silk scarf, the bracelet, the handmade trinket fro

fully, placing them in a

ame th

folded it once, twice, and slipped it int

rself, but her fingers lingered a moment

ocean breeze slipped in through the windows. Her suitcase sat by the door, zi

m of a waiting

ng Lilian standing just by the steps. The young wo

nd a new friend? A lot had changed in th

have to go?"

ightening as she tried to we

was the kind of embrace that said, thank you for

rissa whispered, when they

Lilian replied with

case, but Marissa paused at the edge of the driveway. She turned once more towar

k in the rearview mirror. The white walls, the garden, the winding path to the bea

eaving somethi

t glimpse of the villa disap

, fingers tightenin

o cry. But she co

thing-leaving before it became more. Befo

ned to his voice, his touch. The soothing way he ha

decision. She had

back, the tears came

een light, but her

back into her seat. She wrapped her arms around herself, an