Life consisted of men and lace Then Grayson took Ophelia home Life began to consist of wealth and S U I T S *Sequel to L A C E* ®All Rights Reserved to ARM179 Best Ranking: #152 in Short Story 19/1/16

I could feel the goosebumps on my skin before I registered what was happening. He pulled me towards his body with the hand around my waist. "Don't do this Sophia. You can't give up now." Came his muffled plea from his mouth at the top of my head. "That's the thing though, I can't afford to give anything up anymore. Not my heart, not my dignity and not my integrity." I removed his hand from my waist and moved away from him. "This was only a job to you, you said it one time. So go back to that, because once this is over I'm going back to my life before you." I didn't dare look back at him because my resolve would crumble. I couldn't afford to give my heart to someone that wasn't sure if he could even keep it and reciprocate it the same. "You don't mean that. Sweet, please look at me." When I didn't turn towards him I felt him grab my wrist and spin me around towards him. I crashed into his chest and he immediately grabbed my chin forcing my face upward. Before I knew it his lips were on mine kissing me. I longed for this kiss for a while so it was no surprise when my arms went up around his neck and I started kissing him back with the same amount of fervor. My heart was beating wildly in my chest and I felt something spread from my chest to the tips of my fingers and toes.

I stood at attention, saluting him. "At ease." And then I was in his arms and he was kissing me. I unzipped his uniform jacket and slid it off his shoulders. He pulled my t-shirt over my head, and continued his assault on me. He lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. "This is wrong." He said, but continued. "I know." I said, also not willing to stop.