Burning Pleasure (#2 of Trilogy of Pleasure)

Elizabeth’s POV

Three months have passed since I returned from my stay at Slater Wellness & Spa — three months since I said goodbye to the man who rocked my world.

On the surface, my life marched on unchanged, but inside, everything was different. I was different. My thoughts, desires, and feelings had all shifted.

But no one could know. Not even Kelly. What happened at Slater Wellness & Spa had to stay there.

So I buried this secret deep within, carrying the memory of those stolen moments of bliss I knew I would never taste again, all while pretending everything was fine.

Leo and I tried to keep our fragile friendship, even though he focused on winning me back. Little did he know my reluctance wasn’t because he broke my heart…

Still, my friends — including Leo — were my life, and I had to keep moving forward.

“Hello, darling,” Ms. Moyer greeted me warmly. “Welcome.”

“Hello, Ms. Moyer.”

I stepped inside and settled onto the couch, trying to relax.

“Leo will be back any minute,” she added.

As if on cue, Leo appeared in the doorway. “My two favorite girls!”

He kissed his mother’s cheek, then turned to me, his lips stretching wide as he presented a bouquet of lilies. “Liz, these are for you!”

“Leo, I don’t have space for any more flowers at home.”

“I won’t stop until you forgive me.”

“Leo,” I began, a bit defensive. “We agreed—”

“—that we are only friends. I know,” he said quickly. “I’m not forcing anything, Liz. Just want to remind you how much I am sorry.”

“Okay,” I replied, accepting the bouquet and offering a small smile. “I know you do.”

“So, kids,” Ms. Moyer interjected. “I am going out. The food is in the oven. I’ll be late. Have fun!”

She grabbed her bag and hurried out, leaving Leo and me exchanging amused glances.

“Don’t mind her,” Leo said with a shake of his head. “Honestly, I can’t tell who wants us back together more — me or her.” He flashed a grin. “So, a movie?”

“Aren’t we waiting for Kelly and Martin?”

“Nope. Tonight, it’s just the two of us.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. Only friends, right?”

“Alright, a movie it is. What are we gonna watch?”

“Spider-Man.”

I rolled my eyes. “When will you grow up, Leo?”

“Okay, you choose.”

I let out a sigh. “Forget it. Spider-Man works.”

Leo made some popcorn for us and dropped into the armchair.

It all felt so strange. I had only spent a few days with Bradford, but our relationship was on a completely different level. He was a grown, settled man — experienced, with a different lifestyle, interests, and desires. Leo, on the other hand, was still into Spider-Man, video games, and tossing popcorn in the air to catch it in his mouth.

Once, I enjoyed evenings like this, but now I craved—

“Liz, think fast!” Leo shouted just as one popcorn hit my nose.

—something different at night.

The next day

The beeping of my phone woke me the next morning. Still half-asleep, I checked my messages.

Kelly: So, what did I miss last night?

Me: We watched Spider-Man. Again🤦‍♀️You didn’t miss anything.

Kelly: At least Martin should have been happy. Give the boys the Marvel universe, and they won’t need anything else. 😂

Me: Actually, Martin didn’t come either. And Ms. Moyer went out.

Kelly: Oh. And of all the movies, Leo picked this one? 😱

Me: Yep. But it’s not like a movie could change anything...

Kelly: Won’t you forgive him already?

I gripped my phone, trying to figure out what to type next.

Me: It’s not about forgiveness, Kelly. I just… don’t think I want to be with him again.

Kelly: But you loved him so much...

Me: Maybe I still love him...but not in the same way. You wouldn’t understand...

How could she understand? I never told her what happened between Leo’s father and me.

Kelly: I’ll try — if you tell me what’s going on with you lately!

And I still didn’t have the courage to do it.

Me: Nothing is going on, Kelly. Let’s change the subject.

Kelly: You keep repeating that, but I know there’s something.

Me: You’re overthinking things. Everything is fine.

Kelly: Okay, if you say so. Change of subject — sort of... Have you bought a birthday gift for Leo yet?

Great. Leo’s birthday was coming, and of course, I hadn’t bought him anything yet.

Me: No. Do you want us to chip in and get something together?

Kelly: Liz, that would be cruel. At least buy him something on your own. It’ll be more personal.

Me: Whose side are you on, anyway?

Kelly: Always on your side! But I’m starting to pity Leo.

Me: Alright. I’ll get him something! Don’t make me feel bad.

I knew that, on some level, Kelly was right. Even so, it was hard for me to balance trying to keep our friend group together without giving Leo the wrong idea about us.

With a yawn, I got out of bed. Looked like I’d be spending my day off shopping.

Once I was ready and had some coffee, I headed to the menswear store at the mall where Martin worked.

“Hey, Martin.”

“Oh, hey, Lizzy. Didn’t expect to see you here. What are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for a gift for Leo,” I said, glancing at the ties section.

“You want to buy him a tie? Liz, Leo doesn’t wear shirts.”

“Maybe I could get him a shirt too?” I shrugged with an innocent smile.

“Liz...”

“Okay, I really have no idea what to get him.”

“I can tell you what would make him happiest, and it’s not a material gift.”

“Martin, please. Don’t you start, too. Leo was the one who broke up with me. I’ve accepted that. Now I’m doing my best to keep our friendship, but if you all keep this up, I’ll stop hanging out with all of you.”

“Okay, okay. Calm down, Lizzy! I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I let out a small sigh. “It’s okay. I’m sorry, too.” I rubbed my face. “Maybe I’ll just go to the game store and get him a video game. Bye, Martin.”

“Bye, Liz.”

I didn’t want to overreact, but all the drama about Leo and me was starting to get on my nerves.

At least spending a few hours at the mall helped take my mind off things. I had lunch, bought some knick-knacks from the home goods store, and chose a video game with headphones for Leo. Mission completed.

In the afternoon, I savored the quiet at home, watching tiny raindrops streak down the window, when my phone rang.

“Hey, Liz! Tonight — same time, same place?” Leo’s voice came through the phone.

“Same movie?” I answered with a question.

“You want us to watch Spider-Man again?”

“That was sarcasm, Leo.”

“Noted. No Spider-Man.”

“Good.”

That word pierced me like a knife. Bradford used to say it when he was feeling really good. His voice echoed in my mind: “Good. Because I like to watch you like that.”; “Good. I feel great, too.”

My eyes filled with tears.

“Liz.” Leo’s voice snapped me out of it.

I’d almost forgotten I was still on the phone with him.

I hesitated for a while, staring out the window. Part of me wanted to stay home and wallow in memories of Bradford — every moment we’d shared replaying on a loop. But another part, desperate for normalcy, knew that wouldn’t help. Maybe keep being around friends and the familiar comfort of our old routines could help me finally find the way to the girl I was before.

“Um, okay, Leo,” I replied. “Same time, same place.”

So, when the evening came, I got dressed and headed for Leo’s house.

Ms. Moyer welcomed me as lovingly as ever.

“Enjoy the evening, kids. I will finish the dinner and join you,” she said, and then went to the kitchen.

Just as I was about to sit on the couch, Leo stepped in front of me.

“Liz.”

His closeness made me tense. Was I making a mistake by spending so much time with him? I didn’t know what was right anymore.

“I promised to respect your decision. And believe me, I don’t want to put pressure on you. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes. But one thing has been bothering me... Is there another man?”

The question I’d dreaded. I closed my eyes, searching for the right words. Once, he’d been honest with me. I couldn’t lie to him, but how could I admit I was in love with his father?

I took another slow breath.

“It’s complicated,” I said, keeping my eyes on the floor.

“So there is?”

Memories of Brad surged again — his face, his lips, his touch.

“Not exactly.” I paused. “I’m sorry, Leo. I know that’s not what you want to hear.”

“Actually, it is. ‘Not exactly’ means there’s still hope. I can still fight for you.”

“Leo...”

“No pressure, Liz. I meant what I said. But I won’t give up on you. On us. As I told you back then at the hotel, I’m ready to do anything to fix the biggest mistake of my life.”

Tears welled up again, dragging me back to that moment three months ago — meeting Leo just minutes after I’d been with his father.

I couldn’t help myself. One tear rolled down.

“I love you, Liz!”

Leo gently brushed my cheek, then leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I froze. For a heartbeat, I let him, but there was nothing behind it — no spark, no longing. Nothing.

I pulled away, shaking my head softly. Before I could say anything, the doorbell rang.

Ms. Moyer hurried through the living room toward the door, calling over her shoulder, “Don’t stop because of me. I’ll just get the door.”

So she did. She opened it, and a familiar voice drifted in from outside.

“Hello, Patty.”

That voice.

“Bradford!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here? Come in!”

She turned to us with excitement in her eyes. “Leo, you’ll never guess who’s here!”

Bradford stepped into the room.

“Dad?”

“Hello, son,” Bradford said, then looked at me. “Elizabeth.”

I felt my heart stutter. “Bra— Um... Mr. Slater?”