Burning Hearts

PART ONE

"I couldn't get enough of him. The more I tasted him, the more I wanted him. I was addicted to him."

Elizabeth's POV

It was a wonderful day.

Only the fierce struggle with my suitcase was causing me a headache. Did I have too much luggage, or was the suitcase simply too small?

I pressed my knee against the bulging top, fighting the zipper, when my phone rang.

"What's up, girl?" My best friend's voice came through the line, and my lips stretched in a wide smile.

"Hey, Kelly! I am packing," I said, just as I finally managed to zip the suitcase shut.

"Did you get your sexy underwear?"

"Kelly!" I scolded her, but when my eyes drifted back to the overstuffed suitcase, I added with a giggle, "I think I've packed all my stuff."

She laughed. "Liz, you'll only be on vacation for a week."

"Yeah, I know. But I've been waiting for this for so long. I want to have everything I could possibly need with me."

"Well...I'd do the same." Kelly's cheerful laughter echoed again. "Don't forget to text me from the hotel! If Leo gives you a break at least for a little while, of course."

"Jeez, Kells! Do you only think about sex? We are going to a spa. Massages and relaxation — that's all I need."

That was the truth.

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy sex, but there were so many things that mattered more. Fortunately, I had the best boyfriend — my soulmate — who felt the same way. Intimacy wasn't the center of everything for us. It was the connection, the shared moments, the quiet smiles, and the simple things that truly were building our relationship.

And thinking of him...the doorbell rang.

"Leo is here. I gotta hang up. Bye, Kells!"

I tossed my phone on my bed and opened the door.

"Hey, babe!" I greeted Leo enthusiastically.

"Hello, Liz," he replied, stepping closer and kissing me on the cheek.

On the cheek?

Something buzzed through me, but I pushed it aside. "Come in! I'm done with my luggage. I can't wait for tomorrow."

"Liz, I need to talk to you."

For a split second, the smile vanished from my face. My heart began to race. I had never seen Leo look so serious.

"What is it, Leo?"

"I know the timing isn't great… But I need to tell you something."

I narrowed my eyes. "You are starting to scare me."

"I think we need to break up."

"What?"

His words hit me like thunder out of a clear sky. Leo and I had been together for six years. Six years! We were happy — or at least, I thought we were.

"Listen, Liz. I love you—"

"You love me, yet you are breaking up with me?"

"Please, just listen. This is hard for me to say, but you deserve the truth."

"Is there another woman?" I asked, unsure whether I truly wanted to hear the answer.

"No! Never. I would never do that to you." He let out a heavy sigh. "It's just…" He took a deep breath. "We were sixteen when we started dating. We were kids. You were my first girlfriend…and I was your first. You know what I mean."

"No, Leo! I don't!"

Disorienting confusion washed over me. Everything felt unreal, as if I were trapped inside a bad dream.

"Okay," he said carefully. "What I mean is…the only experience we have — our only sexual experience — is with each other."

"Is that a bad thing? Is it not enough for you?"

I ran my hands over the periphery of my face while waiting for his response.

He didn't answer. His eyes looked filled with guilt, but there was no denial in them.

"You want to sleep with other women?"

"I am sorry, Liz," he admitted quietly, "I do."

"Am I not good enough?"

"No, Liz. You are." He hesitated, running a hand through his golden hair. "I'm just saying that neither of us knows anything else. Don't you feel like our relationship has become…stagnant?"

"No! Well…maybe a little… I don't know! I've never thought about it!"

"Maybe if we spend some time apart, we could try new things. Meet new people. And if we miss each other after that…" His voice softened. "Then we'll know we are truly meant to be together."

"I can't believe this, Leo!" I said through watery eyes.

"I don't want to hurt you. I just want to be honest. I feel like something is missing, and I don't think I can figure out what it is while we are still together."

I could hardly process what was happening. I loved him. God, I loved him so much! But I couldn't judge him for telling me the truth.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I took a deep breath. "Thank you," I said quietly. "Thank you for saying this instead of cheating on me." I forced a weak smile. "Well… I guess I have to start unpacking."

"No!" he said immediately. "Absolutely not. You are going on this vacation. This is your vacation. Call Kelly and ask her to come with you."

It was strange. And painfully ironic. He had just broken my heart, yet he was still trying to take care of me.

"I… I don't know," I murmured. "What about your father?"

"I can visit him anytime. Right now, what matters is that you feel okay."

Three months earlier, Leo had surprised me with the news that he was taking me on vacation to his father's new hotel. I had been so excited back then.

I had never met Leo's father. Mr. Slater lived in another city, and they rarely saw each other. Leo was the result of a one-night stand — a prom baby, as he liked to joke — but despite the distance, he and his father shared a solid bond.

"Please, Liz, go," Leo said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "I'll never forgive myself if I ruin your trip."

What about ruining my life? I thought, but aloud I said, "Okay. Thank you. I'll ask Kelly to come with me."

He kissed my forehead gently and walked out.

It wasn't until Leo left that I finally let the tears fall.

I cried. And cried.

I don't know how long it lasted — maybe until there were no tears left to give.

When I finally calmed down a little, I called Kelly. But the moment she picked up, I couldn't utter a word. Only a sob escaped my lips.

"Liz?" Her voice tightened with worry. "Are you crying?"

"No…um…yes…"

"What happened?"

"Leo and I broke up."

"What? How? Why?"

Three excellent questions.

"It seems he wants to sleep with other women," I said, and the tears started again.

"What?"

"What you heard."

"Did you punch him?"

I huffed through a sob. Only Kelly would react like that. "No, Kelly. He was honest with me. He stood in front of me and told me the truth. I respect that, no matter how much it hurts."

"Then I'll punch him for you!"

For a split second, a little smile tugged at my lips. That was a best friend.

"Thank you, Kells, but there is no need. I gave him my blessing. Everyone has the right to seek happiness."

"Oh, Liz..." She sighed. "You are such a good person. With the biggest heart in the world. You will meet someone who loves you and treats you the way you deserve."

I clung to her words, like a lifeline. Only Kelly could make me feel steadier when my whole world was falling apart. "Thank you. I don't have anything else left, unless to hope so."

"I am always here for you, Liz! You can count on me for anything."

"Speaking of, I wanted to ask if you would come with me on the trip tomorrow. I know it's last-minute, but Leo didn't cancel it, and he offered to go. I think getting away for a while might be good for me."

Kelly sighed. "Liz, I would love to, and I realize I just told you you can count on me for anything, and I mean it, but I can't miss work. I am sorry."

"It's okay, I understand. Well, looks like I'll be unpacking after all."

"Don't you dare!" Kelly snapped. "You are not skipping a free vacation at a luxury hotel just because you'll be alone. You said it yourself — this trip is about massages and relaxation. You need it now more than ever. And you don't need anyone for that. Go!"

"I don't know..."

"I do know! Although I hate Leo from the bottom of my heart right now, his offer is the least he can do for you. You deserve it!"

I pressed my lips softly. "You are right. I'll go. I guess I really do deserve a little pampering right now."

"That's my girl!"

After we hung up, I felt a little better. Not fully...not even close...but a little bit stronger, knowing my rock is on a phone call distance.

I would have survived this. Going on vacation alone. Being alone.

Being without Leo.

I had to learn to live without him.

The following morning, I woke up with swollen, reddish eyes. I couldn't tell how much I had slept; everything felt foggy. I remembered drifting off for short moments, only to wake again from restless dreams that blurred into one another.

My gaze fell on my suitcase, still standing by the door beside my bag, exactly where I had left it. And like frames in a filmstrip, my conversation with Leo replayed in my mind.

Unfortunately, that was not a nightmare.

That was my new reality.

With timid steps, I entered the bathroom.

"You can do this, Elizabeth," I whispered, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I splashed cold water onto my face, then lifted my chin. "You are strong."

I styled my hair into a casual side braid, slipped into light-blue jeans, a peach t-shirt, and my flat brown shoes, grabbed my suitcase, and headed for the airport.

Once on the plane, I settled into my seat and stared out the window, watching the world drift away beneath.

During the flight, my thoughts refused to quiet. I replayed everything Leo had said the day before, over and over again. I couldn't tell what hurt more — losing him or the thought that maybe he'd left me because I wasn't good enough in bed.

Both.

And now I realized that what I had believed in had only been true for me. For Leo, apparently, sex had mattered more than I had imagined.

So, the one-hour flight passed in a haze of doubts and self-pity.

After landing, I took a taxi straight to the hotel. The moment it came into view, a flicker of awe ran through me.

The building was massive and undeniably luxurious. Its glass-covered façade reflected the sky, and a bold sign crowning the top read: SLATER WELLNESS & SPA.

There was no tourism in our small town. Leo and my friends had stayed in cozy villas or modest hotels, but this…this was on a whole new level.

My heart pounded as I walked toward the entrance, and not even the grinding of my suitcase wheels against the polished tiles could drown it out.

Inside, the impression only deepened. The lobby was wide and airy, blending sleek modern lines with carefully chosen vintage accents. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, and its elegance stood out against the geometric shapes and minimalist furniture below.

Relief washed over me. This was the dreamy, long-awaited vacation I had imagined for so long. And despite coming with half a heart, I actually was glad I hadn't given up on it.

I made my way to the reception desk.

A young woman greeted me with a warm smile. "Good morning, Miss."

"Hello. My name is Elizabeth Turner. I have a reservation."

She looked at the monitor in front of her, typing quickly, then nodded. "Your room is ready. Here is your key card."

As she handed it to me, a low male voice spoke from behind.

"Hello, Elizabeth. I was expecting you."

I turned around.

A devilishly handsome man stood there with his hands tucked casually into his pockets. He wore blue jeans and a black shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms, the collar unbuttoned just enough to cause a sweat. Black aviator sunglasses hid his eyes, but his sharply defined jaw, dusted with stubble, framed a face that looked like it had stepped straight off a firefighters' calendar.

Butterflies exploded in my stomach, stealing my breath before I could even form a word.

"Mr. Slater?"