He kissed her slowly, deliberately, as if savoring each moment, coaxing a response from her guarded exterior.

Though Nicole had anticipated such actions, she struggled with the reality of her response, both physical and mental.

She struggled with her psychological response to Jarrod's advances, despising herself for reacting to him. She tried to reassure herself that her reactions were normal for any woman, that it was natural to respond physically even when the mind resisted. Particularly when this man employed every seductive tactic imaginable.

She was infuriated, questioning if he had spent years perfecting these methods. His actions were so precisely aimed at eliciting a response that it felt almost calculated, as if he knew exactly how to break through her defenses.

Jarrod strategically avoided her lips, instead focusing on areas less likely to provoke her resistance.

His hand moved from her wrist to her neck, firmly holding her in place. Then, his other hand began to wander beneath her towel.

Using all her strength to resist proved ineffectual.

Jarrod observed Nicole closely, her flushed face heightening her sense of vulnerability.

Faced with his intense, impassioned gaze, Nicole closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to see the look in his eyes any longer. This all felt like a charade.

Nicole tried to convince herself that they were merely satisfying a need, treating their interactions as nothing more than physical transactions.

Yet, Jarrod seemed intent on dismantling any such detachment, determined to shatter her composure completely. He crouched down...

The towel around Nicole slipped in the struggle...

Nicole's eyes widened, her body tensing as if turning to stone. Her fingers, pressed against the glass, clenched tightly, then stiffened.

Was he out of his mind? How could he... How could he act this way...

The mirror opposite them mirrored their outlines sharply.

The intensity of the moment, combined with a rush of unexpected sensations, pushed Nicole to the edge. Her heart pounded wildly, and she whispered a curse under her breath, "Jarrod, you're insane..."

Without warning, Jarrod lifted her and threw her onto the bed, his lips claiming hers in a forceful kiss.

Nicole's eyes shot open in shock. He had timed it perfectly, choosing the moment she was too overwhelmed to resist. Now, she felt powerless to push him away. But...

After a prolonged, fervent kiss, Nicole gasped for air and rebuked, “Jarrod, you're disgusting!"

"Are you saying you're disgusting too?" Jarrod replied, amusement sparkling in his eyes, clearly enjoying the moment.