Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

After waiting for two hours, Frank finally returned. When he pushed the door open, Ivy was taken aback.

"Frank, you're back?" she said, her voice filled with surprise.

Frank smiled as he stepped into the room. "What? Don't recognize me?" he teased, walking toward her.

Ivy stared at the man before her. The rugged, scruffy image she had grown used to was gone. His once long and messy beard was shaved clean, and his hair was cropped short.

Without the beard, Frank looked like a completely different person. His bold, chiselled features became strikingly apparent. Even though his clothes were plain and old- fashioned, bought from the small village, he looked refreshingly handsome.

"Your beard... where did it go?" she asked, still stunned.

"I shaved it. I couldn't meet your family looking like a mess, could I? I figured I should clean myself up. Don't you think it looks better?"

Ivy chuckled. "If you'd looked like this from the start, I never would've called you 'old man."" She couldn't help but think of Justin, who had also looked like a different person after shaving and cutting his hair.

"What kind of look do you prefer?" Frank asked, his voice soft.

"It doesn't matter," Ivy replied, her tone warm. "As long as it's you, I'll love it all." She reached up and touched his face. She wasn't used to this smoothness-before, his beard would always prick her skin during kisses.

"Ivy, I'm exhausted," Frank admitted, his voice heavy. "I need some sleep." He looked drained, and the redness in his eyes made her heart ache.

"Alright," she said gently. "Come inside and rest." She took his hand and led him to the bed she had been using these past few days.

The moment Frank's head hit the pillow, he was ready to fall asleep. Ivy decided to join him for a nap. After all, their relationship was no longer uncertain; they'd already crossed that line of intimacy. It didn't feel strange to lie beside him now.

"Sleep," she whispered, resting her head against his chest.

Unlike her time with Mio, where lying in bed together always felt distant and awkward, Frank's presence was grounding. Mio had never held her close, and she'd been too nervous to touch him. With Frank, it was different. She wanted to lean into him, to feel his warmth.

Frank stiffened slightly at her touch, and she guessed he was remembering that passionate night they'd shared.

"Ivy..."

murmured,

I kiss you?" Frank's honesty was disarming, his shy nature

like she was falling in love for the first time. She didn't

a long pause, she opened her eyes and saw Frank looking

didn't you kiss me?" she

he said sheepishly. Frank could be

burst out laughing. "You're such an idiot." She leaned forward and kissed him instead, taking the lead. His

with women, but kissing was something he had never done before Ivy. That

feel the tension building between them. Frank, ever the gentleman, hesitated, his hands resting

He's hopeless, she thought to herself, amused by his

a fire within him. His breathing grew ragged,

stammered, "I just

she replied, her lips curling into

very clean," he added, as if

scent of soap on him, crisp and

ignorance. She enjoyed seeing him flustered, his honesty making him an

something. With you. Is that okay?" His face turned an even deeper shade of red as he spoke,

affection. He wanted her,

want to do?" she teased, pretending

thing we did... that night," he mumbled, his

"Tell me, Frank.

stars on the deck like we did last

looking both embarrassed and determined. "This," he said, flipping her onto her back in one swift

She looked up at him, his bronze skin

every muscle on his body

he asked again, his

blurted out,

"What?"