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..."

she murmured, her

you?" Frank's honesty was disarming, his

excitement, like she was falling in love for the first time. She didn't answer, simply closing her eyes,

nothing happened. After a long pause, she opened her eyes and saw Frank looking at

didn't you kiss me?" she asked

said sheepishly. Frank could be so endearing at times and utterly clueless at

"You're such an idiot." She leaned forward and kissed him instead, taking the lead. His kisses were unpracticed

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

kiss deepened, and Ivy could feel the tension building between them. Frank, ever the gentleman, hesitated, his hands resting

stifled a laugh. He's hopeless, she thought to herself, amused

a fire within him. His breathing grew ragged,

stammered, "I just took

she replied, her

very clean," he added, as

the fresh scent of soap on him,

him flustered, his honesty making him an easy target for

Is that okay?" His face turned an even deeper shade of

affection. He wanted her, but

want to do?" she teased, pretending not

night," he

with amusement. "Tell me, Frank. Do you mean telling stories?"

Watching stars on the

he said, flipping her onto

She looked up at him, his bronze skin glowing

every muscle on

he asked again, his voice

blurted out, catching

"What?"