Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Sheila nursed her half glass of wine, sipping slowly, but somehow managed to keep Timothy company until he'd polished off the entire bottle of red.

A pleasant haze of tipsiness clouded her senses as Timothy lit a cigarette. The way he smoked—lazy, assured—cast him in an even more enigmatic and irresistible light, the pale smoke curling around his sharp features.

Sheila's heart fluttered uncontrollably. Tonight, she told herself, he would be hers.

Jessica, that mute girl—she'd managed to seduce Timothy in bed, hadn't she? Sheila refused to believe she could be any less alluring than Jessica.

After tonight, she'd make sure Timothy would never forget her.

Thinking back over the past few weeks, Sheila felt her cheeks flush. Night after night, she'd watched romantic movies, studying every move and trick, determined to be perfect when the time finally came.

She and Timothy were the same age-old enough to understand desire. Even when the longing gnawed at her, she'd always kept her distance, saving herself for the only man she truly loved.

But lately, her late-night lessons only fueled her hunger, leaving her restless and aching.

And now, the man she wanted was right in front of her.

The gnawing emptiness inside was nearly unbearable.

She wanted him-desperately.

She remembered the day he'd left Jessica with a split lip. He must be even more intense than those actors on screen.

Timothy smoked his cigarette down to the filter, but it did nothing to quell the restless heat that burned through his veins.

needed to go home. He always felt his needs more acutely after

for days now, and the pent-up frustration

and roughened by alcohol, sounded

he took a step, his legs nearly buckled

had too much. You can't drive. Let me call a

he shouldn't drive. And he'd forgotten to ask Secretary Allen to pick

but to call for

you some strong tea. It'll help clear your

"Thanks," he murmured.

tea, Sheila made sure to add a generous amount of the special herbal mixture. She'd only slipped a tiny bit into the wine earlier Timothy was used to drinking at business functions, and she

had a way of loosening inhibitions-a perfect prelude

tea to Timothy. "Drink this slowly. I'll

too, when their desires went

strong tea, hoping it would help suppress the urge

If anything, his mind

slipped away to take a shower. She'd once lived in The Gilded

and lotions

stashed in the

silk camisole

on the sofa, eyes closed,

saying nothing, and gently dabbed at the sweat on his