Vanessa's heart did that small, stupid stutter it always did when something didn't make sense but also didn't want to be questioned.
She stared at the screen longer than she meant to.
I miss you.
Who said things like that casually?
She reached for the phone before she could stop herself. The screen dimmed, then locked. She pressed the power button again, her thumb already hovering where his passcode used to be.
She typed it.
Wrong passcode.
Her breath caught.
She tried again. Same result.
A slow, creeping awareness slid into her chest. Not panic. Not fear. Just… confusion.
"Since when did Mark change his password?"
She told herself it meant nothing. People changed passwords all the time. Maybe his phone updated. Maybe she was remembering it wrong. Maybe—
The sound of running water stopped, and Vanessa's heart pounded in her chest. Mark was coming out of the bathroom, and she had no idea how to bring up the message she had seen on his phone.
She heard the bathroom door open, and she turned, her eyes meeting Mark's. He was freshly showered, his hair damp and his skin glowing. He smiled at her, his eyes filled with desire.
"Vanessa," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "You're still here."
She nodded, her throat dry. "I...I was waiting for you."
He crossed the room in two strides, his hands reaching for her, pulling her against him. His lips found hers, hot and demanding, and she melted into him, her body pressing against his. She could feel him, hard and ready, and she wanted him, needed him, more than she had ever needed anything.
Mark's hands roamed her body, tracing the curve of her waist, the swell of her breasts. He cupped them, his thumbs brushing against her nipples, making them harden. Vanessa moaned, her head falling back, giving him better access to her neck. He took advantage, his lips and teeth trailing down her throat, nipping at the sensitive skin.
"Mark," she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair. "Please."
He chuckled, a low, sexy sound that sent shivers down her spine. "What do you want, Vanessa?" he asked, his voice a low growl.
"You," she whispered, her eyes locked with his. "I want you."
He didn't need any more encouragement. He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down gently, his eyes never leaving hers. He pulled away his towel, his body revealed in all its glory. Vanessa bit her lip, her eyes widening as she took him in.
"Like what you see?" he asked, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
She nodded, her cheeks flushing. "Yes," she whispered. "Very much."
He crawled onto the bed, his body covering hers. He kissed her, his tongue exploring her mouth, his hands roaming her body. He slipped a hand between her legs, his fingers finding her wet and ready. He groaned, his body pressing against hers.
"You're so ready for me," he murmured, his voice filled with desire.
"Yes," she gasped, her hips moving against his hand. "Please, Mark. I need you."
He didn't need to be told twice. He positioned himself at her clits, his eyes locked with hers. "Are you sure, Vanessa?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse.
"Yes," she whispered, her fingers digging into his shoulders. "I'm sure."
He entered her slowly, inch by inch, his eyes never leaving hers. Vanessa gasped, her body stretching to accommodate him. He filled her completely, and she moaned, her hips moving against his.
"Mark," she gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair. "You feel so good."
He smiled, his hips moving in a slow, steady rhythm. "You feel amazing, Vanessa," he murmured, his voice filled with desire. "So tight, so wet."
Vanessa moaned, her body moving in time with his. She could feel the pressure building inside her, her body tensing as she got closer and closer to the edge. Mark's movements became faster, more urgent, his body slamming into hers.
"Cum for me, Vanessa," he growled, his voice filled with desire. "Come with me."
And she did. Her body convulsed, her orgasm ripping through her, leaving her breathless and trembling. Mark followed soon after, his body shuddering as he came inside her.
They collapsed on the bed, their bodies slick with sweat, their hearts pounding in their chests. Mark pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her. "I love you, Vanessa," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. "I'll never leave you."
She smiled, her body melting into his. "I love you too, Mark," she whispered. "I trust you."
She traced a line along his arm, gathering courage with every breath.
"Mark?" she said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"Are you… seeing someone else?"
He turned his head toward her immediately. No hesitation. No pause to think.
"What? No."
"Not even talking to anyone?"
"No." He frowned. "Why would you even ask that?"
She hesitated, then pushed through. "Your phone. A message came in earlier."
His brow creased, just slightly. "What message?"
She swallowed. "It said… 'I miss you. Hope you're safe.'"
He stared at her for a second longer than she liked.
Then he sighed. "Oh. That."
Her chest tightened. "That?"
"It's nothing, Vanessa." He shifted closer, cupping her face. "Seriously. A friend uses my account sometimes. He's been going through stuff."
"A friend says 'I miss you'?"
"Yes," he said easily. "People talk like that."
She searched his face for cracks. For guilt. For anything that didn't feel steady.
She found none.
"You know I wouldn't cheat on you," he added softly. "I'm not that guy."
She nodded. Because believing him felt better than imagining the alternative.
"I just…" She exhaled. "I don't want to look stupid."
"You're not." He kissed her hair. "You're just overthinking. You always do when you care too much."
She smiled weakly. That was always how it went. Her concern reframed as tenderness. Her instincts softened into flaws.
Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. He was tensed, his body pulling away from hers. Vanessa looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Who is it?" she asked, her voice soft.
Mark shook his head, his eyes filled with unease. "I don't know," he said, his voice tight. "It's an unknown number."
The phone rang again, and Mark refused to pick up, his body stiffening as he ignored it. Vanessa watched him, her heart pounding in her chest. Something was off, she could feel it. But she refused to believe it. Not after everything they had been through. Not after he had just made love to her, promising to stay.
The phone stopped ringing, and the room was silent for a moment. Then, Mark spoke up, his voice filled with sincerity. "I love you, Vanessa," he said, his eyes locked with hers. "I'll never hurt you."
And Vanessa, madly in love, believed him.