Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“How was it, seeing her again?”
I wring my hands together. “Good.”
“Just good?”
I exhale, disappointed in myself. “Too good.”
“It’s still there between you?” He scribbles something down on his notepad. “What is her name?”
“Alora.”
“What happened when you and Alora saw each other?”
I puff air into my cheeks. “I stole her for a moment away from her partner and took her upstairs and we kissed.”
“Okay.” He watches me as he listens. “So she is also in a relationship?”
“Yes.”
“Married?”
“No.”
“Have you seen her since?”
“I have.”
“What happened?”
“I was mentoring her.” I shrug. “Strictly professional, of course.”
“May I ask, if you wanted to remain strictly professional, why you would offer to mentor someone that you are sexually attracted to?”
I stare at him but remain silent.
“Would you consider entering a relationship with this woman?” he asks.
“No.”
“Why not?”
I screw my hands together as I contemplate my answer.
“This is a safe place, Edward; you came to talk this through, so let’s talk this through.”
“I just don’t understand how I can feel more attached to her than I do to a woman who I’ve been with for over twelve months.”
“You feel an emotional attachment to Alora?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t make sense….” My voice trails off. “It was one weekend of sex. It meant nothing.”
“It makes a lot of sense, actually. This is physiology.” He swings on his chair as his eyes hold mine. “Forgotten memories shape our behavior, Edward. Our bodies keep score.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your body is just doing its job.”
“Speak fucking English,” I snap.
“When we as humans have a heightened sexual experience, our brains release a hormone called oxytocin. Have you heard of that before?”
“I’ve heard of oxytocin but….”
“Do you know what it does?”
“Makes you happy.” I shrug. “I guess.”
“It’s a bonding hormone.” He writes something down and underlines it. “When you and Alora spent the weekend together, I’m assuming the sexual compatibility between the two of you was heightened?”
“Yes.” I twist my hands as I listen. “Very much so.”
“If the orgasms were extremely strong and over an extended period of time, then your body would have released a huge amount of oxytocin into your bloodstream.”
“So?”
“Oxytocin, often called the love hormone, plays a crucial role in bonding with a mate by promoting feelings of trust, affection, and attachment. It’s released during physical affection like hugging, kissing, and sexual activity, strengthening the emotional connection between partners. Oxytocin also enhances empathy, communication, and positive relationship memories, contributing to the maintenance of long-term bonds.”
I sit back, disgusted.
“The interesting thing is that she would have had it released into her bloodstream too.”
I frown as my eyes hold his. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that whatever confusion you are feeling right now is probably being mirrored in Alora’s life.”
I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.
“I don’t care what’s going on in her life,” I snap. “Why would I?”
“Is that so?” he asks. “Are you sure about that?”
We stare at each other for a moment.
I hate this fucking guy….
“I have to go.” I stand.
“Sit down, I haven’t finished.” He points to the chair.
“Hurry up about it,” I snap impatiently as I sit back down. “Because I have.”
“Is it true that you have been coming to me for a long time because of your inability to form emotional attachments to the women you spend time with?”
I twist my lips, annoyed. “Yes.”
“And now that you have found one, are you really going to walk away from it?”
“My point exactly, I shouldn’t have one. Do you listen to me at all? That is why I am here; I want you to erase it. This is a huge overreaction; it was three days and a very long time ago.”
“And yet she has you completely rattled.”
“No she doesn’t.” I stand. “As usual, I’ve got nothing from our visit.” I walk to the door. “This was pointless.”
“Will you be flying to London to see me again next week?” He smirks.
Sarcastic asshole.
“Absolutely not.”
He smiles as he writes on his stupid notepad. “We’ll see.”
I storm out through reception.
“Would you like another appointment?” the receptionist asks.
“No.” I march past her and open the door.
“Should I call you later to discuss?”
“Don’t bother.”
ALORA
I shuffle through my pile of mail.
Sender…
Royal Scholarship Institute.
What?
I tear it open.
Dearest Alora,
We value your sponsorship and would like to extend an invitation for you and a friend to attend.
THE MOON AND THE SEA
An art exhibition with heart.
Two gold tickets slide out and fall onto the floor and I bend and pick them up.
“What’s that?” Helene frowns as she walks into my office.
“Not quite a swingers party.” I shrug as I hold up the tickets. “We’ve been invited to an art exhibition.”
“Hmm.” She twists her lips. “Sounds extraordinarily dull.”
“But it’s a night out.” I shuffle the gold tickets.
“I guess.” She sighs. “But if they serve bad wine we are leaving immediately.”
“Deal.”
EDWARD
THREE WEEKS LATER.
I readjust my earphones so I can watch the video on my phone.