Ben and Shelley sat in the comfortable interior of his car, merging onto the highway that would take them out of the bustling city. The skyline faded into the distance, leaving behind the noise and chaos that had recently consumed Shelley's life. Just days ago, David had suggested to Ben that taking Shelley away for a few days might do her good. He had proposed that they visit her parents, believing the change of scenery and the warmth of family could help soothe her troubled mind. It was a plan that matched their intentions anyway, as they had always wanted to spend some quality time with her family.

As they drove along the highway, Shelley gazed out of the window, her expression distant and contemplative. The scenery outside shifted from towering buildings to open fields, but her thoughts were far from the picturesque view. The past few days had weighed heavily on her, leaving her uneasy and hyper-vigilant. Several times, she had left her house only to find herself glancing over her shoulder, haunted by the fear that Nathan might be lurking close by, ready to strike. This anxiety had affected every aspect of her life, even creeping into her work at the hospital. The new doctor she worked alongside, noticing her unrest, had recommended that she take a leave of absence to recuperate and regain her stability.

When David suggested the idea of visiting her parents with Ben, it felt like a lifeline chance to escape her worries and connect with the people who cared for her unconditionally. She welcomed the suggestion with open arms, eager for a break from the suffocation of her recent experiences.

Now, sitting next to Ben, the man who had stood by her side through thick and thin, she felt a flicker of hope. They were on their way to her parents' house, a place filled with love and security. Shelley had already called ahead to let her parents know they would be visiting, and she could picture the smiles that would greet them upon arrival. The thought brought a small sense of comfort, overshadowed by the uncertainty that still lingered in her heart. Despite the heaviness of her circumstances, there was a sliver of anticipation in the air, and she hoped that the visit would help her find some semblance of peace.

As the clock struck 10:00 p.m., Ben pulled up to the familiar charm of the Dickson family home, a warm glow lighting the windows. He and Shelley stepped inside, greeted by the welcoming smiles of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson. The late hour called for rest, and they were gently ushered to their respective rooms.

Mrs Julia Dickson, with her nurturing demeanour, broke the silence, "I'm sure both of you must be tired after your trip. It's late, so I've prepared your rooms." She glances between the two. "Since you two are dating but not married yet, Shelley, you'll be in your room, and Adam, you'll take Sam's room."

Mr. Dickson, sensing the tension, couldn't hold back. "Oh come on, Julia! Which century are you living in? Give these two a chance to be together. Who's to say they aren't already..." His words trailed off with a cheeky grin.

Mrs. Dickson shot back, her voice firm yet playful, "They're under my roof, and in my century, they'll follow my rules!"

Mr. Dickson raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling, "Whatever you say, dear. You're the boss."

Ben watched this delightful exchange, unable to suppress a smile. Their lively banter filled him with warmth, and he found Mrs. Julia's old-fashioned notions about chastity amusing.

Once settled, Ben dropped his bag in his room before helping Shelley with her luggage, their shared laughter echoing through the cosy house. The evening promised an adventure, and he couldn't wait to see what the next few days would bring.

Once inside Shelley's room, Ben couldn't help but be captivated by the simple yet charming décor. The walls, painted in soft turquoise, harmonized beautifully with the neatly arranged bedsheets spread across the bed.

"Nice room," he remarked, admiring the ambience. After dropping her luggage on the bed, he leaned down to plant a gentle good-night kiss on her forehead, before heading towards the door.

But just before he could reach the door, Shelley playfully stepped into his path, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. "Where do you think you're going?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

With an arched eyebrow, Ben watched as she sauntered closer, trailing her fingers along his chest. "I'm heading to my room. Your mom made it clear we shouldn't share," he reminded her, trying to maintain his resolve.

Shelley let out a soft laugh, her voice light and inviting, "Who said anything about sharing? I'm just showing you to my room," she said, her arms winding around his neck.

Before he could respond, she pulled him in and their lips met in a slow, fiery kiss. The world around them faded away as they stumbled backwards onto the bed, Shelley landing atop him, their kisses echoing like a sweet melody in the cosy room.

"Shelley, we really shouldn't go down this road," he cautions, his voice laced with desire.

Shelley leaned in closer, her lips brushing against Ben's as she teasingly whispered, "But we are already doing this," her voice filled with playful mischief. She deepened the kiss, her warmth enveloping him like a soft blanket, and he couldn't help but groan in response, the sound escaping his lips before he could hold it back. A surge of desire bubbled within him, stronger than he had anticipated-a longing that coursed through his veins like wildfire. Things did not unfold as he had expected. He was completely unaware of Shelley's mischievous side during her moments of excitement. He knew he needed to find a way to put a stop to this before it escalated further.

In the next room, the muffled moan from Shelley's room sent a ripple of concern through Mr. and Mrs. Dickson. Just as Mrs Julia was about to spring into action, her husband playfully trapped her between his legs on the bed. "Let those kids be; you can stay with me for now," he declared with a teasing grin. Mrs Julia couldn't help but chuckle at her husband's whimsical antics, finding comfort in his lightheartedness amidst the tension.

Each passionate kiss exchanged between Shelley and Ben deepened the flames of their desire, igniting a vulnerability that neither had fully anticipated. Ben, lost in the moment, tenderly caressed Shelley's soft curves, his fingertips tracing along her posterior, prompting a delicate sound of pleasure to escape her lips. The intimacy of the moment enveloped them, but the reality of their surroundings suddenly broke through Ben's reverie. Roused from the haze of desire, he gently manoeuvred Shelley to her side, "Shelley, this is wrong! We can't do this here, in your parent's house. It's so impolite!" Ben protested, eyeing their surroundings with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

"But we're in my room," Shelley replied, her voice tinged with exasperation. She let out a dramatic sigh as if that made all the difference. "I promise I'll be super quiet."

Ben couldn't help but chuckle at her determination. "We both agreed to take things slow, and we will," he reminded her, his grin unapologetic.

Shelley realized arguing with him was futile; once Ben made up his mind, it was set in stone. Leaning closer, she pressed her face against his neck, her voice dropping to a whisper. "How many girlfriends have you had, anyway?"

Ben laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, I've dated plenty of women, but none of them have ever been my girlfriend."

Shelley stepped back, taken aback, and studied him carefully. "Wait, so what were those relationships really about?" she asked, curiosity etched on her face.

"Well..." Ben mused, his fingers thoughtfully tapping against his chin as he gazed into the distance. The wheels of his mind turned as he considered the situation. "They weren't friends, so it can't really be considered friends with benefits. It's more like strangers with benefits-two people only crossing paths for a fleeting connection."

"What?"

Recognizing the worry in her voice, Ben quickly rushes to clarify his statement.

"Shelley, just take a breath. Let me explain. This decision came at a particularly dark time in my life. Back in college, I was blindsided by the revelation of my mom's abuse at the hands of my dad. The realization that I had failed to see it sooner filled me with self-loathing. I was spiralling, feeling like a complete mess, and I knew I had to channel that anger somehow.

So, one night, I found myself in a pub, hoping to drown my frustration in alcohol. As I sat there, nursing my drink, a woman caught my eye. She was staring right at me, and it was as if she could see straight into my soul. At that moment, an unspoken pact formed between us. She knew my name and my family's history, and somehow, I understood her desires, too.

I proposed that I'd spend the night with her if it meant I could briefly escape the weight of my problems. She agreed.

Shelley listened with astonishment. Her question was, "So you had sex with her?"

"No!" was Ben's response. "Instead, we engaged in other pursuits."

"Like what?" She inquired, her curiosity piqued. He leaned in slightly, a playful grin on his face. "Oh, you know... things," he replied.

"No, I don't know," Shelley said, her voice laced with uncertainty. Ben's eyes widened in disbelief. "Well, I guess I have my work cut out for me when we tie the knot, huh?"

A rush of colour crept across Shelley's cheeks. "We could always start early since it's not exactly sex."

Without a word, Ben stood up and stepped away from the bed. "No way! Let's savour this time while we can. Trust me, enjoy this freedom now, because once I have you bound to me in the eyes of God, I plan on leaving you breathless for days."

With a mischievous grin, he strolled out of the room, leaving Shelley alone in the lingering silence. She sank back onto the bed, her gaze locked on the ceiling as his bold words echoed in her mind, stirring a mix of excitement and anticipation.