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grabbed Jen’s elbow and they turned away, leaving Bastien alone.
    Once they reached a safe distance, Jennifer grabbed Bruce’s wrist. He was squeezing her arm so hard that the blood couldn’t reach her fingers. Her hand felt numb.
    “Baby, it hurts,” she said.
    He didn’t say a word and released her. His face was dark. He was frowning and his lips were pressed in a hard line. She knew what he was thinking.
    “Honey, we don’t have to do it. We can go back to the yacht now and forget about it,” she said as she took his hand.
    Bruce kept silent. His jaw was clenched and he closed his eyes. Jen immediately regretted everything. This whole idea was stupid. She felt stupid for pushing him to that extreme.
    “Baby, look at me,” she said, taking his chin in her hand. “I’m still yours. And I will always be yours. I’m sorry. It was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever asked you and I’ll never do it again. Please, look at me.”
    Bruce’s chest was heaving up and down. He was struggling to calm down but finally, he looked her in the eyes.
    “I can’t do it,” he whispered. “I can’t let do you that, Jen. It’s impossible!”
    “I know. I know, don’t worry. It’s my fault. I’m such a bad wife. I feel so dirty right now. I shouldn’t be so naughty...”
    “You don’t get it. I love it when you’re naughty. I fucking love it! But you belong to me. I’ve always fought for what I want, and I can’t let some stupid guy touch you. They don’t deserve it. They don’t deserve you. They didn’t fight to be with you. I did!”
    Jennifer stared at him in astonishment. She had never seen him so emotional; so passionate. And so damn sexy. He had never opened up like this before. She knew that he loved her, but he’d always been so contained and measured. His business persona had never really allowed her to see underneath the toughness.
    Tonight, though, he seemed to be a different man. It wasn’t the Bruce she used to know. He had spoken from his heart, with his guts. He had never been more genuine and authentic during their entire relationship.
    “Baby, calm down,” she said. “I won’t go anywhere and nobody is going to touch me. Ever. I promise.”
    “I want to be perfect. I’ve always been the best. I’ve always been a winner in business and I want to be the best as your husband. But this... this is too much for me. I can’t give you what you want, Jen.”
    Jennifer bit her lips. Now it made sense. Bruce didn’t really agree to let her explore her fantasies: he didn’t want to look bad.
    “You never really wanted me to do it, right?” she said softly.
    He shook his head and a tear dropped on the sand. “I thought I could handle it. I thought I’d be strong enough and allow you to be happy.”
    “But I am happy. You don’t need to do things you despise for me. I am already a happy woman. Bruce, look at me. I mean it. This sexual fantasy, it’s just... it’s a fantasy! It doesn’t have to become a reality. I already live a dream. I don’t need more.”
    “I hate myself for looking weak in front of you. Now, you’re probably trying to make me feel better but you must be terribly disappointed.”
    Jennifer shrugged. Yes, a part of her was still wondering what could have happened. She would probably never know, but was it worth the sacrifice? Absolutely.
    “I’m not lying to you. I mean it. I guess, sometimes we just need to draw a line between reality and fantasy. I’ve been living every girl’s fantasy since I’m with you. I probably lost sight of what really matters to me. But now, I know. I forgot to respect you as my husband. You knew what I wanted to hear so you just pretended to be okay. I didn’t think twice. I didn’t really care about your feelings. It was my fault and I apologize.”
    Bruce looked at the stars and sighed. “People have criticized me for years for being a control freak. My business was everything to me. Now that I sold it, I realized that I could