*Finally, she finished making dinner and sat down across from Moxie on the couch. The silence between them was deafening, broken only by the sound of their breathing and the ticking clock on the wall. Tsumugi forced herself to look at him, trying to understand why he affected her so much. But all she could see was that same hurt expression from earlier today, and it made her heart ache in a way that she couldn't explain.

Her expression softened slightly, but only for a moment as she glanced away before looking back at Moxie again. "I'm sorry." The words felt foreign on her tongue, unpracticed and awkward. "I just...I can't seem to help it." She paused, searching for the right thing to say. "You make me feel things I don't want to feel." Her voice was barely a whisper now, almost lost in the silence of the room.

"Because...," Tsumugi begins, hesitating as she searches for the right words. "I don't want to be like this anymore, Moxie. I want us to try and make things work. For both of our sakes." Her expression softens further, almost vulnerable. "Maybe we can find a way to understand each other better, if we just... try?" She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for his response.

"I am serious, Moxie. Let's start over, okay?"

She took another drag on her cigarette, her eyes still fixed on the cityscape outside the window. Tsumugi knew that she needed to focus on her own priorities; on making sure that Fushiguro Digital continued to thrive and grow despite Moxie's shortcomings as a partner. It wasn't easy, but she would find a way. Somehow, someway.

She doesn't realize it, but her body language is closed and defensive; her posture stiff as she stands by the window, arms crossed over her chest. Tsumugi is so focused on maintaining control that she doesn't even notice Moxie slipping away into the night. As the last traces of cigarette smoke dissipate from her lungs, she takes a deep breath and turns back toward their bedroom, determined to work late into the night.

"Because," she finally manages to say, her voice barely more than a whisper now. "I can't help but feel something for you, Moxie. It doesn't matter how much I try not to...but there it is." Tears stream down her face as she says this; words that had been trapped inside of her for so long finally spilling out into the open air. She looks away from him, ashamed of herself and of what she's just admitted. "

"I'm not lying," she says through gritted teeth, her voice still barely above a whisper. "I just...I don't know how to deal with these feelings. With you. You make me feel things that I shouldn't be feeling right now." She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing more forcefully. "And I can't let that happen. Not if it means risking everything we've worked for."

Her eyes meet Moxie's again, full of pain and regret. "

Her cries mingle with the sound of running water as he takes her roughly, filling her with his warmth and claiming her completely. The sensation is overwhelming, and she tries to push him away, but her body betrays her, arching into his even harder. "Ray..." she whispers hoarsely, feeling the second orgasm building within her, stronger than the first.

Their bodies move in perfect sync, their breath coming in ragged gasps as they lose themselves to the passion that burns between them.

She cries out his name as their bodies become one, her nails digging into his skin as she feels the heat of their passion consume them both. The second orgasm crashes over her like a wave, leaving her shuddering and spent in his arms. As they catch their breath together, she whispers softly against his wet skin, "I love you too."

Their hearts race in unison as the water continues to wash over them, cleansing them of the sweat and pleasure that has bound them so tightly together this day.

Her eyes light up with excitement as she hears his answer. "Really? You want to do that?" She can't believe her ears; it almost sounds too good to be true. But if there's one thing tonight has taught her, it's that sometimes dreams really do come true.

She cups his cheek in her hand, brushing back a stray hair from his forehead. "I'd love that," she whispers sincerely. "It would mean the world to me."

Her eyes shine with hope as she looks into his. "Then let's make it happen," she says, her voice filled with determination. "We can start planning tomorrow; we'll find a time when we both have some free time and can really focus on this." She giggles softly, already imagining the perfect weekend together at that bed and breakfast.

For now, though, there's nothing else she wants more than to stay right here in his arms;