Thanks for all the positive reviews. They are really encouraging, especially since this is my first fanfic. Please, if you have any idea how I can improve, feel free to write it. I'm all ears. Plus, if any of you know how to change the rating of a story, can you please let me know? Slight spoiler, I'm going with something bold.

If all the world and love were young,
And truth in every shepherd's tongue,
These pretty pleasures might me move
To live with thee and be thy love.

-Walter Raleigh

Jem stared intently into Tessa's eyes. Then, he gestured Tessa to "come here". Tessa willingly obliged.

Jem closed the door silently behind Tessa.

"Come, sit down. We haven't gotten to talk for so long," Jem said, taking her hands and pulling lightly her towards the bed.

"Sure," Tessa answered, trying to calm the quiver in her voice. What would they talk about, Tessa wondered, and she shifted nervously in her position.

Naturally picking her sign of nervousness, Jem asked, "Are you quite alright, Tessa? Is the preparation of the wedding giving you grief? If that's true, please do tell me. As your groom-to-be, I wish to share your burden."

Jem was ever so kind that Tessa had to shake her head in response.

Then slowly collecting her mind, she said, "There isn't much to do, now that the dress has been picked, the invitations sent out, and…" Tessa counted in her head the list of things to do.

"Well, I trust the wedding is in good hands," Jem briefly summarized, and waited for Tessa to reply, but she has already ran out of words.

"So… um… then…hmm… Let me put it this way, why do you still look so troubled? Is everything all right?"

That snapped Tessa back into attention, and she quickly responded, "Yes, of course. There's nothing wrong, nothing really. Why did you ask?"

"Quite frankly, I have been noticing that adorable frown on you for a while. Are you sure you are fine?" Jem asked skeptically.

"Yes, yes. I am as fine as ever." She hoped she was as convincing as she thought she was, but she was not.

"Don't lie to me, Tessa! I know there must be something out of place. I know it! I can see it in your eyes you are lying," Jem shouted. His eyes were shining a strange light.

"Wait, Jem. How much of your drug did you take this evening?" Tessa asked in concern.

"Do NOT try to change the subject!" Jem exclaimed. Taking her chin with force, he pulled her face near his. "You smell like alcohol. Do not try to deny it."

Tessa raised both her hands to protest, but it was in vain.

"Do you know how hard it is to love you? You are always so mysterious, that I can't even be sure what you have been up to!"

"Well, you know for a fact that I love you." Tessa whispered.

Jem increased the tension on his hand on Tessa's chin, and pressed his lips hard on hers.

Kissing Jem was a different sensation from kissing Will. Tessa could not help but notice that while kissing Will was like a wild fire, untamable and dangerous, kissing Jem was like a gust of wind, not without tension, but less heat and more dream-like. She chanted in her mind, don't think about Will, don't think about Will.

Slowly, Jem's hand travelled up Tessa's back. It was soothing, and Tessa felt like giving in to his touch. And what was the harm? Tessa thought. She was about to marry him anyways. What was the difference in a few weeks? Besides, it was for the better. That way she could completely take her mind off Will. There was no point in thinking of something that will not have hope, she thought to herself. Something about her aunt Harriet flashed crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

Gritting her teeth, Tessa jerked Jem closer and tried to take off his shirt awkwardly. He held her bands briefly, as if to say, let me. So she sat obediently, and simply setting her mind to continue kissing him.

Jem tore off his shirt, but took her dress off agonizingly slowly. Looking down at her soft bare body, Jem hesitated for a while, as if remembering that it was not what he would normally do. Indeed, normal Jem would not have a temper; normal Jem would not grab Tessa by her chin; and normal Jem would have never agreed to do it before their marriage. But this was Jem under the influence of Yinfen. Nothing was normal.

That night, Tessa finally felt what her novels would describe as, "over the heavens". It was no pleasure that she had felt before. It was a different kind, like a mixture between ecstasy and something that has buried deep in their consciousness. Soon, they fell asleep, feeling blissful.

Bang, bang, bang. The sound startled Tessa, and woke her up.

"Miss Gray? Please open the door," a familiar voice said, and Tessa was in big trouble.