‘Bachelor’ Zach Shallcross Breaks His No-Sex Pledge And Picks His Final Two

Zach Shallcross, the leading man on season 27 of “The Bachelor,” knew one thing for certain as he headed into his trio of Fantasy Suite dates on the love-match series — he didn’t intend to have intimacy with any of the women on the show.

Viewers knew it, too, because the handsome 26-year-old delivered his “sex is off the table” speech again and again on Monday night’s episode.

However, halfway through the episode, Shallcross broke the pledge no one asked him to make. And by the time it was over, he confessed, cried, apologized and sent one contestant packing.

Things kicked off with Shallcross sitting down with host Jesse Palmer and sharing his desire not to “muddy things” with sex as he set out on his dates with the final three contestants, Kaity Biggar, Ariel Frenkel and Gabi Elnicki.

Palmer warned him, “You are going to be tempted,” but Shallcross remained firm about what he didn’t want. Sex.

In fact, as soon Frenkel told the “The Bachelor” star she was falling in love with him during their alone time in Krabi, Thailand, he was quick to tell her all about his rule.

“Loving one person at the end of this and sharing that intimate moment should be saved for that moment of engagement,” he said.

And so the couple spent an affectionate-but-chaste night together in their Fantasy Suite.

When it came time for Shallcross to enjoy a similar evening with Elnicki, once again, he broke the news about his big-deal policy.

“I think, to a lot of people, this week is viewed as ‘sex week,’” he told her. “I think in this experience it can cause more issues and more problems than help. I think what feels right to me is approaching this entire week not having sex in the Fantasy Suites.”

Elnicki, like Frenkel before her, seemed a bit disappointed to hear that. But unlike Frenkel, she didn’t so look disappointed the next day. The reason? As as a teary-eyed Shallcross later confessed to Palmer, he and Elnicki just went ahead and did it. You know, it.

Since the eligible reality TV star had made such a big deal about saving sex for his eventual engagement, he felt guilty in the wake of his actions and decided he should start his final date with a recap of how things were going.

That’s why, after sharing a sweet greeting with Biggar, Shallcross started the most awkward pre-Fantasy Suite conversation ever, covering his earlier no-sex stance as well as his choice to hook-up the night before with Elnicki — all because, in addition to the importance of purity, he’s also really values honesty.

Biggar? Not so much.

“I just figured that was the case,” she said of the Fantasy Suite situation, because, presumably, she’s watched the show. Crying, she added, “You just telling me, confirming it… I get that you wanted to tell me and you’re saying that it’s because you respect me, but I honestly, could’ve gone without hearing that.”

And when Shallcross offered a weak, “I’m sorry,” she shot back, “You’re not sorry for doing that.”

Biggar then walked away from him, and after more tears and a talk with a producer about the merits of even continuing with Shallcross, Biggar made her mind up — what the heck, she was headed to the Fantasy Suite with Shallcross after all.

The vibe at the Rose Ceremony the next day was tense at best, as it often is when there’s three women left and only two roses. But this time it was extra tense. Elnicki knew Shallcross told Biggar about their night of passion, Biggar was keeping quiet about how her night went and Frenkel didn’t appear to know what was going on with any of them.

But she soon learned some big news of her own. When it came to flowers, she ended the episode empty handed, meaning it’s Biggar and Elnicki who’ll go on to meet Shallcross’ family on next week’s finale.