Her nerves were shot, her heart pounding. What the fuck was she thinking letting him follow her home? The threat from the weekend prior loomed over her. It was hard to admit, but she was frightened—for him, for her—and for her heart. Alex was right. She was fighting, but it was no longer clear for what.

The visitor parking was near the door, while her parking place was next to the elevator. As she got out of her Lexus, he was already strolling over toward her, hands in the pockets of his jeans. Casual, sexual, gorgeous; like he wasn’t even aware of the effect he had on her. His eyes devoured her and she trembled.

Jesus, God, help me.

Her throat tightened as his arms slid around her loosely, and his scent saturated the air.

“Alex…” It fell from her lips without her consent as her hands wrapped around his strong forearms.

“Mmm, huh?” Warm and damp, his lips gently brushed her temple and then parted, his breath washing over her skin. As hot as Chicago was, and humid as hell, this type of heat was wanted, craved. “You smell just like I remember.” His nose brushed the side of her neck behind her ear. “Absolutely wonderful.”

She smiled softly in the dimly lit space as his lips meandered down her cheek to her jaw, softly sucking with each little kiss. It was heaven. She leaned into him; afraid her legs would no longer support her as all thoughts of pushing him away or making him leave, vanished.

“I was just thinking that you smelled amazing, too.”

His hands cupped her face, tilting her head as his mouth settled on hers, a low groan erupting. The kiss was gentle, searching, and her lips parted under his, wanting more, the tip of her tongue sneaking out to flick against his top lip. He pulled her lower one between both of his.

“You should sleep,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Fuck sleeping. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

“Aren’t you tired?” Her hands slid up his chest, her fingers kneading at the muscles under his shirt.

“Not too tired to touch you.” He dragged his mouth from her temple, leaving a trail of kisses back toward hers.

“Then come inside.”

“Angel, you’ll be the death of me.”

“Just come.”

“Unnnggg. Stop saying cum.” His voice was low and feral. Angel’s body flooded with heat, and she pressed her forehead into the smooth skin on his cheek. She knew she was done.

“It’s so late. I have plenty of room.”

“In your bed or the room you keep for Becca?”

“Wherever you want.”

“I want your scent.”

“Okay.” His arms tightened as his mouth moved in slow deliberation against the smooth cord of her neck. Angel shivered again.

“You know what will happen.”

She nodded. “I want it to happen.”

Blood surged at her words, filling him further, and he groaned as his hand wound in her chestnut waves. It was like silken water, falling through his hands, and he gasped at it again, his mouth hovering over hers.

“I’m trying not to reinforce your low opinion of me, yet you seem determined to undermine my effort. You’ll think I’m a cad if I give in to this.”

“No, I won’t. Besides, you’re exhausted. You shouldn’t drive.” Her chin rose, her mouth seeking to find his in a kiss. His mouth played with hers, noses brushing and nuzzling, hands grasping at the silk and cotton covering over-sensitive flesh.

My apartment is 5 minutes from here and I never stay over. But with you… I want things I never hoped to want. “Maybe I am a little drunk. You’re intoxicating. It’s insane.”

“God, Alex. I’m aching… open.”

“Angel,” he whispered, a sweet hot wave of breath against her face. Each of them silent, just breathing, not willing to let the other go. Finally, the fingers grasping at the back of his neck loosened and slid down his arms, her eyes finding his, beseeching as their fingers entwined, and she began to move backward toward the elevator that would take them to the place three floors above that would become their sanctuary.

Beyond words, Alex’s eyes burned over her as she bit her lower lip, and the elevator doors closed; the cool inside a sharp contrast to the stifling heat of the Chicago night. Her body trembled and tightened, but not because of the chill.

He found himself wishing the trip would be longer, so he could push her up against the wall and press into her. Instead, he turned her and wrapped her in his arms, burying his mouth against her shoulder, knowing he’d have no choice but to give in to the maddening want. He was done trying to deny himself something that was clearly undeniable. As long as it was what she wanted, he’d give her so much pleasure she’d beg him to stop. He’d make sure she was incapable of staying away from him.

Theirs was an unspoken dance of longing, lust, and life force, flowing from one to the other like electricity or oxygen. As they made their way to her apartment, never letting go of each other in the low lights of the corridor, their minds and pulses raced, each fighting their own thoughts.

I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone.

I’m scared you’ll devour me… break my heart and leave me bleeding… still, I can’t help myself.

At the door, she fumbled in her purse for the key, and when she pulled it out, Alex’s hand closed over hers, pulling it from her non-resistant fingers before shoving it the lock. Her back was against the door as he reached around her. Her dark brown eyes lifted to search his face, desperately seeking confirmation that he was as helpless as she was. Both of their minds raced, conflicted.

I am completely out of control with you. I’m lost somewhere in your eyes, your arms, your body, your mind. Lost.

What happens when I give to you? Or when I take from you? Will you consume me, body and soul? I can’t escape you.

His free hand pushed her hair back, as his eyes met hers unflinchingly, thumb brushing her chin.

You leave me defenseless… it’s like I’m drowning, grasping and clawing for every breath. You’ll break me, her mind cried, even as the depth of his desire registered.

You’ll own me.

Alex’s mouth crashed down on hers, and she whimpered as his body pushed her hard against the door, his hungry kisses left her breathless. Her mouth opened further, allowing him the deepest access, and her hands clutched at the back of his head.

Alex’s heart pounded hard against her chest, and she felt his arousal against her hip, as their mouths moved in perfect symmetry. One giving, the other taking, passionate and wild and then softening, becoming more gentle.

“Angel, I should go. You don’t want this.”

Her hands slid from him to reach behind her and fumble with the door. “Don’t I?”

His breath rushed out as his forehead pressed down onto hers. He was trembling, fighting to control his desire, and she felt powerful knowing he was beyond control.

“No. You want to know that I’m willing to invest in you. That I’m not what you think. I want you to trust me.”

“Unnng,” she moaned as the door fell open and she lost her balance, stumbling backward. Instantly, Alex’s arms tightened, preventing her fall. “Please, just hush.” Her fingers brushed his lips as their eyes met. “I don’t want to think right now, so just… shhhh.”

Alex stilled, his eyes burning into hers. God help him, he wanted to be with her. In whatever way she would allow. His head moved in an almost unperceivable nod.

Her hand reached for his as her purse and keys landed in a rattling pile on the floor, and the door closed behind him. It felt like slow motion to Alex as she pulled him down the dark hall in silence, the only sound was the blood rushing, pulse pounding in his own body, matching the throb in his groin.

Her room was large and smelled of perfume and vanilla. Alex’s eyes narrowed, taking in the looming shadows of the large bed, adorned with a dark duvet and lots of pillows, a chaise in one corner, and a door leading to what must be her bathroom or walk-in closet. The blinds were tightly drawn so only the briefest of rays flickered in from downtown, fully illuminated outside.

“I can’t sleep if light shines in,” she said softly, moving to pull back the covers.

Alex watched her, immobile, unsure. His hands clenched, aching to feel her flesh under them.

“I like hearing your voice in the dark.”

Angel pushed up his shirt, baring his stomach, her chin tilting up to look into his face. The lights reflected off of her eyes, making them sparkle like the moon on a lake. He caught his breath.

“Do you think about me… in my bed… often?” she asked.

He could hear the smile in her voice and his lips curved into one of his own. “Constantly. It’s debilitating.” As she continued to push his shirt up, Alex finally gave in and pulled the offending garment over his head, letting it fall to the floor. “Angel, come here,” he commanded softly.

“Stop saying cum.” She pressed her open mouth to the pulse at the base of his neck, standing on tiptoe to reach.

Alex chuckled, his hands closing around her waist and beginning to push her shirt up in turn. “You make me laugh. It’s so damn sexy.”

“I’m going to rinse off, okay?”

“You don’t need to.”

Angel cringed slightly. Part of her wanted to just melt into his arms, but she reminded herself that she hadn’t showered for twenty hours. “Yes, I do. I’ll only be a minute.”

Angel sighed as he sank down on the bed in front of her and pulled her into him, his mouth closing over the tip of her breast over her top. She moaned and arched as his teeth grazed and her nipple hardened instantly.