“Beg me,” he said huskily, his mouth hovering above mine. “Beg me to let you come.”

“Please let me come,” I moaned. “Jacob...” I felt my release building, threatening to spill over and drown me in ecstasy.

The ice was pulled away and replaced by the warmth of his fingers, swirling and flicking around my swollen bundle of nerves and with a deep sigh, he push a digit inside me.

“Come for me...come now.”

Desire rushed from me and I stretched toward its warm embrace, pleasure shooting out of my fingers and toes. I was wide open. Strained to the breaking point and beyond. I made wild, abandoned groans that sounded more animal than human. Feral. Carnal. He was right there with me, eyes closed as he savored the melody of my climax like it was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

I was still lost in the throes of passion, gasping and panting. When he released my arms from the cross, I nearly tumbled over from exhaustion but after my feet were free, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bed.

I watched him pull his shirt off, revealing his beautiful golden chest, the cuts and planes flexing as he towered above me. The pants were the next to go and then the last piece of clothing that kept him from me joined the heap. His lust engorged him and his eyes were dark with need as I brought my knees up. He moved between my thighs, sheathing himself to the hilt with a single thrust. He impaled me, sending a moan full of yearning from my open mouth. He drew out, his face rippling with emotion before he drove back inside. Filling me. Stretching me.

“Come again,” he said hoarsely, his thrusts pounding me into the mattress. “Come with me.”

My second climax monsooned the first. It was different, the symmetry of our bodies, of our breathing turning it into something poetic. Even though we’d been together countless times, this time was different. Like we’d reached something, fought tooth and nail and this beautiful release was our salvation.

I laid my head against his chest, feeling the beat of his heart beat in time with my own.

“You’re my forever, Leila.”

His voice was filled with so much naked emotion that my heart swelled in my chest. It left no room for the past, only our future.

****

I pulled my t-shirt over my bare chest and stepped into a pair of jeans. Jacob was still out cold, thank god. I was afraid the sound of my cell rattling would wake him, but he didn’t even stir.

I buttoned my jeans as I bounded down the staircase. I had great timing because the elevator dinged and slid open just as I hit the landing. Billy Meyer, one of the night security guards, was standing in the foyer, holding a box of pancake mix and syrup.

“Here you go, Miss Montgomery!” His sun weathered face creased in happiness as he held out the plastic bag.

I took it and fished for cash in my pocket. “You’re a life saver, Mr. Meyer.” I’d decided to surprise Jacob with breakfast, but didn’t want to hoof it all the way to the nearest grocery store. Billy was ending his shift and offered to run and grab me some ingredients and bring them up.

“Call me Billy, please.” He didn’t accept the twenty that I held out. “It was only a couple of bucks. Just consider it a thank you. You’re one of the few people in this building that actually remembers my name.”

I put the bag on the counter and turned back to him. All the guards on staff were nice, but I’d clicked with Billy ever since he’d given a photographer that was hounding me a few weeks ago a stern talking to. He told me that I reminded him of his granddaughter, but I had a feeling that even if I didn’t he would have been my knight in shining armor. He was just that kind of guy.

“How’s Mindy doing?” I asked, remembering his granddaughter’s name.

“Ready for a break, I think,” he said with a chuckle. “She works so hard.” He touched the visor of his hat. “Well, I won’t keep you. If you ever need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I thanked him again then turned to the kitchen. I had some fruit already cut up; now all I needed was to not burn the penthouse down while I whipped up some pancakes.

The mix was easy enough since all I had to do was add water and surprisingly, I managed to pour in two dollops without making a mega pancake or splattering it all over the place. Not that I couldn’t eat a mega pancake--or a small house. After our first bdsm session in over a month, I felt like I’d just run a marathon. I was spent, physically and emotionally. But I loved it—it was like we’d climbed our Everest, a mountain of all of these trials and tribulations—and now we could finally move forward.

You’re my forever, Leila.

I got goose bumps and couldn’t stop smiling as I flipped the pancakes. My smile broadened when I saw they were a perfect golden brown. I knew that whatever happened, whatever was next, I could face it with Jacob.

“You’re cooking breakfast?” His voice filtered from upstairs, still thick with sleep.

I pointed at him with the spatula. “The best breakfast ever, in fact.”

“Is that right?” he smirked, walking down the stairs. He came over, his eyes taking in the line of orange wedges, strawberries, and grapes.

“Mmhm. So I hope you’re hungry.” I turned back to the skillet and slid the two pancakes onto porcelain plates.

“It looks great, babe.” He went to work, helping me setup by putting the fruit into two square bowls. He swiped a strawberry and turned back to me, blocking me in. “I think I might need to sample something though. Make sure the fruit is of the utmost quality.” His eyes glittered. “Shirt off.”