He began pumping his hips, driving himself deeper. She had to concentrate on her breathing so she didn’t choke, but something inside her wanted that too. She wanted whatever he was willing to give her.

His focus moved to her clit and Cassie clamped her thighs down on his head, trying to hold him in place. He didn’t seem to mind as he didn’t miss a beat.

Her climax hit her hard. She screamed around his cock as he continued to pump in and out of her mouth until his own orgasm shot down her throat.

Cassie tried to swallow as fast as she could, but there was so much, and he was still filling her mouth. She felt some escape her lips and drip down the side of her face.

Jesse pulled away and the cool air in the bedroom hit her once again. She opened her eyes, finding his form in shadow, looking down at her.

He held her gaze for a long moment, then bent to untie her wrists. As he gathered the material in his hands, she realized it was the tie he’d been wearing. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to look at that tie in the same way again.

After placing the tie on the back of a nearby chair, he returned to the bed and helped her up. Her legs wobbled as she stood. He steadied her, then picked her up and carried her into the bathroom.

Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest. His heart beat strong under her ear and she breathed in the scent of him mixed with sex.

He carried her to the shower and placed her on the bench along the back before turning the water on. She braced herself for the cold, knowing how showers were when you first turned them on, but it never hit her. Jesse stood between her and the stream of water, blocking it until it had warmed.

It was probably a simple thing, him shielding her from the cold water, but it had her heart melting. He brought her to her feet, pressing their bodies together as the water, now the perfect temperature, cascaded from the showerhead.

He pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. “Are you all right? Are your shoulders sore?”

She brushed her fingers against his lips and looked up to meet his gaze. “I love you.”

The look in his eyes went from concerned to tender. He kissed her again. This time, his lips lingered on hers. She felt it all the way down to her toes.

When he broke their kiss, he turned her toward the wall so his chest was at her back. He brushed her hair to one side and pressed his mouth right below her ear. “I think I’ve loved you since that first night when I saw you across the room. You captivated me. Grabbed hold of my heart and you haven’t let go.”

Cassie sucked in a breath. She turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. “I feel the same.”

He brushed the back of his hand along her jaw to her hair and threaded his fingers through her long locks. “I want you in my bed every night.”

Something very feminine clenched low in her belly. “I?—”

“I know we haven’t been together that long, so I won’t ask you to move in with me. Not yet. Not officially, anyway. But I don’t like not having you in my bed. If that means I need to spend the night at your apartment sometimes, I’m willing to do that until you feel comfortable.”

She didn’t know what to say. Her heart was screaming yes, while her brain was telling her all the reasons she shouldn’t be rushing into anything with him. But one look into Jesse’s blue eyes and her heart won. “I think I can live with that.”

The side of Jesse’s mouth pulled up into a smile before he kissed her again. Something told her it wouldn’t be long before he wore down her defenses.

CHAPTER 25

Jesse waited for Cassie to fall asleep before easing out of bed to check his phone. He was hoping to have a message from Craig, but there was nothing.

Update? - Jesse

Cameras in place. Now we wait. - Craig

While he knew this would be a process, he’d been hoping for more. He didn’t like knowing Cassie had been up on the sixth floor alone. They didn’t know who was living up there or why.

Their reasons could be innocent enough, but even if they were, that didn’t mean whoever it was would take kindly to Cassie finding them. People didn’t always react rationally when their secrets were exposed.

Knowing they weren’t likely to have more answers before morning, Jesse got himself a drink of water, then headed back to bed and the warm body waiting for him. Cassie’s declaration of love had been unexpected. He knew she cared for him. The fact she trusted him to restrain her proved that. Hearing her say the words, though, had done something to him.

Logically, he knew there was a process that should be followed. Their relationship was new. They needed time to get to know each other more, test the waters.

His heart, however, had already made its decision. Cassie was the one. The woman he wanted to marry. She’d be his in every way and he’d be hers.

Cassie was snoring softly as he slipped into the large bed. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he also needed her close.