Page 51 of Fifth Avenue Devil

Not yet. Just let me spend a few more minutes of this delicious space between the dimness of sleep and the harshness of being awake.

Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the penthouse. I don’t want to wake up yet. As I drowse in my king-sized bed, I think about how incredible last night with Annalise was.

God, I barely recognize myself. Who am I? I used to be so cool and detached. Now it seems that despite my usual one-night stand policy, I can't help but crave more of Annalise.

I’m honestly not sure how to feel about my current predicament. Mostly I’m confused, but there is a strange undercurrent of energy. A thrum of excitement over breaking my own sacred rule.

Rolling over to feel Annalise’s warm, sleeping form beside me, I’m startled to realize that the covers on the other side of the bed are thrown back. Her pillow is cool to the touch. Where the fuck is the woman who just bewitched me so?

I sit up, stretching my muscles and feeling the soreness from how hard I fucked her last night. Or was that this morning? I can’t remember. The night and morning blend into a lust-filled haze. The sheets tangle around my legs. As I sweep them aside, they still hold the scent of her intoxicating perfume.

With a groan, I roll out of bed. I’m usually not this groggy. I pad across the hardwood floor to the kitchen and fire up my state-of-the-art espresso machine.

As the rich aroma of freshly ground beans fills the air, I hear soft footsteps approaching. My chest tightens just before I see Annalise entering the room. She’s wearing nothing but my rumpled button-up shirt from the day before.

God damn. Looking that sinfully sweet should be illegal. I’ll admit to a bit of relief that Annalise actually stayed here last night.

I thought she had slipped away with first rays of dawn.

My cock stirs at the sight of her. A possessive feeling I can't quite shake fills my chest. But I have no right to be possessive.

It’s not as if we are an item or anything.

"Morning." She greets me with a coy smile. Her hazel eyes sparkle with knowledge.

“Morning. I thought you’d left. How did you sleep?"

"Best sleep I've had in ages," she says. She’s too pert as she takes a sip of her coffee and lets out a satisfied sigh. "Oh, this is magic in a cup right here."

"Would you expect anything less?" I ask with a smirk. We stand for several long beats, sipping our coffee and enjoying each other's company in the sunlit kitchen.

Annalise shakes her head. She toys with a strand of her hair, curling it around her finger. "About last night…" she starts.

My heart sinks. Is Annalise about to tell me that we’re making a mistake? Or maybe that it should never happen again? I brace myself.

"Yeah?" I prompt.

"Thank you," she says softly. She moves closer, her eyes meeting mine. "Last time that we had sex, I was wrapped up in the fact that it was my first time. But last night was different. I really… got to feel cherished, I guess."

Her admission makes the back of my neck flush with heat. "It was perfect. You were…” I pause, searching for the right word. “Amazing, actually.”

Annalise smiles, fully dazzling me. Only a fool wouldn’t smile back.

"You think I could have another lesson sometime?" I can tell that she’s teasing me. Her gaze drops to my pajamas. My half-hard cock stirs underneath the pesky layer of clothing I’m wearing.

"You have so much more to learn, Kitten." My voice is thick with desire as I pull her closer. We might not be an item. Hell, we both have our reasons for not wanting a relationship. But there's no denying the electric connection between us.

And I'm not ready to let go of Annalise just yet.

I kiss her. She deepens the kiss, her tongue sliding against mine. She makes this soft, hungry sound just at the base of her throat. Almost a growl, louder than a purr.

I will fucking kill to hear that sound pulled from her chest again. But soon, she eases back, kissing the corner of my mouth. “It would be a sin to let this coffee go cold.”

I grip my mug, nodding. But inside my chest is a ravenous tiger clawing and gnawing its way out. Being civilized for the sake of Annalise takes all the strength I have left.

Annalise adds some cream from the fridge to her coffee. I didn't even know I had cream in there. Cream must be something that the housekeeper stocks.

We lounge in my living room. Annalise gawks at the view for a minute and then settles into my deep, sumptuous couch. Our legs entwine on the plush sofa. We make small talk, bantering while we sip our coffee. The conversation flows so easily with Annalise.

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