“You won't,” she breathes, her hands cupping my face. “Never again.”

When my mouth finally finds her center, she cries out, her head falling back against the glass. I worship her with lips and tongue, relearning every spot that makes her tremble, every touch that draws those breathless sounds from her throat. Her fingers tighten in my hair.

“God, I missed this,” she gasps, her hips rolling against my mouth. “Missed you.”

I slide two fingers inside her as my tongue circles her clit, feeling her walls clench around me. She's close already,her breathing ragged, her thighs trembling on either side of my head.

“Come for me,” I murmur against her. “Let me taste how much you missed me.”

She shatters with a cry that echoes off the windows, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure crash over her. I don't stop until she's pulling at my hair, oversensitive and shaking.

“Bennett!”

Rising to my feet, I lift her against me, her legs wrapping around my waist as I press her back against the glass, positioning myself at her entrance.

“I have to have you now,” I growl, my control hanging by a thread.

“Yes,” she gasps, her nails digging into my shoulders. “Please, Bennett.”

I enter her in one powerful thrust, both of us crying out at the sensation of being joined again. She's tight, heaven, everything I need and more. I remain still for a moment, overwhelmed by the intimacy of it. Not just our bodies connected, but our hearts, our futures intertwined.

“Move,” she breathes. “Please, Bennett.”

I begin a slow rhythm, wanting to savor every sensation, every response. This isn't just sex. It's a claiming, a promise, a new beginning. Her body rolls to meet mine with each thrust, and I lose myself in the feeling of her around me, in the sounds of pleasure she makes against my neck.

“I love you,” I whisper, my forehead pressed to hers as we move together. “I love you so much it terrifies me.”

“Me too,” she breathes, her eyes locked on mine. “Ilove you so much it hurts. I’m nothing if I’m not yours, Bennett.”

Her words undo me completely. I carry her to the bed, never breaking our connection, laying her down and thrusting her into position. She cries out.

“You are so fucking mine, Layla.”

The position change allows me to go deeper, and she arches beneath me with a gasp that makes my blood sing.

“Harder,” she whispers, her hands on my biceps. “I want to feel you for days.”

I give her what she wants, what we both need. Deep, claiming strokes that leave no doubt about who she belongs to. Her legs wrap around my waist, holding me close as we find our rhythm.

“Tell me again,” I demand, my voice rough with emotion and desire.

“I love you,” she gasps, her back arching. “I love you, Bennett. Forever.”

The word breaks something loose in my chest. Forever. Not just tonight, not just until the next crisis threatens to tear us apart. Forever.

“Forever,” I rasp, close to the edge. I fight for control, needing her to reach her peak one more time before I follow. I shift the angle slightly, finding the spot that I know makes her see stars.

“Right there,” she cries, her body beginning to tremble. “Don't stop.”

I don't. I drive into her with increasing intensity, watching her face as pleasure builds, as she climbs toward yet another release. When she finally breaks, my name tearing from her throat, her body clenching around mine in waves of ecstasy, I finally let loose.

“Layla!” My release tears through me with a ridiculous amount of force, years of control and careful distance shattered by the woman shuddering beneath me. I collapse beside her, gathering her close, unwilling to break the connection between us.

“My god, Bennett. That was...” she begins, then stops, seemingly at a loss for words.

“Perfect,” I breathe, pressing a kiss to her damp forehead. “You're perfect.”

She turns in my arms, her eyes soft with satisfaction and love. “We're going to be OK, aren't we? Really OK this time?”