I could never repay him for helping me put some pieces of my soul back together.

He glanced down at my mouth, licking along his bottom lip.

The air crackled around us, testing our limits.

“Let’s go before we get caught doing something in public that could get us in trouble.” He winked, kissed my forehead, and left the vehicle.

A breath left me on a whoosh. Sliding from the SUV, I closed the door.

Cyrus came up to my side, locked the vehicle, and held out his hand.

Slipping my fingers between his, I led us to my apartment building.

When we finally entered my place, Cyrus closed the door. “Don’t forget the code, baby.”

I entered it into the security panel as Cyrus clicked the lock into place.

As soon as I turned, Cyrus grabbed my hand and pulled me against him. I never even had a chance to take a breath as his mouth came down hard on mine.

“I missed you,” he murmured against my lips, pushing me up against the wall. “I know I saw you yesterday but fuck, pet, I missed you.”

Snaking my arms around his neck, I pulled him closer. I wanted to tell him how I missed him too but instead, I decided to show him.

Lifting my leg, I wrapped it around his waist and tugged him even closer.

He groaned, a soft curse leaving him. “Fuck, Ainsley.” He broke the kiss, trailing soft pecks down the length of my jaw. “You’re so damn passionate, I can feel you. I can feel all of you. Thank you.”

He thanked me often, knowing he had been the only person I gave any part of myself to.

His teeth found the side of my throat, igniting a low moan from the back of my throat.

“Geezus, that’s a sexy sound.”

Turning my head at the same time he lifted his, our mouths met in the middle. I grabbed onto his waist, unbuckling his belt.

He stiffened, grabbing my hands. “We can just kiss.”

I shook my head. I had every intention of waiting until tonight before I gave him all of me, but I couldn’t wait anymore. I needed him to help me feel normal. Even if it was a little bit.

“Ainsley.” He lifted his head, staring down at me. “We don’t have to.”

I pulled my hands from his.I need to feel normal. I need you to help me. I need...God, I need you, Cyrus.

“You have me, always. But we don’t have to have sex until you’re ready.”

I pushed him back, dropping both feet to the floor.I am ready now.

His eyes darkened. “You are fucking sexy when you’re frustrated.”

I huffed, pushing past him when he caught me around the middle.

“I don’t want you to regret anything we do,” he murmured against my ear. “I like you a lot, pet, and I don’t want to jeopardize that.”

I turned in his arms, my hands going back to his belt. I stared at him, waiting for a sign that he would push me away again.

“You want to use me?” he asked, his voice husky and deep.

I nodded.