Hearing his voice makes me smile and stand taller. How does he do that?

“Would you like to come up and see my place?” I dive in full force, because sometimes that’s the only way to get through the unknown. Throw caution aside and venture forward.

Everythingwillbe fine. This is Sten, my sweet alien warrior. I repeat the thought over and over.

“I would love to learn all about you, Golda Birnbaum.” His voice deepens, sending chills through me. The good type. I don’t know if we’re quite on the same page here, but I’m about to find out.

After I unlock the front door, we walk the two flights to my floor. My hands shake as I put the key in the door. All of five keys and one pocket knife on the chain and I fumble and drop it.

Warm fingers slide over my hand as Sten takes the keychain from me and unlocks the door. One glance at him calms my nerves. He’s a patient guy. I love that about him, especially since I’m frozen in place, unable to enter my own apartment.

My expression must be really bad because Sten draws a knife. With the stealth of a panther, he enters my apartment. A moment later, he returns, knife back in his boot and his horns relaxed. “Your home is clear. No intruders.”

“Why would you think—”

“You were scared. That’s why you did not enter.”

“I’m sorry. I’m nervous about... being together. I’ve never gone all the way.” I have no reason to be nervous. This is Sten. He’s sweet and spicy rolled into one delicious dessert, like a spiced chocolate cake. And I really want to bite into him.

His brows dip then raise before his horns lay flat against his head. “You are untouched? How is this possible?”

I shrug. “No one’s ever been interested in me. I mean, I’ve had offers, but always from guys who wanted a one-night stand. I want more from a relationship.”

Sten’s hand sifts through my hair, stirring parts of me that a moment ago had retreated like Uncle Marty anytime someone in the family needs money. My eyes find their way to Sten’s handsome face. The concern there blows me away.

“You will not be rid of me so easily, sholani.”

Part of me wonders if that’s a line, because believing in him, in us… It’s hard to accept that I finally found everything I want in a guy.

“I very much want to be with you, my Golda.”

Sten’s lips brush mine and my breath hitches. The world around me disappears as our tongues twine together. When my hand sneaks under his shirt, hard abdominal muscles flex beneath my fingertips, pulling me under until I’m lost in a pool of desire.

I deepen the kiss, thrusting my tongue in as far as I can. Sten bends at his knees and grinds his hard cock against my sex.

I want more.Needmore.

We stumble our way into my apartment and the door slams behind us. Sten must have kicked it shut. I can’t think straight as his hands move over me. My coat lands on the floor with a soft thump. My hat and mittens are next, followed by his jacket and shirt.

We can’t get enough of one another as our mouths lock together. My hands move lower, teasing the button at the top of his jeans. One flick of the wrist and the button pops open.

“Yes, Golda,” he moans, emboldening me. My hand glides lower, moving over his hard length. He’s huge, not that I have any real benchmark against which to compare. When I stroke him over his jeans, another moan spills from his throat and vibrates down to my core.

Sooo fucking sexy. I did that! I elicited that beautiful sound from this gorgeous man.

His hands slide beneath my sweater, skimming over my ribs, belly, and then the side of a breast. Pure and unadulterated decadence! And better than any chocolate cake, ever!

Silver eyes capture me. “I want you, Golda.”

“I want that too.”

He pulls my sweater over my head and gazes at my breasts. A finger dips into my bra and circles my already hard nipple. Those butterflies that were in my stomach are long gone, replaced by an electricity surging through me. Large hands cup my breasts making me feel sexy, desired, dainty.

Instinctively, I arch, offering more of myself to him. Sten pulls the cups down and my breasts spill out of my bra. His skilled tongue circles and flicks one nipple until it aches for much more. With a teasing smile, he blows on the tight peak making it extra sensitive to the cool air in the apartment and heightening the sensation of lying here exposed and vulnerable to him.

When he sucks on my other nipple, his hands push my jeans down past my hips. Now there’s nothing between us except one pair of lace panties, the sexy pair I’ve owned for years but never wore until today, for a guy who means a lot to me.

Sten’s hand moves over my mound and then he eases the lacy material to the side. “Let me in,” he whispers in my ear. My legs separate and his finger slides through my folds.