Chapter 27

Although I'd meant it when I'd told her that nothing had to happen between us, we managed to keep our hands off each other just long enough to get into the elevator in my building before we were making out again.

I didn't know what I'd thought would happen once I got her alone again, but it sure as hell hadn't been this. I'd expected to have to do some groveling. Perhaps even to get down on my knees and beg her to take me back, but right now, she didn't seem to be interested in talking at all.

Which was fine with me. I was better at this than talking anyway. Pouring all my feelings into the kiss instead, I picked her up when I heard the digital tone that signaled we'd arrived at my apartment. Unlike her penthouse, my front door was this elevator.

I had no hallway and no security cameras in the elevator or in my apartment itself. My building's security system was better than maximum security prisons, with all sorts of sensors and built-in mechanisms to ensure that only residents gained access.

All the doors were protected by biometric locks and I'd verified my identity in order to get into the elevator car and once again when I was inside. It was the only way to get into my place. Not even my mother could drop by unannounced, unless I gave her a security code that would only be good for one use.

Happier and more relieved than ever about it, I carried Serenity into my apartment, not removing my mouth from hers even once as I took her to my bedroom. Her legs were wrapped around my waist and I fucking loved the way it felt to have them there.

I loved how hungry her mouth was on mine and every tiny, soft little moan that escaped from her. I laid her down gently in the center of my bed. She reached for my belt, and I shook my head, meaning it when I murmured against her lips. "This is all about you, Serenity. I have a lot to make up for and this is one of the ways I'm going to say just how sorry I am. Because I am sorry. I am so unbelievably fucking sorry, and before you leave here, I want you to know that I'll never doubt you again and I'll never stop kicking my own ass for doing it in the first place."

She hummed her assent, and I lifted myself off her, intent on taking my time instead of continuing the sprint we'd been on until now. Julie had assured me that she'd take over for Serenity this afternoon and I had Lance covering things at my company. It was only lunchtime and she probably couldn't leave here anyway until at least nightfall—just to be on the safe side.

A grin spread on my lips at the thought that we had several uninterrupted hours ahead of us and I stood up, staying at the edge of the bed and looking down at her. Her blonde hair was splayed out against my navy blue sheets, looking like golden threads of sunshine.

Her lips were swollen from the force of our kisses and her blue eyes were narrow but not angry. Turned on definitely but perhaps also curious. "What are you smiling about?"

I chuckled. "You have to know that I honestly didn't plan it this way, but assuming you'd want to wait until the cover of darkness before you leave, that gives us at least six hours."

"Six hours?" she repeated after me in a hushed murmur. Then she flashed me a coy smile. "Whatever will we do for the remaining five hours and forty-five minutes once you're done with me?"

I laughed, reached for my jacket, and slowly let it slide off my shoulders. "Don't underestimate me, baby. It'll probably be more like five and a half hours."

"Wow. What a lucky girl I am," she teased softly. "You have a lot of confidence. I wonder if it'll last."

"Oh, it'll last," I assured her before I started unbuttoning my shirt. "The real question is whether you'll last."

"I will." She raised her chin ever so slightly and I chuckled, willing to accept the challenge but really quite happy for her not to last. Whatever she wanted really.

I pulled my belt off and undid my pants, feeling her gaze on me. I took my time undressing myself. It would be her turn soon, and I planned on taking that even slower.

Leaving my boxer-briefs on for now, I took off my shoes and socks, then locked my eyes on hers and walked back to the bed. "I've got to say, I love the pencil skirt on you. Anything fitted. Your curves never cease to amaze me."

"Amaze you?" she asked, pushing herself up on her elbows as she watched me reaching for the high-heeled pump on her left foot.

I looked up into her eyes as I slid it off. "All of you amazes me."

Her cheeks blushed a deep, rosy pink and I removed her other shoe before I got started on the skirt. Making sure to really drag it out, I brushed the backs of my fingers against her skin, bending over to place soft kisses in the wake of my touches until she was naked, flushed all over, and beautifully primed for me.

Her nipples were hard, wetness shimmering between her thighs as I gently spread them apart. Going down on my knees, I tugged her toward the edge of the bed and dragged my nose along her inner thighs before I finally reached my mark.

Serenity shivered, her hands sliding into my hair and gripping it tight as her hips bucked and she writhed against my mouth. Almost as soon as I slid my finger into her, she clenched around it, crying out as she came.

I saw her through, taking my time to clean her up before I lifted myself to look into her eyes. "Good?"

"Great," she replied, panting as she tried to reach for me, but I shook my head.

"Not yet. This is all about you, remember?"

She dipped her chin in a nod, her eyes following me closely. I spread out beside her, rolling so that my front was touching her side. Then I started all over again, working her back up before I got her off with my fingers this time.

Neither of us tried to speed things up. By the time I finally sank into her, I was about ready to explode. Her hot, wet heat enveloped me, welcoming me so perfectly that I groaned, biting my lip to keep from losing it on the spot.

Somehow, I managed not to, but it was touch and go as I thrust into her, withdrew slowly, and pushed my hips forward again over and over, looking deep into her eyes the entire time. When her brow furrowed and her teeth sank into her lips, I felt the first tightening on her inner muscles around my shaft and I couldn't hold back anymore.

Her nails dug into my back as I kissed her hard, my muscles flexing with her as pleasure sliced through me like a superhero's arrow. My toes stiffened, my spine igniting as Serenity bucked underneath me, and yet, as soon as the climax subsided, I knew I wasn't done with her just yet.

"Let's go take a shower," I whispered, waiting until we could both feel our limbs again before reaching for her hand and leading her to my bathroom. Soaping her up, I couldn't keep my hands off her and it wasn't long before I was on my knees in front of her, anchoring her hips to the tiled wall of the shower as my tongue slid through her folds.

She trembled and squirmed. "I can't, Dash. I'll fall."

"I won't let you," I promised, my entire being focused on her pleasure before we finally finished our shower and went back to bed.

It was still light outside. Knowing we had time, I kissed her at my leisure and eventually took her to the kitchen to cook a naked lunch of scrambled eggs and toast. She moaned like it was the best thing she'd ever eaten, and our plates were barely empty before I was kissing her again, lifting her up on the kitchen counter to have my way with her there before we went back to my bedroom.

Hours ticked by. We made out like horny teenagers at times and explored like lovers at others. The sun was setting by the time we finally finished, both spent. Even as I lay there panting though, having lost track of the number of times we'd had sex, I still felt like I wanted more.

Like I would always want more.

Serenity let out a soft sigh as she looked up at me. Her head rested on my chest and her palm was placed gently over my racing heart. "I should go. It's dark now, and if I get spotted leaving in the morning, it'll be a fiasco."

"There's a back entrance," I said, even though I really didn't want her to go. "You can use it to leave without being seen. I'll have my car service take you home."

"Okay," she agreed, but she didn't make any moves to get up, evidently choosing to lie with me for a few minutes longer. "You didn't really think I'd used you for exposure, right?"

"Of course not," I replied quietly. "I just had to say something to push you away because I wanted you and I thought you didn't want me anymore."

"That was never true," she said, looking right into my eyes. "Do you really believe me now? About Ethan, I mean? That we're not getting back together and never will."

"Yes, I do." I held her gaze. "I never should've believed it in the first place. I mean that."

"Okay, but if we're going to do this, you should know that a possibility exists that I'm going to be on another reality show."

Surprise washed over me, but I'd known about all the rumors of all the shows that had approached her for an appearance. It was only a surprise because I hadn't thought she'd considered accepting. She took a deep breath, swiping her tongue across her lips before she continued nervously.

"It might be one that focuses on me," she said. "I kind of told a rep for Worldly that I'd only be interested if I got my own show, but instead of laughing me off, she told me she'd get back to me."

"Wow. Is that something you'd want?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Or were you joking and she took you too seriously?"

"Well, I was joking, but if they actually want to do it, then I think I'd at least hear them out."

"In that case, that's great," I said. "I mean it. If it's something you want, then I support you all the way. I care about you, Serenity. I never want to be like Ethan and keep you from doing the things you want to do. So if you want to do it, just tell me what you need from me."

"That," she murmured quietly, pressing up to let her face hover only an inch above my own. "What you just did, that's all I need from you."

She brushed a soft kiss to my lips, then groaned as she rolled away from me and out of bed. "Will you call your car service now? If I stay any longer, I'm just going to stay all night and then we're going to have a problem on our hands tomorrow morning."

I nodded, reluctantly reaching for my phone as she started getting dressed. After making the call, I got dressed myself, then walked her all the way to the car and kissed her for as long as possible before I had to let her go.

She gave me one last smile as I shut the door. Then she was gone and I watched as the taillights disappeared around the corner before I headed back inside. We hadn't really talked much, and yet, I was feeling pretty damn good about my apology—and my chances at a future with her.