Feeling powerful, she continued stroking up and down his shaft. His breath came in shallow gasps, and she kissed him softly. His eyes opened, blazing into hers. When he gathered her up against him and lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He backed her up against the wall. Gripping his hair, she met him kiss for kiss. His pelvis ground against her in the right way, and she wanted more of it. So much more.

“The bed,” she urged.

“No,” he said. “Here.”

He lowered her to her feet and dropped to his knees, pulling her leggings down bit by bit, kissing and nipping her skin as it became exposed. He lifted her shirt, pushed the fabric back and pressed his cheek against her soft belly.

“Mine,” he whispered.

“Yes,” she said, closing her eyes and leaning against the wall for support. Eli nuzzled her stomach, and she whimpered. “Now,” she said. “Please, Eli.”

“No,” he said gruffly. “It’s my turn to tease you.”

He moved lower, still licking and nuzzling, and a peak of pleasure built within her. She didn’t know how much more of this she could take.

“Please,” she begged.

“You are so sexy,” he groaned as he slipped his pants down, lifted her to his waist, and sheathed himself inside her.

Slowly, he began to move, going deeper and deeper until she thought he’d become part of her. Then his thrusts became frenzied, and Aria cried out as the world fractured into a million blissful pieces. A moment later, he stiffened and dropped his head to her shoulder, panting in her ear.

“That was amazing,” Aria murmured.

“We shouldn’t have done it.”

Not exactly what she wanted to hear while she was sated in his arms. The words were indisputable, though. She ought not to have been with Eli again. It was too late to take it back, so she wriggled to the floor and led him to the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her against him.

Aria loved being spooned, feeling another person’s heartbeat and sharing their warmth. Eli Lockwood was a really good big spoon. Strong and safe. It was silly, but she couldn’t help feeling that way. Sometime later, lost in her thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.

This time, it was Aria who woke to a cold bed. Eli was gone, and a scrap of paper lay on his pillow. She leaned over to read the note.

You look beautiful when you sleep. Being together was a mistake, but I don’t regret it. I set the alarm to wake you up in time for the hairdresser at 3pm.

Eli