“Fast or slow?” he asked, pulling all the way out to the very edge, then sliding all the way back in.

“Fast. Really fast... I can’t last long,” she said.

He made several deliberate, slow movements in and out—the pleasure so intense it was almost painful. He could feel his own orgasm rising. The intensity increasing with each stroke. Faster, harder he thrust into her...over and over, gripping her ass, his fingers digging deep into her soft flesh, rocking desperately into her body.

Her fingers tangled with the bedsheets and her legs trembled furiously, supporting both of their weight as he rested against her, going deeper with each thrust.

“Oh my God, Reed...”

“Look back at me,” he said, reaching for her hair. He gripped it in one hand as she turned her beautiful face to look over her shoulder toward him.

Her gaze locking with his was more of a turn-on than any other sensation.

The timing of their climax was perfectly in sync. A final thrust later, she let out a cry, just as his own orgasm knocked all other thoughts out of his mind. He closed his eyes as he held on tight to her, riding out the waves of pleasure wrapping around them both.

He thought he was going to pass out.

He took a deep breath as he slowly slid out of her, removed the condom and fell onto the bed next to her. Drawing her into him, he kissed her finally, desperate for a taste of her mouth. Lips he wasn’t sure he could ever get enough of. His tongue fought with hers, searching for more, craving more...never ever getting enough. He held her tight and she clung to him just as desperately.

One more week... Would he be strong enough to let her go?

* * *

HOURS LATER, ERIKA rolled to her side in Reed’s bed and reached out for him, but she didn’t feel Reed next to her. Opening her eyes, she sat up and scanned the room. He wasn’t there.

She listened, but the apartment was silent. Had he gotten a call from the station and gone out without her? She wouldn’t have heard him get up or leave. Sleeping in his bed had given her the best sleep she’d gotten...maybe her entire life.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood and left the room. Following a faint stream of light, she made her way down the hallway to the living room.

He was sitting at his desk, laptop open, his back to her. Still partly naked, he took her breath away. He was gorgeous inside and out and he made her feel so many different emotions all at once. For someone whose life didn’t normally include emotion, the effect was dizzying, but it was quickly becoming a high she craved.