"What, closer to me?"

"No, as in out. Into a new place."

"What's wrong with this one? You have a great place. At least you don't live where you work." Dante's bedroom was attached to his store.

I leaned forward and looked at him with a smile. "I might as well live where I work. I don't know. I feel like it's time for a change."

His gray eyes were thoughtful as he regarded me. "You've told me about this-how you get an itch for change and suddenly end up transforming your identity and moving to a different country."

Reaching out, I gently brushed some of his black hair out of his face and tucked it behind his ears. "I've only been here for fifteen years. It's way too soon to leave."

"So you say. Today you talk about a new apartment, tomorrow you could disappear. For all I know, maybe you're scoping out new employment opportunities in Vancouver."

I laughed and knocked back the rest of my vodka. "No, definitely not. Although, I think Cedric would be easier to work for than Jerome. Or at least a little less annoying."

"Even in Canada?"

"Canada's not that bad. Vancouver's actually a pretty cool city. But don't tell anyone I said that."

Dante set his glass down and reached into his shirt pocket. "Maybe I can bribe you to stick around. Or at least be on time."

A flash of gold caught my eye as he lifted out a watch. It was delicate, almost looking more like a bracelet than a true watch. It had gold links for a band, and its face had a filigree pattern that glittered in the light. I often found watches boring and utilitarian, but this was beautiful. He handed it to me, and I held it up to get a better look. I could shape-shift any jewelry I wanted onto me, but something manmade-something given as a gift-always had more meaning.

"Where did you get this?" I asked. "Did you steal it?"

He scoffed. "Figures. I do something nice, and you have to question it."

"Sorry," I said, feeling a tiny bit bad. That had been pretty ungrateful of me. "But you can't tell me this is part of your normal budget, not with the business you get."

"I told you, I had a good streak last night. And since you weren't around for a night on the town, I figured I'd show you my undying affection some other way. Now, are you going to say thank you, or are you going to keep bitching me out?"

"Thank you," I said. I fastened the watch onto my wrist and admired the way it looked against my tanned skin.

"Maybe you'll be easier to find now-or at least be on time."

I grinned. "Oh, this wasn't affection. This was pragmatism."

"Nah. A little of both. I wanted to get you jewelry, but necklaces and rings are too sappy." He held up his own wrist. "Only thing that didn't make me want to throw up."

"And they say there's no romance left in this world," I laughed.

He gently reached out and touched the watch, tracing a circle around my wrist. Then, his hand trailed up my arm and along the edge of my blouse's V-neck, letting him slip his fingers underneath it. Slowly, carefully, he moved over to one of my breasts, his fingertips dancing around the edges of my nipple, which already stood up hard under the thin fabric. He circled the nipple, pressure increasing, until he finally pinched it between his fingers, squeezing it so unexpectedly hard that I gave a small gasp of surprise.

"Whoa, you don't waste any time," I said. "You give a gift, and thirty seconds later, it's a free-for-all?"

His eyes were hungry and intense now, reminding me of storm clouds. "I've missed you," he said. "I keep thinking I'll get used to you…that you'll stop being so sexy. But it never happens."

Impromptu or not, I felt my own lust stirring. We hadn't been together in a while, and there was a big difference between sleeping with strangers and with those you were close to. He wrapped one hand in my hair, holding it tight, not caring if it hurt me or not. Domination and power, the ability to inflict pain if he wanted, always turned him on, and I had gotten used to this game. He jerked me to him and pressed his lips against my neck as I tilted my head back. His breath was hot against my skin as his teeth grazed me. Meanwhile his hands reached out and grasped the sides of my blouse, ripping it open. A couple of buttons scattered across the floor.

Heat was building between my legs, and I moved closer as his hands closed around the cups of my black satin bra. He pushed the edges of it down so that my breasts spilled over the tip, then pinched both nipples down, nails digging in. I moaned again, and while I really wasn't into pain, I always liked the way he mingled it with pleasure. Satisfied at my reaction, he moved his hands down to his jeans and unfastened them, pulling them and his boxers down partway, revealing the erection that had been straining against the fabric.

He gripped my shoulders and shoved me down to the floor, needing no words to make his wishes apparent.

I didn't hesitate. He leaned back against the couch, and I took him into my mouth, letting him fill it up and nearly touch the back of my throat. My lips slid back and forth on him as his hands tangled in my hair, pulling hard. I sucked more urgently, letting my tongue dance and tease as I moved. He'd been hard when I started, but he swelled even more as I brought him in and out of me.

"Harder," he grunted.

I met his eyes, which were filled with a primal desire that exalted in putting me in such a submissive role. I sucked him harder and faster, my lips hitting his body over and over as they glided along that hard length. His breathing became heavier, his moans louder. I felt him grow in my mouth until it seemed like I couldn't take anymore. He suddenly shifted forward to the edge of the couch, letting him thrust his hips forward and take control. Still holding my shoulders, he shoved himself into me, fucking my mouth as hard as he could. I gave a surprised muffled grunt that seemed to turn him on further.

Then, with a great groan, he gave one last hard thrust and abruptly pulled out so that he came half in me and half on me. It left my skin and breasts warm and sticky. Still gasping, he pulled me up and ran his hands all over my body, uncaring of the increasing mess. His fingertip traced the edges of my lips, and I kissed it.

A look of supreme satisfaction crossed his features. Still keeping me standing, he slid a hand between my thighs and up my skirt. His fingers slipped under my panties, thrusting deep within me. He exhaled with pleasure.

"God, you're wet. Kind of wish I'd fucked you now."

I kind of wished that too, but his fingers were going a long way to make up for that. I burned and ached for his touch, having grown more aroused than I'd expected to. He slid his fingers out of me, then moved them up to my clit and the center of my desire. He stroked and encircled, and I felt heat build up, ready to explode. I leaned forward, resting my hands on his shoulders where he sat. This put my breasts right in his face, and he leaned forward, sucking hard on one of them, teeth nipping at that sensitive skin. It wasn't going to take much to make me come.

He pulled his mouth and fingers back at the same time. I whimpered, wanting-needing-him to touch me again.

"You want that? You want me to get you off?" His voice was soft and menacing.

"Yes…"

"Beg me," he said menacingly. "Beg me to."

"Please," I begged, my body arching back, straining to get closer to him. "Please…"

His fingers and mouth returned, and like that, I exploded. The orgasm made my body spasm as I struggled to stay upright. My knees and legs were weak, but I knew if I collapsed, he wouldn't be able to touch me anymore, and I wanted his fingers to keep stroking me as I came, bringing me to further and further heights of ecstasy.

Finally, when I couldn't take it anymore, I gave in to my trembling muscles. I sank to the ground and rested my head against his knee. His hand found my hair, stroking it gently this time. The couch made for an uncomfortable respite, so we retired to my bedroom and collapsed onto the bed.