“And you’re worth it. I want to be a man who deserves your love. Your trust. Your pain. I want all of it.” Kate leans in and I dip my head. I cover her lips with my own and savor the taste of her mouth. Her tongue searches to play and I moan at the sensation.

Hands around her waist, I pull her close, but she has a better solution and straddles my waist with her legs. I run my hands up and down her thighs. Each time I inch closer to the sexy as fuck panties I’m sure to find. She bites my lip and I groan, pulling her center closer to me. She gasps.

Damn it. This isn’t why I came here. I grip her shoulders and push back so there are several inches between us. Her breaths are ragged, mine the same, as though we’ve just run sprints rather than made out.

“Kate.” I take another jagged breath. She cuts me off, pulls away further and attempts to climb off my lap.

“I’m sorry, I thought—” I hold her legs and pull her back close.

“Kate, let me finish. And stay here.” She stops pulling away and gazes up from under her lashes. “I just want to clarify something before we take things further. I want you. But not for one night. I want you for an indefinite number of nights. I want you to be my official and exclusive.” Her big eyes study mine. She doesn’t say a word. The silence stretches. I clear my throat.

“So, what do you think about that?”

“You scare me.”

“Kate—”

“No, let me say what I need to say. Jonathan Beltran you scare the shit out of me. Because I’ve never wanted to be someone’s one and only. Not since Kevin. I’ve never wanted more than a night or two of fun. And you—” She blows out a deep breath and runs her fingers through her long locks. “You make me want more. And even though I’m scared, I want to try. This. Us. Jon, will you be my boyfriend?”

“Hey, that’s my line. I’m supposed to ask you that question.”

“You want me to be your boyfriend? Because I’m a woman, so that’s impossible, and I’m surprised you swing that way—”

I grip the back of her head and slam my lips to hers. “Kate, shut up.”

“Okay.” She giggles, but soon her laughter turns to panting as my lips make their way to the valley between her breasts. I pull her shirt and bra down to suck one pert nipple into my mouth. My cock is rock hard. She rocks her hips against my erection and I groan. I release her nipple.

I use my fingers to find her center. She’s soaked. Hands tugging, clothes thrown aside, licking, sucking, nipping. I’m moving too fast but I can’t help myself. Kate rides my hand and I circle my finger around her clit.

“Oh, God yes! I’m so close.” I reach in my back pocket and pull out the condom I stashed there. Kate helps me unzip my jeans and pull them down my thighs. I finish kicking them off and stroke the latex down my shaft. She lifts and slides down my cock in one fluid movement. I shut my eyes. Fuck.

“I’m not gonna last,” I bite out between kisses. Her hips move in a tantalizing rhythm. My hands grip her ass. “It’s been too long.” I spread the fingers of my right hand wide and slide them so I can reach her center with my thumb. I can tell she’s close, and within seconds she’s screaming my name. I swallow her cries with my mouth and pump into her three times before I’m coming deep inside.

I’ve never felt so satisfied as I do in this moment. With Kate in my arms, my cock still pulsing inside her, a wave of bliss seeps to my core. “I love you.” I murmur against her mouth. I can feel her smile.

“I love you too, Jon.” She sits back on her hips and I catch the playful glint in her eyes. I trace my hands up her back and down her legs in lazy strokes. She flips the charm on her necklace between her thumb and index finger.

“I’m surprised this didn’t come with Skittles.” She raises a brow. I sit up off the couch cushion.

“You want Skittles? I’ll go get some right now.” She laughs and pushes me back down to the couch. She stands. I love that she’s so comfortable in her skin, completely naked before me. She’s so damn beautiful, and she’s mine.

“Well, I do like to taste the rainbow…” I growl, and she screams as I push off the couch and haul her back into my arms. My lips overpower her giggles.

“The only rainbow you’ll be tasting is me.”

“So caveman,” she teases. I hold her as I walk us towards the bathroom.

“Careful… I’ll hit you over the head and drag you back to my cave.”

She kisses me again, biting at my lower lip, and I groan. “No need. I’ll go willingly.” She breathes out the words, holding my face in her hands. Pride, love, and peace fill my heart. I kiss her with all that I feel. When our mouths part I can’t stop the giant grin that pulls my lips.

“Damn right.” She giggles as I carry her through her small bathroom door.

“Hey, put me down, Army.”

“Not yet.” I adjust my grip to free one arm. I reach into the shower and turn the knob.

“Are we showering together?” Her eyes light with joy and I can’t understand how I’m so lucky. “We end up together in showers an awful lot.”

“Yeah, but those times weren’t any fun. I promise to make this one good. From now on we’re taking lots of showers together.”

“Oh, I like the sound of that.” She grins and I reach inside to make sure the temperature is right. The warm stream of water feels good. Kate wrapped around me, even better. My cock stirs to life. I kiss her and she moans into my mouth. She pulls away, unwrapping her legs to stand before me.

“Maybe showers can be our thing, you know. Every couple has a thing.” I laugh and shake my head as she reaches to a shelf near my shoulder and fills her hand with body wash.

“What?” I croak. She grins as she works her hands over my chest and abdomen. Biting back a groan, I reach for the soap and coat my own hands to move across her skin.

“Like Evie and Tate have food. And Melissa and Drew have sex in public bathrooms…” That halts my hands. I raise my brows.

“They do?” She giggles. I resume kneading her shoulders.

“Yeah. Pretty kinky, right? Totally not what you’d expect from them.”

“Totally.” My fingers skim to Kate’s breasts and I lightly pinch each hard nipple.

“Mmmm… So, maybe showers can be our thing.” She grips my hard length in her hands and drops to her knees.

Best. Shower. Ever.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I grumble under my breath. Kate’s posing her model for the evening, our server from a few nights ago. His arms, chest, and back are bare and covered in Asian themed tattoos.

“What was that, Army?” Kate grins over her shoulder. She goes back to clicking away with her camera.

“Nothing.”

“You know you don’t have to be here.” The fuck I don’t. What she doesn’t realize is that I’m never leaving her to do one of her nude photo shoots alone. Not because I don’t trust her. Because I do. However, I don’t know or trust any of the models she finds. Therefore, she gets intimidating boyfriend bouncer. I almost feel sorry for the models. Almost.

“I want to be here,” I grumble, and earn a little laugh from my girlfriend. I do though. And she’s fucking brilliant with her art. It’s edgy and pushes boundaries, but she’s professional in the way she presents herself. I respect her so much, and I don’t want her to stop taking photos like this. I’m so damn proud of her.

“Okay, Ramon. That’s a wrap.” She starts packing up and Ramon dresses. I help her gather the heavier items, like the portable lighting.

“Thanks again, Ramon. I got some great shots tonight. I’ll email you a few as soon as I get them edited.”

“Thanks, Kate. Awesome to work with ya. Nice to meet ya, Jon.”

“You too.” I nod. “You ready, babe?” She grins.

“Yep. All packed up. Thanks for being my assistant tonight.” She giggles as I take the bag and pull her to my side.