Hugo Lopez may be my employee, but he’s more like family. Which is why he’s the first, and only, person I thought of to run the business while I’m in Prague. Thanks to technology, I can run the operations and payroll side from anywhere. Our timesheets are all digital—apps on the guys’ phones that either Hugo or I click a button to sign off from before my payroll company cuts checks.

Raines Landscaping is a pretty well-oiled machine, but it’s a hands-on business, and I need a partner to take my place and oversee the day-to-day operations and schedules. I trust Hugo with my life, so I know I can trust him with my business.

“What’s with the fancy dinner date, amigo?” Hugo asks, sliding into the red, leather chair next to mine at the Capital Grille bar.

I laugh. “Only the best for you, hermano.”

“Anna’s going to be jealous. She loves this place.”

“Order her a meal before we leave and bring it to her. That’ll be a surefire way to get some head,” I tease.

Hugo laughs. “I don’t need to bribe my woman for that. You should know. Don’t you have a girlfriend now?” He nudges me with his elbow.

I chuckle. There’s no keeping secrets around my guys. I mean, they saw Maddie and I in the front yard at her parents’ house after the pool incident. They won’t say anything to my face, but behind my back, they’re all yapping about me getting it on with one of the clients. The rumors between my guys don’t bother me. I can take a little good-natured heat.

“I do.”

Hugo cocks his head. “Really? You and Miss Commons are a thing?”

I lean back in my chair and raise my drink. “Sort of. That’s why I asked you here tonight. I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“You want me to be the minister at your wedding?” Hugo slaps the bar. “I knew it. I’ve been waiting years, ready for this moment, E!”

The comment startles me and I choke on the sip I just swallowed. “Years?” I ask after a minor coughing fit.

“Jack and ginger, please,” Hugo says to the bartender before answering me. “You and Madeline have had stars in your eyes since the first time you met. Anna and I saw that puppy love from a mile away.”

“Put it on my tab, please,” I tell the bartender before he retreats.

I’m not surprised they noticed. Hugo and Anna aren’t only close to me, they’re very close to the Commons family. I wouldn’t go as far as to call them friends, but Anna is Cookie’s right-hand woman—the one she calls in any situation, from decorating the house to helping her cook. It makes sense, as she’s worked at their home for twenty years.

“It’s not like that. But Maddie is the reason for what I’m about to tell you,” I begin. Even though I know he would understand, I’ve never told Hugo about my illegal status. Sure, I’m here legally for the time being, but keeping as quiet as possible, even about that, seemed like the best plan. “This is completely hush hush, right?”

“Do I ever tell your secrets?”

“Well, the guys know a lot more than I recall telling them about.”

“It’s because they see it with their eyes, not because I open my mouth.” Hugo leans back in his chair. “You’re the one who puts your business on display.”

“Fair enough.” I shrug and lift my eyes to the seven-point buck head mounted on the wall behind the bar.

“So, what’s up? And what does Madeline have to do with it?”

Time to lay it all on the line. “I am not a legal citizen of the United States.”

“You’re not what now?” he asks, leaning closer as if he didn’t hear correctly.

“I’m a Dreamer, Hugo. I was brought here illegally when I was a baby,” I say quietly, but firmly.

“Oh dang!” He places his elbow on the bar and covers his mouth with his hand. After processing for a moment, he straightens up. “What does that have to do with Madeline Commons?”

“Well, she came up with this crazy plan to start dating. To establish a relationship, so if we had to get married to keep me here, it would look like a natural progression.”

Hugo stares at me with wary eyes. “You know—”

“Even that wouldn’t keep me here,” I finish his sentence and nod. “Yes, I know that now.”

“Damn, man. I can’t believe she offered to do that!” He drains his drink and points to the empty glass, cueing the bartender to make him another. “She could get into major trouble.”

“I know, and I can’t let that happen.” I sigh, dropping my shoulders in defeat. “I love my life, Hugo. I love the business and you and the guys. Charlotte is my home—the only place I’ve ever known. But”—I summon the courage to tell him my plan—“my DACA work permit expires in February. And I can’t renew it again.”

“No. Don’t tell me that shit, E!” As understanding of what I’m saying—and what it means—sinks in, his eyes grow larger and his hand flies up to rub his forehead.

“I’m moving to Prague in a few months,” I finish. Getting it off my chest envelops me in a mixture of defeat and relief.

“Prague? Where the fuck is Prague?” He glances around the bar, as if looking for a camera crew to pop out and tell him he’s being pranked.

“The Czech Republic. That’s where I was born.” The bartender drops off new drinks for both of us. I slam mine, which is probably not the best decision since I drove here.

“Fuck, E. Fuck! You can’t. You—”

“I don’t have a choice. If I ever want to become an American citizen and continue my life here, I have to go back.”

Hugo’s silence is thick. I know he’s processing, so I let him. The bartender places an order of oysters, I’d put in before he arrived, in front of us. Without a pause, Hugo grabs one and slurps it down.

“I eat when I’m stressed out.” He rubs his rotund belly. “Why would you tell me this, E? It’s the holiday season. My stomach can’t take this much stress around the holidays.”

“Sorry I’m ruining the holiday for you.” I roll my eyes.

He elbows me playfully. “You know what I mean, man. I love you like a brother.”

“I love you too,” I tell him honestly. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you tonight.”

“Fuck, E. Are you shutting down the business?” he asks. “Am I going home with a steak and a pink slip tonight?”

“No. Quite the opposite.” I smile. “I want you to take over while I’m gone.”

Hugo turns to me with cheeks full of oyster. He swallows hard and says, “You what?”

“Not just take over, I want you to be my business partner.”

“Erik.” He shakes his head. “I don’t have money for a buy-in like that. Anna and I do okay, but with the kids living with us, it puts more strain—”

“I’m not talking about a buy-in, Hugo. You were the first employee Rusty and I hired. You’ve been just as instrumental in making this business successful as I have. I trust you with my life, literally. If you’re in, I want you to be part owner of Raines Landscaping.”

Tears well up in his eyes. People may be intimidated by his large frame, but he’s an emotional, teddy bear of a man.

“You’re not fucking with me, right?”

“I would not fuck with you about my business. Ronaldo versus Messi, yes, but not my business,” I tease. We’ve had a long-running “argument” about which soccer player is better: Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. Though, the answer is obviously Ronaldo…

“Holy fuck! I’m in. Whatever I can do to help, brother!”

“We’ll have some meetings over the next few weeks to hash out what it will all look like. Then I’ll have lawyers draw up some paperwork. But for now”—I pick up an oyster and hold it out for him like a toast—“we feast!”

Hugo clinks his oyster with mine and we throw them down the hatch simultaneously.

The first step in my plan of action is complete, and with it brings a huge sense of relief. Hugo and I celebrate the rest of the evening drinking and eating massive steaks.

I’m torn with dueling emotions—excited about starting an adventure in Prague, while wrecked when I think about leaving my grandmother and my friends.

Prague looks pretty fucking cool, judging by what popped up in multiple searches I’ve done since putting my plans into full gear. Every time I look for apartments, my heart pounds a little faster, mesmerized by the beautiful architecture of the city, a mix of various styles spanning over hundreds of years. Though I never went to college, I’ve done enough research for my landscaping designs to recognize the Baroque and Gothic-style buildings throughout Old Towne Square, the historic heart of the city. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s daunting to pick up and move to a place I don’t know, but if I had to have been born in a foreign country, the Czech Republic seems like a win.

After dinner, I make sure Hugo gets in the Lyft I called for him since neither one of us can drive. I’m about to enter my own address, but then I realize Maddie’s condo is literally around the corner.

Madeline Commons, the beautiful, selfless woman, who would risk getting into major trouble just to help me stay in the country. I can’t let her do that. The fact she would do that for me made me realize I have to take responsibility for myself. Since shifting my mindset, from looking for loopholes in laws to stay here, to taking the steps to become an American citizen, I’m actually excited about whatever the future holds.

Each day, I fall deeper and deeper for Maddie. If our feelings for each other are real, I want the chance to be with her for the rest of my life. In order to do that, I have to leave.

But right now, I’m here—and I plan on making the most of our “fake” relationship. I close the Lyft app and type out a quick text.

I shove my phone in my front pocket and practically run to her place. The drinks and newly-made plans have me high on life and feeling frisky. Hope Maddie’s ready for me.

She’s waiting in the lobby, wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts. It’s borderline indecent, but I’m not complaining. It covers more than a bikini and technically, this is her home, so why would she feel uncomfortable?

She smiles and runs to me. “What a wonderful surprise!” she says, wrapping her arms around me. I’m slightly taken aback by how demonstrative she is, but I roll with it. My hands roam, feeling the rounds of her ass cheeks as her shorts ride up.

“Let’s get upstairs.” I turn her around and propel her forward, covering her like a blanket as we walk to the elevators.

“I’ve had a little bit of wine tonight,” she whispers loudly as she presses her code into a keypad.

I nuzzle her neck, inhaling the soft, sweet scents of lavender and vanilla. “I’ve had a little bit of bourbon.”

Thankfully, we’re the only ones waiting for the elevator. When we get on, she presses the button for her floor, and I press her back against the wall and slam my mouth on hers. She grabs onto my shoulders. I place one hand on her waist, and use the other to grope her breast, then slide up and into her hair. My erection presses against her stomach. I’m so fucking aroused, I have no clue how long I’m going to last. Maddie and I have never made out like this before. And the intensity is sexy as fuck.

We don’t stop kissing and touching, pulling and yanking, until we reach her bedroom. We waste zero time undressing each other quickly and climbing onto the bed.

“Condoms are in the drawer,” Maddie pants.

When I texted earlier, engaging in a sexy make-out session crossed my mind, but not sex. Yet here we are, two naked, willing participants. I reach over and slide open the drawer to her nightstand. Though condoms were my original mission, two hot-pink vibrators catch my eye, and my mind takes a major detour. I pick one up and hold it in front of Maddie.

“What’s this?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t even work.” She squirms under me. I love how much she wants me to touch her again.

“What, like it’s not charged?” I ask, pressing a button I assume turns it on. It immediately starts buzzing and shaking in my hand.

“No, it’s supposed to be a G-spot vibrator and it doesn’t work. Maybe I don’t have a G-spot.”

“Maybe I should check.”

Her eyes flash. “Erik—”

I trail the vibrator down her stomach and over her pussy. “I won’t if you don’t want me to, but I think I can help you find it.” I kiss the inside of each thigh, then blow on her clit.

As her arousal grows, her pelvis rises to meet my mouth, but I lift my head. She’s already soaking wet, so there’s no need to moisten the toy with lube. Dropping my head again, I kiss her just below the belly button as I insert the vibrator slowly. She lifts her hips as I slide it farther inside. Her hips buck off the bed, jolting her pussy against my face.

“Mmmmmm. I love how excited you are, Madeline. It’s so fucking sexy.”

I press a few buttons, testing various speeds and rhythms. She moans when I get to a slow roll that builds to a more intense buzz. That’s the one.

While one hand jerks the vibrator hard and fast against her G-spot, I lower my mouth to her clit, licking, sucking, and nibbling. She’s rolling her pussy against my face and moaning, so I know it feels good.

That’s when the brilliant idea strikes. I remove my face from between her legs and grab the other vibrator—a wand-type thing with a huge, bulbous head that pivots easily.

“Erik! Don’t stop!”

With the G-spot toy still vibrating inside her, I flick the wand on and place it directly over her clit.

“Oh my God!” She thrashes under me, knocking the toy out of my hand.

“So fucking hot.” I blow slowly on her pussy, then brace her with one arm before pressing the vibrator to her clit again.

“Fuck! Oh my god! Oh my god,” she pants. “It’s too much.”

“Should I stop?” I ask, even though I know what her answer will be.

“No.” She shakes her head. Her eyes are closed; she’s writhing in ecstasy. “Fuck, Erik! How? I can’t—I can’t.”

“Yeah, you can.” My cock throbs, but I’m not giving it any attention until this girl is seeing stars. The intensity of both vibrators must have her close to exploding. And I want to taste it all. I press a button on the clit wand twice, which increases the speed. Using one hand to hold it on her clit, I wiggle the other vibrator, pulling it out and pushing it back in, hard and fast. It only takes a few jolts before she’s screaming and bucking.

That’s my cue to drop the wand and pull the G-spot vibrator out. I cover her pussy with my mouth, lapping her juices. She immediately closes her legs around my head and grinds against my face.

I grab hold of my cock and pump it in my fist a few times. It’s not going to take me long to lose all control, not with how fucking hot Madeline looked getting wrecked by the double-vibrator orgasm.

“I’m gonna come,” I tell her. My heart pounds against my chest, cock engorged in my hand. “Where do you want it?”

“On my tits. Come all over my tits,” she begs, cupping her breasts with both hands and twisting her nipples between her fingers.

“Fuck!” I barely have time to rise onto my knees before I cover her beautiful breasts.

When I’m able to see straight again, I grab my boxer briefs off the floor and wipe my cum off Maddie’s tits. It’s definitely not the sweetest way to clean her off, but I’m completely spent, so it’ll do until I get her in the shower later. Her eyes are still shut and her breathing slows with each rise and fall of her chest, so it doesn’t seem like she cares all that much.

“You are so fucking sexy, babe,” I say, lying down next to her and gathering her in my arms.

“That was really hot,” she says. “I have never done anything like that before.”

Maddie’s not shy, but doing things you’re not familiar with in the bedroom takes a lot of trust in a partner. “Thank you for being so open.”

Her head pops up, blue eyes blazing with fire. “What? Like, my legs?”

“No!” I laugh and kiss the top of her head. “Open, as in trusting me enough to try new things.”

“Well, you never have to think about things like that, sugar.” Maddie relaxes and nestles into me, snuggling a little closer, if that’s even possible, since our sweaty, naked bodies are already completely molded together. “I trust you completely.”

“I feel the same.”

I hold my breath, waiting a split second until she breathes in, so I can sync mine with hers. It makes me feel that much closer to her—like we’re one, not only in our hearts, but also in body. Once our breathing syncs, chests rising and falling together, I know it’s the right time to confess everything that’s been building in my heart.

“I’ve never felt so connected to someone as I do to you, Maddie. I’ve never wanted to spend every single second with someone. I’ve never been so proud of someone else’s success and accomplishments. I—” Why the fuck am I rambling about bullshit stuff? “What it comes down to is, I love you, Maddie. I love you more with every breath I take. I feel like our souls have had this connection since we were kids, and it’s just gotten stronger over the last few months. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Maddie is silent, which might be the first time that’s happened in twenty-five years. Maybe she’s digesting the information. Maybe she’s overcome with emotion. Maybe she’s contemplating what to say.

After a few seconds, I can’t take it anymore; I look down, hoping to catch her eye. The slow and steady rhythm of her breathing should have clued me in. She’s sound asleep.

The post-sex, endorphin high had me out of my mind. There’s absolutely no reason to tell her I love her when I’m leaving the country with no timeline of when—or if—I can ever return. Only the biggest asshole in the world would do that to someone he loves.