The next ten days flew by in a wild blur, and one morning when Jade checked the calendar she did a double take when she realized just how fast time was going by. But she had the work to show for it – the outline for the article was nearly done, and all Jade had left was one final interview with Leon. Knowing her time with Leon was nearing its end, Jade couldn't help but feel a subtle longing; a small part of her wanted this job to never end.

"How're things going with the article?" asked Leon one Saturday afternoon.

"Just about done with the groundwork. Once I squeeze one last interview out of you, I'll have everything that I need to get the project finished. From then on, it'll be just a matter of writing the thing."

"That's a shame," said Leon, putting on an expression of exaggerated sadness. "I was getting used to spilling my guts for an hour every day."

Jade gave him a playful jab as she walked past him on her way to pour herself a cup of coffee.

"Hey," she said, "it's not too late for me to do a total hatchet job. Maybe a line or two about your secret lifestyle as one of the biggest furries in the city?"

"Now that would move some magazines," said Leon. "Though my furry days are long behind me, I'm afraid."

Jade chuckled and shook her head.

"Well then," she asked. "You want to knock this last interview out?"

"Sounds good to me," said Leon. "And I've got something I'd like to talk to you about afterward. Meet you on the balcony in five?"

"Perfect," said Jade, her mind fully occupied by Leon's comment about wanting to talk to her about something.

What does he want? she wondered as she gathered her interview materials from her little office. Maybe to tell me which details are fit to print?

Jade realized that Leon had been fairly open with just about every detail of his life that she'd asked him to share; it only made sense that there'd be certain details that he didn't want out in the open.

Well, she thought, just before stepping out of her office, there is one detail that he hasn't wanted to talk about.

Us.

She pushed the thought from her head, telling herself that there were surely more important things for Leon to want to talk about. After all, why would a brief relationship in his college days be anything even close to noteworthy?

Her coffee and supplies in hand, Jade stepped out onto the balcony where Leon was already waiting for her. He was dressed in his usual style –simple but fashionable- wearing a hand-tailored white button-up, a pair of charcoal slacks, and a shiny pair of double-monk shoes.

Damn, he looks good, thought Jade, biting her lower lip.

"Ready to start?" asked Leon, flicking his piercing blue eyes up at her.

"Always," said Jade.

She slid into the seat across from Leon, slipped recorder out of her pocket, turned it on, and set it on the table.

"So," she said. "During most of these little chats it's been me directing the conversations. But for this last interview, I wanted to change things up a bit."

"Oh?" asked Leon, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," she said with a sly smile. "I wanted to give you the chance to talk about anything you'd like. Anything that you think is essential for someone like me who's trying to tell your story. No subject is off-limits."

"Hmm," said Leon as he looked away.

His response was immediate; he only needed a moment to think.

"In that case, I'd like to talk about you."

Jade nearly spit out her coffee.

"What?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief

"Well, to be more specific, you and I."

"What…what do you want to talk about, um, about me?"

He sat back in his seat and folded his hands over his stomach. Leon was the picture of calm and poise.

"A long time ago, nearly a decade back, I was in one of the lowest points of my life. I was stuck with a family that was beyond dysfunctional, I broke the law on a daily basis just to get by, and my future was far from certain. With each day that passed, I felt my heart harden just a bit. I didn't know it at the time, but I was in the process of killing the part of myself that was human just to survive."

"But that all changed the day that I met some silly, beautiful girl wandering around the bad part of town. Even before we spoke, I knew that there was something different about this girl; I knew that, somehow, she was different – special."

"At first, she was a royal pain in my ass. I mean, really, a rich girl wanting some punk asshole to show her around the bad parts of town so she could see what ‘real' life was all about? Unbelievable. So, I figured I'd give her a show; I'd push her out of her comfort zone just enough to make her want to run back to the safety of her carefully-manicured little life."

"But…she didn't act that way. Not at all. In fact, she reacted in the exact opposite manner that I expected. She loved the thrills, she loved pushing herself as she never had before. And with each adventure we went on, she seemed just a little stronger than she was before. I couldn't help but admire her."

"And I ended up falling in love with that girl. She could be a brat, sure, but she had a heart and spirit like no woman that I'd ever known before. Part of me wondered if I'd met the woman that I'd spend the rest of my life with. But I should've known that the reckless life I lived was going to catch up with me one way or another. And because of a stupid misunderstanding, I lost her."

"Now, years later, like some miracle, she's back in my life. And somehow, she's even more of the woman that I once knew. She's just as beautiful and talented as she was before, and now she's fearlessly pursuing her dreams."

Tears welled in Jade's eyes as she listened to Leon. Her pen had only ago been dropped onto the paper, and she sat in struck attention.

"And now, having her around the last couple of weeks, all I can think about is how much I want her back in my life. But I know I'm hardly a man worthy enough for her. So, all I can do is give my heart to her, and hope that she accepts it."

Then, Leon reached over the table and took Jade's hands into his own. A small smile formed on his face, and Jade was speechless.

"I…I think that's good enough for today," she said.

Jade didn't know what to think. Part of her wanted to take Leon up on his offer right then and there, to leave the past in the past. But she couldn't shake the notion that this was all happening so fast, that she needed time to truly process just what Leon was offering her.

"Listen," said Leon, as if reading her mind, "I have a little event tonight, a gala to celebrate this quarter's success at Sanderson. Things got crazy in the last week, finding a plus one just slipped my mind. If you're not busy tonight…"

"Yes!" said Jade. "That sounds perfect. But, um, I don't really have anything to wear.

Leon waved his hand through the air in a dismissive gesture.

"Don't even worry about that," he said. "Take the afternoon and head down to Fifth Avenue. Take my car and get whatever you want. A woman like you deserves no less."

Jade opened her mouth to protest, but she knew that Leon was the sort of man who, when he put his mind to something, was impossible to budge.

Leon's eyes flicked to the recorder.

"I hope that you've got enough to work with."

"More than enough," said Jade, a warm smile on her lips.

* * *

Jade returned from her shopping trip both exhausted and wired at the same time. Bags of all sort of goodies dangled from her arms as she stepped back into the apartment, and she made a beeline for her bedroom to try on what she'd purchased.

"A successful trip?" asked Leon from where he sat, a cup of coffee and the New York Times in front of him.

"You could say that," said Jade, a sly smile on her lips.

"Come have some lunch when you're done; I'm about to send Oliver to his friend's place here in a little bit."

Jade nodded and rushed to her bedroom, dropping off her bags and deciding to figure out what she was going to wear later. Back in the main room of the apartment, Leon and Oliver were seated at the kitchen bar, a lunch of sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and soda spread out in front of them. Jade took a seat with the family and jumped right into the lively conversation that the two were in the middle of. Oliver talked about school, the plans he had at his friend's tonight, and just about everything else that occupied the attention of a five-year-old kid. Jade listened attentively, a calm sense of contentment coming over her as she sat there with Leon and Oliver, having a pleasant afternoon lunch like any other family.

Is this what it's like? To have a family? she found herself wondering. It's…nice.

Part of Jade had always imagined herself as the sort of woman who'd be single-mindedly pursuing a career for the majority of her adult life, the routine broken up by the occasional relationship that was doomed to fail. The idea of having a family was something that she just imagined was for other people, not women like her. But getting just a little taste of it these last few days with Leon and Oliver…she found herself quickly warming up to the idea.

"Alright, champ," said Leon, taking a glance at the gorgeous silver watch on his wrist. "I think it's about time to get you shipped off."

"Kay!" shouted Oliver, jumping from his seat and headed off to his bedroom.

"And why don't you do what you need to get ready?" said Leon, standing up from the table with a pair of plates in his hands. "Ride'll be here at around five."

"'Ride'?" asked Jade.

But Leon only answered with a crafty smile.

Jade returned the expression and headed back to her room. After going through her day's haul, she decided on a gown of a deep red color with a plunging neckline. A quick run to the beauty parlor later, she was ready to go. Taking one last look at herself in the mirror, she drew a deep breath, ready for the evening ahead.

And the look that Leon gave her when stepping into the living room was one she'd never forget.

"You look…amazing," he said, walking over to her and giving her a once-over. "Just incredible."

"Thanks," said Jade. "And you don't look so bad yourself."

Dressed in a well-tailored black tuxedo, Leon looked as sharp as ever.

Before either of them could say another word, a low chime sounded through the apartment.

"Our carriage awaits," said Leon, extending his arm for Jade to take. "Shall we?"

"We shall," said Jade, a warm smile on her face.

The two of them traveled down via the elevator and were soon in front of the building, a gorgeous, silver limousine parking out in front. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was a dramatic, brilliant scene of orange, cream, and deep blue, the towers of the city twinkling throughout.

"Is this…?" asked Jade, her eyes wide with surprise.

"It is," said Leon.

The driver greeted the pair and opened the door for the both of them. Jade stepped into the sleek, ultra-modern interior of the limo and shook her head in disbelief.

"It's incredible," she said.

"Nothing quite like driving through New York at night in a limo," said Leon, removing a bottle of bubbly from the small refrigerator and popping it open.

Her face nearly pressed to the glass as she craned her neck up to take in the sight of the city around her, Jade couldn't help but agree.

Leon poured the two a pair of glasses of sparkling wine.

"What're we drinking to?" asked Jade, her eyes on the bubbling drink in her hands.

"A wonderful future," said Leon. "Whatever that might hold."

"I can drink to that," said Jade.

The two tapped their glasses together.

About the time that their drinks were finished, the limo pulled up to a grand building built in the old style, the street in front packed full of limos. A thick group of men in tuxedos and women in lovely balls gowns made their way into the building via a magnificent flight of stairs flanked by columns. And on both sides of the party goers were mobs of paparazzi, all snapping away, eager to capture photos of the New York elite.

"What kind of party is this?" asked Jade, her eyes on the crowd.

"The kind of party where everyone wants to be," he said.

The driver parked and opened the door for the two. The flashbulbs of the paparazzi went off all around them, and Jade was instantly dazed by the lights.

"Mr. Sebastian!" shouted photographer after photographer. "Who is this woman you're with?"

The all clamored for answers to questions that Leon didn't indulge, not even for a moment. Jade held her arm in front of her eyes as Leon led her through the crowd and up the stairs. Soon, after passing a team of burly guards in sunglasses who confirmed their identities, the two of them entered the building.

Jade gasped as the light from the flashbulbs faded from her eyes and she took in the sight of the gorgeous, expansive ballroom. The place was full of fantastically-dressed men and women, and a small symphony in the corner filled the air with light music. Jade scanned the crowd and, to her amazement, found that there were some very, very familiar faces there.

"Is that…" asked Jade, looking towards a tall man with silver hair surrounded by partygoers.

"Yep," said Leon. "That's the mayor."

As Jade continued looking through the crowd, she spotted even more familiar faces. Some were bigwigs in the New York business scene, some were well-known politicians, and some were actors and models.

"I have to admit," she said. "I'm kind of feeling like the biggest fish out of water of all time, here."

"You're doing fine," said Leon. "Just don't ask anyone for their autograph."

He then flashed Jade a smart-assey half-smile and nudged her playfully with his elbow.

"Please," said Jade, returning the smile. "I'm not that much of a small-town yokel."

"I don't know," he said. "You can take the Midwest out of the girl…"

"I think you're forgetting that I'm a middle-class brat and not a farm girl."

"Well, just as long as you don't invite a state senator to a cow-tipping, I think we'll be fine."

"I'm not making any promises," said Jade.

With that, the two of them began their evening. Leon led Jade through the party, introducing her to the who's-who of the city. Jade was at first totally overwhelmed, but by the time Leon brought her over to the mayor, she was a little more warmed up to the idea. Still, she couldn't believe that Leon was on a first-name basis with so many of these people.

They drank champagne, had delicious food from the trays of the passing waiters, and after a time, Jade went from feeling in over her head to having a pretty good time. After a time, the attendees took their seats at the many large, circular tables in the ballroom and dinner began. During the meal, a series of speakers took the stage, all discussing Mr. Delahunt, Leon's mentor. Evidently, it had been one year since his passing and the gathering was a celebration of his life.

Then, to Jade's shock, as the applause from one of the speakers died down after his turn at the podium, the MC announced the next speaker.

It was Leon.

He stood up to raucous applause, striding onto the stage like he owned the place. Her eyes wide with surprise, Jade settled into her seat and listened to Leon's speech. Just as she would've guessed, he was a wonderful orator. He was funny, serious when he needed to be, and always engaging. He took the audience through his years with Mr. Delahunt, sharing with the crowd how this man took a chance on a kid from the streets like Leon, giving him the opportunities that he needed to live up to the potential that Mr. Delahunt evidently saw in him.

By the time he was done, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

The rest of the evening went wonderfully, and by the time midnight approached, Leon took Jade aside and whispered something gently into her ear.

"I'm tired of sharing you with the rest of these people," he said. "I think I'm ready to make you all mine."

They were the precise words that Jade wanted to hear.

"Then we should probably get out of here," she said, a sly smile forming on her lips.

Leon nodded and called for the limo.

By the time they climbed into the back, the two of them were all over one another. The city passing by through the windows of the limo, Jade and Leon kissed like they were back in college, kissing with such eagerness and passion that they seemed to be on the verge of devouring one another.

The events of the evening rushed through Jade, adding to the buzz from the many glasses of champagne.

"One sec," said Leon.

He pressed the call button for the driver.

"Mitchell," he said. "Take the long way back."

"You got it, sir," came the voice on the other end.

With that, Leon turned his hungry eyes back to Jade.

"This is..." she said with a breathy voice as Leon set upon her with kisses. "…is this a bad idea?"

"I think it's the best idea that we've had since you walked into my office."

Jade found it hard to argue.

She closed her eyes as Leon continued to kiss her, the feeling of his lips down her neck and along her collarbone absolutely heavenly. He reached around the back of her dress, undoing the back and pulling it down slowly, revealing the ruby-red, lacy bra that she'd chosen for the evening.

"Goddamn," he said. "You're fucking gorgeous."

"Not so bad yourself," she said, running her hands through his thick, blond hair as he kissed her cleavage.

"It took every bit of restraint I had to not take you to the nearest hidden corner and fuck you right then and there."

"I think that's frowned upon in those circles," said Jade.

Leon went back to it, pulling down Jade's bra and exposing her pink nipples, now hard with arousal. He lashed the sensitive skin with licks and kisses, the sensation of his mouth on her driving Jade wild. She moaned and gasped as he attended to her breasts, making her want even more and more. Leon continued downwards, pulling Jade's dress down until it was at her waist. Leon kissed her along her flat stomach, running his hands along the curves of her hips as he did. Once the dress was down to her panties, Leon pulled the entire thing down Jade's legs, leaving her totally nude.

And once she was naked, just how Leon wanted her, he turned his attention to Jade's legs. He kissed her along the soft skin of her inner thighs, moving closer and closer to her sex. And just when the anticipation was on the verge of driving Jade totally made with passion, Leon began licking her pussy.

"Oh, fuuuck," she said, the words dripping out of her mouth like honey.

The feeling of Leon's warm tongue on her pussy pushed Jade to the brink of orgasm nearly immediately. He was beyond skilled in the oral arts, and gave her clitoris the attention that it needed. Finally, after a minute or two of licking and fingering, an orgasm ran through Jade's body, causing her to break out in a full shudder as she filled the back of the limo with moans and wails.

And by the time it faded, all she could think about was what she needed next.

Jade's hands moved all over Leon's body, getting him out of his tuxedo as fast as possible. Soon, he was down to nothing but his skin-tight black boxer-briefs, his large cock straining against the fabric. Jade slipped her fingertips down the waistband of the underwear, yanking them down Leon's legs and pulling them off, his huge member springing out. Jade felt her pussy somehow become even wetter than it was before as she took in the sight of Leon's god-like, fully nude body. She'd almost forgotten just how sexy he was. His shoulders were broad and thick, his biceps were ropy and powerful, and his chest seemed to be cut from marble. And that's not to say anything about his perfectly-sculpted abs.

Jade could hardly control herself. She lunged towards Leon's cock, taking it into her hands and wrapping her mouth around his head. She bobbed down on his prick like she'd never done with any man before, her full, wet lips moving along its many, many inches. She had a brief flashback to her first time taking his cock into her mouth, remembering just what a struggle it had been to accommodate him. But now, like remembering how to ride a bike, she was right at home with it. She sucked and stroked him, bringing Leon to the brink of orgasm.

But before he could finish, Leon gently pulled Jade up from where she sat, his cock falling out of her mouth with a slight pop. Leon grabbed Jade by the hips and tossed her back onto the soft leather of the limo's seat, her legs opening up for him instinctually. Leon climbed on top of her, gazing down at her for a moment with those stunning blue eyes of his. Leon seemed almost more like a wild animal at that moment than the cool, composed businessman that he normally was.

"You have no idea how much I've been wanting this," he said, his voice a low purr.

"Then take it," said Jade.

He didn't need to hear another word.

Wrapping his hand around the base of his cock, Leon penetrated Jade, plunging his cock into her so deeply that she felt as though she were being split in half in the best way imaginable. Once he was fully buried in her, Leon held still for the moment, and Jade savored the feeling fullness that only Leon's prick could provide for her.

Then he began thrusting, shoving his cock into her over and over again, filling Jade in a manner so satisfying that all she could do was hold onto Leon's wide, strong back so firmly that she worried she might dig her nails into his skin deep enough to draw blood. But if it hurt, Leon didn't say a word. He was totally focused on Jade, fucking her harder and harder by the moment penetrating her deeply.

"Cum in me, baby," she said, her voice breathy. "Please."

"You want me to fill you up?" he asked.

"I do, I do," she said, barely able to stand the pleasure.

"Then beg for it."

Jade didn't hesitate for a second.

"Please, please, cum in me," she said. "I need it so goddamn bad."

And right as the words left her mouth, a second orgasm exploded through her body, starting at her sex and spreading out to the tips of her limbs. And as she came, so did Leon. With a grunt, he emptied himself into her, filling her full with his cum. Jade watched as the muscles of his body tensed, his face in a tight expression of overwhelming pleasure.

Soon, Leon was spent. He collapsed at Jade's side. The two of them lay in silence for a time, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breaths. And a small smile formed on Jade's face at the thought of being filled with Leon's seed. She was satisfied beyond compare. Jade let her eyes drift to the passing city, part of her not wanting this moment to ever end.

"I'm a little hungry," said Leon. "How about you?"

"Now that you mention it," said Jade. "I could go for a bite."

"Mitchell," said Leon, pressing the speaker button once again. "Take us to Vinnie's on 70th."

"You got it," came the response.

The two of them put their clothes back one, Jade not being able to help stealing little glances of Leon's gorgeous body as he dressed. Soon, the limo came to a stop in front of a pizza place decked out in red and green décor. They climbed out of the car, stepping out into the cool evening air. Leon opened the door of the pizza shop for Jade, and as soon as she stepped in the smell of fresh pizza rushed into her nose, her mouth watering instantly.

Leon greeted the men behind the counter like old friends, and soon after a few slices of perfectly greasy pizza on a couple of paper plates were placed in front of Leon and Jade at their sidewalk table. The two of them laughed and talked as they ate, falling instantly into the sort of easy conversation that Jade had loved about their time together.

"So," said Leon, taking a sip of his soda, "what's next for the soon-to-be most famous writer in the city?"

Jade raised her eyebrows.

"Getting ahead of ourselves, are we?" she asked.

"Not at all," said Leon. "You heard how many people at the party were interested in the article. They're going to fall all over themselves buying the issue when it comes out. Soon, Jade Ingrid will be the name on all of their lips."

The idea sent a tinge of anxiety through Jade's stomach.

"But I can't think of more talented, deserving girl," said Leon. "You're about to get the life that you've worked for."

Jade, her heart full of happiness, reached over and took Leon's hand into her own.

"And you are going to be a part of that?" she asked.

"Well," said Leon. "This all started years ago with me taking you on adventures. And now, I can't think of one I want to go on more."

Jade smiled. That was that.