Sera had been given two weeks off following the Go Girl event. That would cover her mother's initial campaign push. But when Xavier called a team meeting, she knew better than to miss it even though she was technically off the clock. They'd already done the team meeting, but Xavier had wanted to talk to her and Jason.

She was still shell-shocked after what had happened at Ava's. Dylan had called Taj in for a powwow last night and after she'd left, he’d spent the remainder of the night occupying her thoughts. Although she was exhausted, there were only a few more days with him, and she didn't want to miss a single minute. It was going to hurt like hell when he left for New York. Don't think about it.

Taj packed up her laptop and notes from the meeting. "That, my friend, looks like a sex hangover. Let me guess, Delicious D didn't let you out of bed all night after I left."

"Does it show?"

"Nah, under normal circumstances, you'd look happy and relaxed. Right now you just look tired and sad, so understandable, considering."

"Awesome. I feel like the whole world knows."

"Nobody knows. Unless that heifer didn't have the good sense to keep her mouth shut. In that case I'm going to give her some of what you gave her idiotic boyfriend."

What would Sera do without Taj in her corner? She flexed her knuckles. There'd been no swelling, so it had been a clean hit. Bastard. "Whatever, I just want to get this over with so I can spend some more time with Dylan."

Taj patted her knee as Xavier walked over. “That's my cue to go. I'll check you after?"

"Yeah, let's head to Ghirardelli’s. I could use a sugar coma to forget yesterday happened."

"Done." Taj skipped out and Xavier leaned up against the floor-to-ceiling window.

"I wanted to say well done on the Go Girl event earlier this week. The client was thrilled."

Jason turned to her. "It was Sera's idea. I was just the execution guy."

"Thanks, Jason, but we pulled this off together. We make a good team."

"I'm so glad you two feel that way, because Stark has been looking to expand. We've been looking at expanding in the Los Angeles area, the Pacific Northwest, and New York."

Sera sat up. New York? Don't be ridiculous. This thing is only temporary. How would he react if she mentioned she might move to NYC? Would he be happy? Would that be too clingy? She dragged her attention back to her boss.

"We've decided on the New York strategy. We'll be opening a small skeleton crew there in about a month's time and then we'll expand into the end of the year.”

Jason asked, "Who will be opening the new office?"

Sera held her breath. Try to look nonchalant. Yeah, like that was possible.

Xavier smiled at his nephew. "Well, interesting that you should ask that, because it will be you and Sera. The two of you will also weigh in on additional team members from the other divisions to go. Ideally we'll start with a five-man team and expand from there."

Holy shit. Did she tell Dylan? And how would she feel if he wasn't happy about it? Sera sat up. "When would we have to leave?"

"Those are some details we can iron out. But ideally in about a month."

Well that was sort of a good thing, right? She at least would have time to pack up and say goodbye. Except the only person she had to say goodbye to would be Taj. That one would hurt. Unless of course she could put Taj on her team.

"Thoughts on the additional team to bring?"

That was a no-brainer. "Well, I vote Taj Jindal. She's smart and experienced. And she's been rocking it in sports for the last three years."

"I have no objection to that. Taj is good," Jason added. "And she has a background in finance, which can never hurt."

Xavier nodded. "Anybody else? What about Ava Reynolds? She's been on the operations end, but she's been asking to move into the marketing side in philanthropy."

Jason spoke up immediately. "Absolutely not. It would mess with the dynamics; she's really ambitious in a negative kind of way and she's all wrong for philanthropy. What about Mike Walsh? He's quick on his feet and salvaged two entertainment clients last year.”

Sera didn't know Mike well, but he was hard-working and, most importantly, he wasn't Ava. "I have no problem with that choice."

Xavier nodded. "Okay, I'll take your choices to the meeting with the other executives. Congratulations, you two, you'd better go pack." He strolled out of the room and Sera could only stare.

Holy shit, she was going to New York. She did want to know one thing, though. "Why did you veto Ava, Jason?"

Jason rolled his shoulders back and rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, so I might not have been entirely honest with you."

"Perfect. Just what I need right now."

"I know. But that Saturday we worked together, I was so surprised you were talking to me, so I sort of covered my ass. I remember you from the Kappa Nu party. I also remember being a total douche. I really liked you and I blew it and was pretty much too embarrassed to talk to you again. When we both started here I figured it was a chance for a clean slate."

Sera was stunned. He remembered. "I don't even know what to say."

"Nothing. You and Dylan are clearly a thing, so that's a non-starter, but about two weeks after that night at Kappa Nu, Ava came on strong at a party. She was waiting for me in my room. She wanted to hook up. And yeah, I'm a guy, so we did. But she asked me something that weirded me out after. She wanted to know if she was better than you were."

Something slimy wound its way around her heart. "What? But that's crazy. I told her what happened that night. Or rather what didn't happen."

He shrugged. "The whole thing was weird. When we all started here, she acted like I had the plague. I figured we were all getting a clean slate or something. I don't know what thing she has for you, but I know bringing her to NYC is a bad call."

“Thank you for telling me. You didn't have to."

"Well, I figure we work well together and we're going to be strangers in a new city together. Pretty much each other’s only friend. Might as well come clean."

He and Taj would be the only people she knew. Well, and Dylan, but would he be happy about her going to the city? "I guess we better pack."

"Somehow I think that is a less daunting prospect for me than for you," he laughed.

"You would be right."

Sera practically skipped to her office where she found Taj rifling through the chocolate drawer. She didn't even give Taj a chance to ask any questions. "How'd you like to come to New York?"

Taj sat silent for a minute which was saying something. Then blinked at her. "Shut up."

"Okay, then you don't want to know how I pitched you and Jason agreed, and Xavier is discussing with the execs.""

Taj stood. "Shut the hell up."

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up. I mean, I for one think this is a pretty big deal, but I'll shut up."

With a squeal Taj launched herself at Sera. And as Sera squeezed back she knew New York was just what she needed. The only question that remained was Dylan.

* * *

Jesus Christ, he was a fucking addict. Dylan watched Sera from the doorway of the kitchen, her hips rolling to the music while she made the salad at the sink.

There was something about this woman that made him buzz and hum and feel too much. At the same time, she was the only one who could calm all the turmoil inside him. All she had to do was smile and even if he felt like killing her or just tossing her over his shoulder to make her cooperate, he wanted to smile too, or laugh. Or just fucking hold her.

He'd lost it. No, his cock protested. This is what they call pussy-whipped, and he didn't give two shits about it. He just wanted back inside her.

She danced as music played and a part of him was content to just watch her. But his cock was busy calculating how much time they had before his family arrived. He checked his watch. Forty-five minutes. I can be quick, his cock offered helpfully.

No. He could not be quick, not when it involved Sera. With her, he usually wanted to keep going. He would easily forgo food just to watch her come.

"Are you going to stand there just watching me all night, or are you going to come over here and kiss me?" she called over her shoulder.

Well, that decided it. His cock jerked inside his jeans. Down, boy. At the sink, she'd washed all the butter lettuce and kale leaves. And the cucumber. He'd already done the prep of the meat earlier that day. Since they'd come back Sunday, things had been too easy between them. So simple.

And now it was no different. He looped his arms around her waist and nuzzled the back of her neck.

"Hmmm, that's nice."

Nice. He could do a hell of a lot better than nice. The rigid length of him pulsed against her ass. "How's that for nice?" He slid his hands down her taut belly to her hips and tucked her back against him, making sure she could feel every inch of him.

"Dylan, we don't have time for this. Michelle, Derek, and Kiss will be here any minute."

He nipped her earlobe. "Don't give a shit. I need you."

"Is this like how you needed me this morning? And in the shower? And in your office today?"

He nodded. Okay, so maybe he'd been unable to keep his hands off of her today. Well, fuck, since he'd met her, but that really wasn't his fault. She was so fucking sexy and he was sort of powerless against her. "Okay, so maybe that time in the shower, I just wanted to help."

Sera giggled. "Oh, was that what you called it? Helping. I seem to recall you only soaping up your favorite parts."

He grinned and rolled his hips into her. Just her scent was enough to make him lust-drunk. Right about now, he didn't give a shit if anybody called or tried to interrupt. All he could see was her. You're losing control.

He shoved the thought out of his head. He'd deal with that later. He only had a few days left with her, he was going to enjoy every second. Make every second count.

"But it's not my fault they were extra dirty," he whispered as innocently as he could. "Besides, you had fun soaping too."

She moaned low as he cupped a breast and gently rolled a nipple between his forefinger and thumb. "Would you believe I was helping?"

"Mmm, I think it's because you wanted me to wash you right here." He slid his free hand between her legs, irritated that the damn fabric was in his way.

"And what a thorough cleaning you helped me with."

"I aim to please."

"Dylan." She gasped. "We don't have time." But instead of moving away, she pushed into his hand and arched her back.

He growled low. Fuck it. Everyone could wait if they came early. "Legs apart, Serafina."

"Oh God," she moaned and complied. "The blinds are open."

Yeah, they fucking were. But he didn't really care at this point and her neighbors would have to be really straining to see over the wall. "Leave them open."

She shivered in his arms.

Dylan fumbled with his belt buckle, not taking care in unlooping his belt. Then he yanked the fabric of her long dress up. "Shit." She wasn't wearing underwear again. "Did you forget something when you got dressed, Sera?"

Her breath hitched as he smoothed his hand over her ass. "I figured we'd end up here anyway. Just figured on after dinner."

He leaned close and, keeping his voice low, said, "You planned on torturing me half the night. With my sister sitting right here?"

"You know, torture is such a strong word. I planned on making you learn a little patience."

"Jesus." Damn, he loved this woman. He froze. What? Hell. Somewhere in the last several weeks, he'd completely fallen in love with her.

She wiggled back against him. "Dylan?"

"Stop moving, Serafina." His words tore out of his chest when he realized what the warm, gushy feelings were all about. He fucking loved her. Probably had since he'd dragged her ass out of the club the first night.

She wiggled again and then tried to turn. "Did I—"

He gave her ass a quick tap with his palm and she gasped. "Didn't I tell you not to move?"

Sera sputtered out a laugh. "Did you just tap that ass?"

And just like that the fear, the tension the desire to run, all evaporated and a laugh came rushing out of him. "Woman, I'm trying to get myself under control. If you would just—"

She shook her head and relaxed her neck muscles before reaching behind her and gripping his cock. "You think too much."

With as simple stroke, she had him at her mercy. She guided him to her slick entrance. "Please. Fuck me. I don't want to wait. I promise. I'll torture you in some other way. Later. Right now, I need you inside me."

His cock jerked in her hand and she pumped him again. He'd gone from being totally in control of the situation to being at her mercy. When the tip of his cock nudged her slick opening, she hissed and his damn eyes crossed. She felt too damn good. So soft, so smooth. Smooth? When had she had time to do that?

"Sera?"

"Dylan, please."

"Hold on to the edge."

Her body relaxed and she complied. "Like this?"

"Stick out your ass more. Fuck, yes, just like that." His gaze was drawn to the flush of light red on her brown skin. "Did you like it when I spanked you just now?"

"Dylan—" He did it again.

Sera moaned low and Dylan knew he couldn't let this girl go. At least not without leaving a piece of himself behind. He slid in easily and his body vibrated with pleasure. Home.

Tight. He could feel every pulse, every contraction of her sweet, velvet sheath. He was too connected to her now. Too bonded. The breadth of emotion made him want to blurt out that he loved her, but he couldn't think about that, couldn't deal with it right now. So he focused on the lust, on the need.

He withdrew gently. Inch by inch, and Sera moaned low. "Faster."

But she wasn't in charge. She'd given him the reins. When she wanted them, he'd be happy to hand them over sometimes, but right now, like this, this was his show. He nipped her shoulder. "No, Sera, just like this. A slow quickie. Where you don't get to come unless I tell you."

Between pants, she tried to reason with him. "Not. Fair. I. Need. Just."

But he didn't listen to her. He'd give her what they needed. What they both needed. But he'd do it his way. Holding on to both her breasts as he sank into her, he fought the urge to come. The desperate, cloying need he had. He wanted her so badly. Wanted to just chase the orgasm until neither of them was of any use for a dinner party. But this was so much more than that.

But he also wanted to tell her, to show her how he felt. He wanted her to feel what he was feeling. Completely out of control terrified and desperate for him.

Sera pushed back against him and rolled her hips and the tenuous control he had on his orgasm nearly slipped, he sank in deep, retreated again. Three rapid deep strokes and he could tell she was riding that edge. Feeling the need and trying to push him to take her there.

But he made himself stop when he'd nearly pulled out of her again. "No, Sera, you can't make me rush this."

"You're killing me, Dylan."

He sank deep again and they both hissed. "You think I'm not killing myself right now?" Retreat. "You think I don't want to just fuck you until you can't walk and I have to carry you everywhere?" Stroke. "You." Oh fuck. The bliss slowly wound its way around his spine and the edges of his vision grayed. He stilled completely and she moaned. With deep breaths, he brought himself back from the edge again. Just barely. "You think I don't want to tap that ass and watch that blissed-out expression on your face? And keep doing it to see if you'll come from that?"

"Dylan."

He pressed his chest into her back. "I've never been one for submission games. But if my daring little Sera likes it, I can accommodate. I'll do just about anything if it means you'll come for me. Will you come for me, Sera?" He spanked her again when he sank deep and he knew it was the truth. She was getting off on this. But he wanted her to say it. "You like this? You want me to spank you?"

She shook her head and he spanked her again. "Try again, Sera."

"Fuck, yes. God, just, I need to come. Please. I'm begging you."

"I want to come too. I want to fill you completely, so you remember all damn day who made you feel this good."

Her only response was a shudder and a pant. She finally pushed her hips back against him and tried to snake a hand down to her clit, but he caught her hands quickly.

"Sera, what do you think you're doing?"

She laughed, but then groaned, "Trying to take matters into my own hands."

"You seem to forget, I have my own pair of handcuffs."

She stilled. "Can I use them on you?" If it was possible, more blood rushed to his cock. Why was the idea of being at her total mercy so fucking hot to him? He pulled out all the way, then drove back in. "Whatever you want. I'll give it to you. I just want to come, damn it."

He shook his head. "We’re not done, Sera. You can be patient. I promise, it'll feel good. I'll give you what you want. It'll feel so good. But you need to be a little patient for me."

Outside, a couple walked past the fence and she stilled. He clamped a hand over her mouth before driving in again. They must have heard her low moan because they both looked around. He could see the tops of their heads, but they still couldn't see over the privacy fence. Though, if they looked through the slats, they'd see her bent over the sink. And him kissing her ear. Would they be able to tell what they were doing? He could give a fuck. But the idea made his skin tight. Sera licked his hand and he loosened his grip. When she sucked one of his fingers into her mouth, he watched her reflection in the window and his knees about buckled. Remembering what she'd done to him in his office.

He smacked her ass again. She bit his finger. "Fuck, Serafina," he growled out.

"Make me come and I won't bite you."

"You are the most stubborn woman I've ever fucking met." He punctuated each phrase with an increased thrust. "You'll have your turn. Later."

There she was, the tiny quivers that always alerted him to an impending orgasm. Without the condom, it felt fucking unbelievable, but now he knew there was no fucking way in hell he could hold off. Knew that he couldn't withstand her pussy milking him. Sucking him in to the depths of bliss. There was no way; he'd come, deep inside her. Filling her with his come.

Oh hell, that fucking image. The hold on his control dissipated and he gritted his teeth. "Hold the edge.”

She was wetter than he'd ever felt her. Her body, more than primed, more than ready. As he increased his pace, making them both gasp. And cry out. They'd lost all concern for who could hear them. A few other people walked by the house and looked over. It just made him hotter seeing them lean over and whisper. They knew what they were doing. No one could see them properly, but everyone knew that she was his. He slid their hands together to her clit and glided over the sensitive bundle of nerves in tandem as he gripped her hips and sank into her again and again.

It only took two flicks of their fingers and she flew apart around him. Squeezing his cock with her inner muscles. Her legs shook, but she stayed standing. And he continued to pump. “One more, Sera. Give me one more. I need to feel you again.”

"I…can't…too much."

But he canted her hips just so and she stiffened with a scream that the neighbors had to have noticed. Oh hell yes. She was so beautiful with her mouth open and her eyes wide, meeting his gaze in the reflection. With her gaze locked on his, he finally let go and fell into her, his orgasm rocking his whole body as he dove head-first into love.

* * *

Sera adjusted her dress over her still-wet legs. Fastest shower in the record of man. Mostly because she'd locked the door to keep Dylan out. That man. What they'd done in the kitchen. That was some—wow, next-level kind of sex.

She heard the shower turn off and she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. He was so different when he was with her. Relaxed and funny. He had barely put on his robot suit in days. He was the last kind of guy she thought she'd want, but after what they'd just done, he was exactly what she wanted. You're not keeping him. He's leaving and you don't know where you'll be in a year.

Truth on all accounts. She'd try to keep it light. Enjoy him. Get all the great sex she was going to get. The worst thing she could do was try to turn this into something. Especially since he'd been clear that his career came first.

That didn’t feel like his career coming first. No that had felt like, love. Dirty and uncontrolled and desperate, but it was in the way he looked at her when he slid in to her. Don't confuse love with lust. Hadn't she made that mistake before?

No, stop. No Aaron thoughts. She wasn't not going to ruin a good night with thinking about him anymore. When the doorbell rang, she called out, "I'll get it."

On the other side of the door stood a pretty brunette with wide, green eyes and a full smile. "Hi, I'm Michelle, I'm looking for Dylan Donovan."

"Hi, I'm Sera. Come on in. We were just getting dinner together. Well, mostly Dylan. Because he won't let me cook."

"Wow, great boyfriend, huh?"

"Uh, yeah." No. That wasn't awkward at all. Especially not with Dylan standing in the living room.

He stood awkwardly for a minute. "Hi, Michelle. I'm Dylan…your brother.”

She waved and lingered in the doorway and Sera sighed. It didn't need to be this awkward.

"Okay, guys, this is all a bit odd, but you need to loosen up or dinner is going to feel this bad all night. Dylan, get over here, hug your sister. Michelle, give me your sweater. I like to keep it hot in here. Something Dylan has grown to appreciate."

The confidence that Dylan carried around like second skin slipped a little as he walked toward his sister. But Michelle took a deep breath then wrapped her arms around him. His eyes went wide, but then he followed suit.

Sera opted to give them a minute and went to put Michelle's sweater in her bedroom. On her bed sat her phone with five texts from Ava. She promptly hit delete before heading back out. Dylan had managed to pour Michelle some cider and she was talking about her last class of the day.

After pouring herself a glass of wine, Sera jumped up on the counter and smiled at Michelle. "Dylan tells me you're a nursing student. Do you like it?"

"Yeah, you know, it’s not bad. But I started thinking that maybe I should have gone to med school. You know, even with all the loans and stuff."

"You're in your undergrad, right? Not too late to switch."

"Yeah, I don't know. With all Mom's issues, I thought maybe it was better to do the easy thing. In case she needed me and stuff."

"It's a tough choice, but I'm pretty sure she'd want you to do what made you happy."

The gate bell rang. As Dylan ran to let in his brother and Kiss, Sera took Michelle's hand. "It's okay. It's family. You're lucking out."

As Sera watched the introductions, she couldn't ignore the pang of jealousy. This was what she would have wanted for Malcolm and herself. She wanted to be part of the loud boisterous bunch called the Donovans. She wanted Derek to be her brother and Kiss and Jezzie to be her sisters-in-law.

Before she could publicly surrender to the prick of tears behind her lids, she excused herself. She didn’t need Dylan to see how much she cared about him. He'd made it clear from the beginning what he wanted, and it wasn't her.