It takes me an hour, but I finally finish getting the condo set up exactly as I want it. Rose petals create a path from the door to the living room and continue straight onto our bed. Battery-operated tealights illuminate the petal path, while real candles burn on every open surface of the apartment.

Our relationship is out in the open—and my parents appear to have accepted it. Mama will take a bit more convincing, but having Daddy on our side is a huge win. None of this would have happened if Erik hadn’t fished me out of a swimming pool. If there was ever a reason to have an over-the-top romantic celebration, I’d say that’s a good one.

I’ve just finished sliding a nude gloss on my lips that makes them appear sexy and pouty, when I hear Erik unlocking the door. My heart pounds with excitement and anticipation, thinking about how he’ll receive my surprise.

“What’s all this?” he asks.

“If it weren’t for you, I’d be an angel up in heaven,” I say as I walk from the bedroom out to the living room. “To celebrate, I decided to be your angel here on earth.”

“Awww, babe, that’s—” He stops dead in his tracks when he glances up. His eyes bulge and his jaw drops. It’s the exact reaction I wanted when I chose my outfit—a headband halo made of silver garland and white lace everything else, from my matching bra-and-panty combo to the top of my thigh-high stockings.

“Holy fuck, Madeline.” His hockey bag slides off his shoulder and hits the floor with a thud. He crosses the room in three strides and grabs my hips. “Holy fuck,” he repeats, his breath increasing as he takes in every inch of me.

He smells fresh and clean, straight from the shower. Inhaling lifts my chest, which catches Erik’s eye. He lowers his head and kisses my neck, then trails his mouth to my breasts. His hand cups the underside and one boob spills out. He covers my nipple with his mouth and sucks gently. Then he grazes his teeth over it and I arch into him.

He pulls back, biting his bottom lip as he devours me with his eyes. “You’re absolutely gorgeous,” he whispers reverently. His hands slide up and down my thighs. One finger dips under my thong and he groans. “I need to taste you now.”

Erik drops to his knees, pushes the fabric away, and begins to lick between my legs. I swallow hard and squeeze my eyes shut, praying I can stay standing when he goes harder. He wraps one arm around my legs, holding me firm, as the other hand pushes down his pants and boxer briefs. My fingers curl into his hair while my pelvis grinds against his face.

It doesn’t take long for me to fall over the edge. Erik releases the grip on my legs and I wobble. He grabs my hips to hold me steady and rises to his feet. After kicking his clothes off, he backs me up until we fall onto the bed together. He reaches for the handle to the nightstand drawer, but I stop him, flipping him onto his back and climbing on top. He watches, breathing heavily, as I lean down, kissing a trail from his muscular chest to his flat stomach.

When I reach the promised land, I cup his balls gently and fondle them between my fingers. He moans, lifting his hips slightly. Then I take his long, hard cock in my hand and starting sliding up and down, squeezing and pumping, faster and faster. His breath increases, getting heavier the faster I go. I wrap my mouth around his cock and slide down as far as I can until the tip hits the back of my throat. After pulling off completely, I spit on his dick to get it nice and wet and do it again. Soon, my mouth matches the rhythm of my hand, which makes Erik shout, “Fuck! I’m gonna come.”

I remove my mouth, despite his groan of protest, and grab a condom out of the nightstand. I’ve never rolled one on so quickly, but I want him to come inside me, so I have to be fast. Once the condom is in place, I slide onto his dick and ride him hard. The friction of my clit rubbing against his pelvic bone, brings me to another orgasm within seconds.

“Fuck!” we roar at the same time, as we climax together. When it’s over, I collapse onto Erik’s chest. He hugs me to him, allowing me to calm my racing heart in the comfort of his arms.

After taking a minute to clean up, we crawl back into bed and snuggle into each other. I throw one leg over his and rest my head on his chest. We lie there, basking in the comfortable quiet. The beat of his heart lulls me into a sleepy haze.

“Maddie, we need to talk about something,” Erik says in a soft voice, breaking the silence.

“What is it?” Butterflies flit around my stomach in anticipation, wondering what he wants to talk about. I’m hoping he’ll propose. His work permit expires soon, and we have no clue how long he has in the country after that. He could be deported once his time is up.

We’re well-aware that marriage won’t keep him here, but it certainly doesn’t hurt his chances. Especially since the sham that started as a way to get him to stay in the country turned into real, lasting love. Some people might say it was fast, but we have a history. A love story that started years ago, blossoming over the last several months. There’s nothing fake—or illegal—about it.

“I love you, Madeline. Please know that.” He squeezes me to his chest.

“I know you do,” I say tentatively. It doesn’t sound like this will be a good conversation. “I love you too.”

“I’m moving to Prague at the end of the month.”

Using his chest to brace my hands, I bolt upright. “What do you mean? Did you get notified? Are you being deported?”

Erik sits up, taking my hands in his. “No.”

“Well, then what do you mean, you’re moving to Prague?” My voice cracks and my body shakes. He squeezes my hands.

“I have to leave the country if I ever want to become a citizen.” Erik eyes are glassy, but he doesn’t take his gaze from mine. “You know that. We’ve talked about it.”

I nod.

“I don’t know how any of this works, but I figure, if I do this now, on my own terms, maybe that will help me get back into the country sooner.”

It makes sense but I don’t want to hear it. We’ve been so focused on how to keep him here, we never discussed what would happen if he had to leave—or, in this case, if he chose to leave.

“What if you never get deported? Think about how many people are here illegally? Why would you choose to go when you aren’t being kicked out?” I can’t keep the hysterical shrill out of my voice.

“Because I want to do this right. I don’t want to live in hiding or in fear. I don’t want to be afraid to check the mail or answer the door. But mostly—I don’t want to lie anymore.”

“Is this a lie? Are we a lie?”

“No.” Erik wraps his arms around me and pulls me to his chest. “We are not a lie. We are the reason I’m doing this. The faster I can get back to this country, the faster I can be with you, forever, without any obstacles in our way.”

The tears spill over my cheeks and onto his chest. “Isn’t there any other way?” I plead, though I know the answer. We’ve exhausted every possible avenue. All roads lead to the same answer.

Erik lifts my chin so we’re staring into each other’s eyes. “You are the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known. Whether we had fallen in love or not, you chose to do something completely selfless. Illegal”—he chuckles—“but selfless, just to help me. You stood up for what you thought was right. You’re strong and brave, and you have the most beautiful heart. I’m thankful each day that you are in my life.”

“I must be a mirror—because that’s what I see in you, Erik. You are the most honest man I’ve ever met. You have integrity and courage. And I love that you can’t be bought or bribed. As much as it will hurt to say goodbye to you, I know you have to go. And I’m actually so proud of you,” I say, as the tears flow again. “I’m wrecked.” I smile. “But I’m proud of the man you are.”

“Jesus.” Erik blinks a few times. Is he crying? I’ve never seen him cry—not even at Rusty’s funeral. “I don’t want to break up, Maddie. I mean, I know that I can’t ask you to put your life on hold, but—”

“We’re not breaking up,” I agree. “We’re going to utilize every damn form of social media there is to stay in touch.”

“Mmmmmm.” Erik drops his mouth to my neck, kissing his way to my earlobe before taking it in his teeth and tugging gently. “Maybe some sexy times over Skype?”

“That sounds fun,” I say, tilting my head so he has better access to the sweet spot.

“We’ve got one month to see me off with a bang.”

“We can bang wherever you want, sugar.”

He lifts his head, showing me a silly grin and wide eyes. “On your desk at the office?”

“Absolutely.”

“But first…” His mouth presses against mine and I fall back onto the bed. He climbs on top, gliding his palm across my cheek and through my hair, while gazing into my eyes. “I love you, Madeline. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

A tear slips out and slides down my temple and onto the pillow below me.

This may be the end of what we have right now, but it’s not the end of us. If I could make a long-distance relationship work with a man I didn’t even like, I can certainly make it work with the man I love.