It's a rainy, cold day, but you wouldn't know that from the warm yellow lights and the body heat in this amphitheater. I've played a lot of packed rooms in my life, but I've never been this excited.

Been in the crowd at a lot of shows, but this is my favorite by a landslide.

There's a long line of students in purple robes and caps, but it's still easy to pick out Violet. Her short strawberry blond hair catches all the light in the room. Her heeled boots peek out from under her robe.

She's getting her master's degree.

Then she's done with school.

It was hell touring without her by my side, wanting my arms around her, wanting her in my bunk every night. I missed her like I miss my guitar when it's getting restrung.

But it was heaven too, knowing I'd call her before my head hit the pillow. Most nights we were so tired we only managed to say good night, I love you, but that's more than enough.

I've been in New York since the tour ended. We've packed all of Violet's things and shipped most of them home.

She's back in southern California indefinitely.

She doesn't start her job until July.

That leaves us a month and a half together, to do whatever the fuck we want, wherever the fuck we want.

Have a lot of ideas about where and how I want to fuck Vi.

At the moment, I can't consider them in detail. Her parents are next to me and, somehow, they're even prouder of her than I am.

The dean calls her name. "Violet Valentine, Master’s in Mathematics."

Even from all the way up here, I can tell nerves are taking hold of her body. She moves across the stage slowly. Then she's shaking the dean's hand, taking her diploma, smiling as wide as she's ever smiled before.

We went through a hell of a lot of pain to get to this moment. We made a lot of mistakes, me especially.

Right now, none of that matters.

The only thing that matters is the joy in her expression.

Vi has what she wants.

And I have her.

And that matters more than the band, more than music, more than anything.

* * *

After dinner, we walk Violet's parents back to their hotel. They give her a thousand hugs before they finally drag themselves to the elevator.

I don't blame them for lingering in their goodbyes.

But that doesn't change that Violet is mine for the rest of the night.

We walk outside hand in hand. It's not raining anymore but the air is still damp. The sky is a deep royal blue, brightened by all the lights of the city.

New York really is a hell of a city. I've been here a dozen times, but I've never appreciated it the way I do when I'm with Violet.

I don't appreciate anything the way I do when I'm with Violet.

I slide my arms around her waist and pull her body into mine. "You did it."

"I did."

"Violet Valentine, Master of Mathematics."

"Master of smoky eye." She points to her cocoa eye makeup. "I think Mom was happy I toned it down."

"Your mom is happy you got your master's degree."

She smiles. "Yeah?"

"You really doubt that?"

She shakes her head. "No, I know she is. It's overwhelming how supportive they are." She looks up at me. "And you being here… Thank you, Ethan. I… God, we really fucked this up last time I was graduating."

"Yeah, we did. Me especially."

"But me too. Both of us. I'm glad we got past it. I love you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I love you too."

I press my lips to hers. I mean it to be a sweet kiss, but my body has other ideas.

I dig my fingers into her hips and hold her body against mine. She's soft and pliable, and her kiss is hungry.

She needs this as much as I do.

More even.

Her mouth parts for my tongue. Her hands dig into my hair.

She wants to give herself to me.

Fuck, how I want to take her.

Need to move this somewhere private or I'm going to take her right here, against the hotel's marble wall.

Violet pulls back with a sigh. "It's a million miles back to the apartment."

"Ever come in a taxicab?"

She blushes.

"A limo?"

She shakes her head.

"Good thing we have a room." I point to the hotel next door.

Her eyes light up. She drags her hand to my palm and squeezes tight. "Okay, I'm not smooth. Hurry up. I need to fuck you." With her free hand, she tugs at my tie. "It's wrong how hot you look in your suit."

"Is it?"

She nods. "You look like the kind of guy I'd bring home to meet my parents."

"We just had dinner with your parents."

"And you were perfect, and sweet, and you didn't even blink at Mom dropping all those hints about how it would be okay if I moved out." Her brow furrows the way it does when she's making a decision. Then she shakes her head. "Less talk, more sex."

I'm not arguing with that.

I pull our room key from the pocket of my slacks, slide my arm around her waist, and lead her through the lobby. It's a nice hotel, but I can't say I notice anything about the decor.

The only thing I see is Violet—

The need in her green eyes.

The flush spreading over her cheeks and chest.

The way her tight purple dress— the exact shade of her graduation robe—hugs her curves.

The elevator doors open.

I whisk her inside and pin her to the wall. I don't even check to make sure we're alone.

My tongue claims her mouth. My hand slides under her skirt and over the curve of her ass.

Violet groans, shifting her hips against mine.

Nobody is coughing or telling us to get the fuck off each other. We must be alone.

Either way—

I pull her closer as she grinds against me. Fuck, the friction is divine. My cock is screaming to be inside her.

Not yet.

Not until she's begging me for it.

The elevator dings and she pulls back.

We are alone in here.

Violet lets out a needy sigh. "Ethan…" Her expression is a plea.

She is begging.

But I have to get to the fucking hotel room before I give her what we both want.

It's hard to walk with the way my cock is turning my slacks into a tent. I manage to do it long enough to whisk Violet inside our room.

Again, I pin her to the wall. I don't even look at the room. I've already got my eyes closed and my lips glued to hers.

Violet's moans vibrate against my cheeks and chest. She spreads her legs then hooks one around my hips. Her back arches. Her lips part.

I lost her once.

Almost did it a second time.

Right now, there isn't a doubt in my mind. Violet is mine.

Fuck, I'm the luckiest guy in the universe.

Violet tugs at the knot of my tie. She pulls back with a heavy sigh. "How the fuck does this work?"

"Your dad tied this for me."

"He did not."

I nod. "I haven't worn a suit since Piper's graduation."

"Before that?"

"Not sure I ever wore a suit before that."

She runs her fingers over my suit jacket. Her eyes meet mine. "You bought this for me?"

I nod.

"Really?"

"I'd do a lot more than that for you, Vi." I undo the knot of my tie—I do know that much—and pull it off. Then I lose the jacket.

Violet's eyes light up. She undoes my belt and pushes my slacks off my hips.

I take my time with my shirt. Her eyes go wider with every button I undo. Fuck. I'll never get tired of the way she looks at me like she wants me more than she's ever wanted anything.

There. I kick off my shoes and socks and step out of my slacks.

I'm in only my boxers and Violet's still dressed.

Can't have that.

She hugs her chest. Her lips press together.

She's nervous.

But why?

"Ethan, I… I have to show you something." She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "It's good."

"It involve you taking off that dress?"

She nods. "And my bra."

"Then it's fucking great." The promise of her naked makes it hard to focus on whatever this surprise is.

But I can tell this is important. I focus on her gorgeous green eyes.

She takes another deep breath then she does away with her dress.

She's in a matching bra and panty set. It's lacy and red. Pretty sure it's designed to drive me out of my fucking mind.

The way it hugs her chest and hips…

My tongue slides over my lips. She needs to be naked. She needs to be on that bed with her legs spread, screaming my name as she comes on my face.

She exhales slowly.

Okay, one thing at a time.

I meet her gaze. She's still nervous but she's excited, too.

Her cheeks flush red as she undoes her bra and lets it fall off her chest. She turns and pulls her arm away from her side.

There, on her ribs, is a tattoo of a skeleton key. The same one I have tattooed on my chest, only with my name instead of hers.

My name is on her body.

Fuck.

"Vi…" I run my fingers over the ink. "When did you—"

"Yesterday." She turns to look at me. Her voice is needy. "Do you like it."

"I love it."

"Yeah?"

"I love it more than I love my guitar."

"Really?"

"Not sure there are words to express how much I love it." I scoop her into my arms. "Gonna have to use my body to express how much I love it."

She giggles as she slides her arms around my shoulders. Her legs hook around my waist.

This is a nice hotel room—a suite with all the amenities—but right now I only care about the bed.

It takes a dozen steps to get there. Violet squeals with glee as I lay her on her back. She looks up at me with all the trust in the world.

There's no more nervous energy on her face.

Just desire.

I tug her panties to her feet then watch as they fall on the ground. I take my time dragging my fingertips up her thighs. Her skin is soft and every brush of my hands makes her tremble.

God, I could tease her all night.

Well, almost all night.

I plant my body between her legs. Her skin tastes even better than it feels. And the way she groans when I nip at the flesh of her inner thighs.

Fuck.

Violet's hand digs into my hair. Her hips buck. "Ethan… Please…"

I bite her inner thigh.

She groans with an equal mix of pleasure and pain.

I do it again, again, again. Until her thighs are shaking.

Until I can't stand teasing her anymore.

My mouth closes over her. She tastes so fucking good. And the way her thighs press against my ears.

She marked her body for me.

The thought of it spurs me on. My mouth is greedy.

I taste every inch of her.

Tease every inch of her.

Then I suck on her clit until she's screaming and tugging at my hair.

"Ethan, fuck. Oh God…" She screams my name again and again as she comes.

That's not enough.

I need to hear it again.

I give her a few moments to catch her breath then I lick her.

She groans with a delicious mix of agony and ecstasy.

I lick Violet again and again. Her thighs are glued to my head. She screams my name.

I don't stop until she's tugging at my hair.

"You need to be inside me," she breathes.

Yes, I do.

I plant my body on top of hers. She's not patient. She reaches down to wrap her hands around my cock. That's enough to drive me out of my mind.

She guides our bodies together.

Fuck, she's soft. Warm. Wet.

But this is more than physical.

It's me and Vi.

It's fucking everything.

I hold her gaze as I drive into her with deep, steady strokes. She reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. Her gaze is as soft and affectionate as her touch.

Fuck, she feels so good.

But I can't come until she does.

I unhook our bodies to flip Violet over. She laughs as she stumbles and falls flat on her face.

I help her into position on her hands and knees. Her ass lifts as she spreads her knees.

She's opening herself for me.

Offering herself to me.

My hands go to her hips. In one swift movement, I thrust into her. Once I've got my rhythm, I bring my hand to her clit and I stroke her.

"Come for me, Vi," I order.

She lets out a low, deep groan. "Fuck. Ethan…"

I stroke her until I can feel her pulsing around me.

Her contractions pull me deeper. I bring my hands back to her hips and I soak in the sight of her body in front of me.

A few more thrusts and I'm there. Pleasure grabs hold of me. Everything feels so fucking good.

I let out a deep animal groan as I come.

Violet rocks her hips against mine. She moans louder. Deeper.

She tugs at the soft cotton sheets.

Every muscle in my body relaxes as pleasure spreads to my limbs. Fuck, I needed that, needed her.

Violet collapses on the bed. She rolls over onto her side and peeks one eye open. Her lips curl into a smile.

I lay next to her. I can't help myself. I have to kiss her.

All of my love pours into her.

All of her love pours into me.

This is fucking heaven.

Slowly, Violet blinks her eyes open. She runs her fingers through my hair.

Her lips curl into a smile.

"I should shower before I fall asleep," she whispers.

"You're not sleeping until you come again."

"Then you're racing against time." She pushes herself up. "I'm going to drop next time my face hits the pillow."

"Guess I'll have to pin you to the wall."

She blushes. "I guess you will." She moves to the bathroom but she lingers in the door frame.

I shift off the bed. "I have a present for you."

"Yeah?" Her eyes light up. She tries to play cool but fails miserably. "What could it be?" She jumps forward. "Can I see?"

I find the present in the dresser drawer. There it is, under my pajamas.

Fuck, it's my turn to be nervous.

I fight a blush as I hand the small gift box over to Violet.

She looks up at me, then her green eyes are back on the gift. She pulls the top off.

Slowly, she pulls the key from the box.

"I got a place in Newport Beach. It's five minutes from your office." I move closer. Close enough to take her into my arms. "A two-bedroom. That's your key."

"My key?"

I nod. "It's our place if you want it to be."

"You're asking me to move in with you?"

"Yeah."

Her smile spreads over her cheeks. "Really?"

"About time we stop living with our parents."

She laughs. "What about Piper being alone?"

"She has Mal."

"Gonna be easier for her to get in Kit's pants without you around to stop it."

"Not funny."

"Then why are you smiling?" She drags her fingertips over my cheeks. "Can I paint the walls black?"

"Do you even want to paint the walls black?"

She shrugs, playing coy. "Can I?"

"Black's a little much."

"How about purple?"

"How about I throw you against the wall and make you come?"

"Is that a yes?"

"You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Valentine."

She smiles.

"I can drive a hard bargain too." I slide my hand around her hips to pull her against my erection.

She looks up at me with a needy sigh.

I nod. "Are you saying yes?"

She nods. "Yes, I'd love to move in with you."

"You can paint the walls rainbow for all I care, Vi. As long as I can come home to you every night, I don't give a fuck what color the walls are." I press my lips to hers.

When the kiss breaks, she lets out a heavy sigh. "What was that about a hard bargain?"

I can't help but laugh. Violet really isn't smooth.

But that's one of the eight million things I love about her.

I scoop her into my arms and pin her to the wall.

I am a man of my word.