She gasped, a delicate flush warming her cheeks. Her parted lips somersaulted my stomach.

“I need you so damn much.” My voice was rough and ragged.

“I need you, too,” she breathed.

My skin stretched across my bones, becoming hypersensitive and aware. I wanted nothing more than her fingertips on my arms, my face, my cock.

“Come closer, Art. You can’t do too much when there’s a whole room between us.” Cleo tiptoed forward in her sexy high heels.

The svelte muscles in her legs dragged a groan from me. “Shit, you’re beautiful.”

Her eyes hooded. “And you’re ridiculously handsome.”

My fingers sparked, already drunk with expectation of stroking her. “You’re killing me.” I took another step.

And another.

With each one my headache pounded but it couldn’t compete with the throbbing in my cock. Slowly, the distance shortened until the air crackled with intensity. For a second, I feared what would happen when we finally did touch. We would ignite, spark, and devour each other in a fit of carnal explosion.

There was another reason why I needed her right here. Right now. One that I would never admit aloud. Tonight was about paperwork and media. But tomorrow …

Tomorrow was about bullets and blood.

It’s motherfucking war.

Rubix’s time was up.

The battle was locked and my time with Cleo was fast ticking to either retribution or death.

“How?” she murmured. “How am I killing you when you’re making me come so alive?”

Another step.

My heart clamored against my ribs. “You’re killing me because without you, I’m so damn alone. I look back on the past eight years and wonder how the hell I survived without you. My fucking sanity depends on you. My self-worth, my happiness, my purpose in this life—all hinge on you.”

What the fuck?

I hadn’t meant to spew such debilitating truth. She didn’t need to know just how broken I was with missing her. She didn’t need to guess how close I was to losing it when faced with war tomorrow and no crystal ball on how it would go.

Before she came back into my life, I would’ve gladly died if it meant I had my revenge. But now … now I wanted to fucking live.

Running a hand through my hair, I yanked at the hair tie and destroyed the ponytail. I tried to get myself together.

Don’t let her guess. Hold her. Fuck her. But don’t let her guess.

She took another step, her face soft and eyes glossy. “You’ll never lose me, Art. Not again.”

An ache sucker punched me in the chest. “I wish that could be true.” The constant headache that never left drained me suddenly. My ears ricocheted with the phantom sounds of bullets. I licked my lips. “Come here.”

She obeyed.

We met in the middle of the carpet. We stared but didn’t touch. We breathed but didn’t speak. The tension sprung tighter until the hairs on the back of my neck stood up with need.

We were so close, but still so far apart.

“Goddammit, come closer.” I grabbed her around the nape and smashed my lips to hers. The moment I touched her, the world incinerated.

There was no world rehabilitation. No upcoming battle. It was just us for eternity.

Her lips opened, welcoming me into her mouth as I walked her backward to the couch at the end of the bed. I didn’t go for the mattress. What I needed wasn’t long drawn out nakedness. I needed to be inside her now. Instantly. That very fucking second.

She was taller in her heels, her hands able to capture my cheeks without straining. Her warm touch sent my heart scattering and I groaned as her tongue massaged mine.

We didn’t stop kissing even as the back of her knees hit the couch and almost sent her sprawling from my hold. Spinning her around, I pressed her stomach against the high rolled arms of the settee and rocked my dick against her. “Feel how much I need you?” Trailing my fingers down her back, I traced the zipper, dropping to the stiff skirts below.

“I want you to submit to me. Let me take you this way.”

Her head hung forward, her fingers digging into the purple fabric of the furniture as I swooped up beneath her dress and grabbed the thin lace around her hips. Tugging her underwear down, I fumbled with my trousers and belt.

It took me two seconds to unbutton, unzip, and yank out my cock. I gritted my teeth as I touched myself, so damn ready for a release.

My eyes bruised with the overwhelming headache, growing worse with every second. My heartbeat refused to tame, thundering faster and faster.

Cleo moaned as I tossed up the bottom of her dress, wedging my naked cock against her overheated thighs.

Her back arched. “Yes. Take me.”

“Will you submit?” I drove against her again. Pre-cum shot up my dick, smearing on her perfect ass.

Will you give me this memory in case it’s the last one I have?

“God, yes. I’ll submit. I’ll do whatever you want me to.”

“You’re incredible.” I fisted my length, sliding deep inside her. No foreplay, no warning. The slickness of her desire let me enter smoothly with no restriction. Her body melted with welcome.

“Shit, you feel so good.”

She folded deeper into the couch, giving in to me. Her hips rocked, forcing herself harder onto my length.

“Goddammit, Cleo.” My fingernails pinched her hips, holding her still. “You do that and I’ll embarrass myself in seconds.”

She laughed quietly. “Embarrass away. I don’t think I can handle too much of this.” Her forehead bunched with pleasure. “It feels too good.”