Knock. Knock. Knock. All of my movements stop at the sound coming from my front door. My heart quickens it's pace and begins to thump so loudly in my ears that I am unsure if it's just all in my head. Can the neighbors hear this? Surely they can't. I finish rolling the thin camisole down my upper half before I quickly stick my feet into my slippers. In a rush, I walk through the dim corridor, and the living area. I hit the light switches as I come through, knowing that Xyle doesn't like the dark. I let out a cool breath before opening the door, seeing the man who's draped in a heavy jacket and dark jeans, no rips. I look at his face, shortly gawking over his gray eyes and lashes.

My eyes flutter, my eyelashes batting due to my shyness as I look up at him. He's holding a large pizza box, that is splaying across his left arm, his right arm completely free and hanging. "Hi" I whisper, the intense feeling of coy washing over me.

The muscles in his cheeks gain a peachy color as they rise, his eyes shining a bit. "Hi" he returns my same shy tone. It makes me smile even more. He's toying with me. "I want to kiss you, but by the way you ran me out of here this morning without at least hugging me goodbye makes me think you don't want me to. It's perfectly fine if you don't, I understand that you have been through a lot... I-I mean not a lot, I have no clue what it is but you've told me that it's trauma, a-and that it was sexual trauma- sorry, I don't mean to bring that up, I'm sure the last thing you want to think about right now is your trauma-"

I see that he's at a crossroads with his words. My smile never leaves my face as I step closer and place my hand around his firm bicep. All of him is muscle, I wonder what he looks like completely naked. I bet he is as dreamy as he was last night with only tight, black boxer briefs on. I stand on my toes and lift my head to place a kiss right at the corner of his mouth, only missing his lips by half an inch. Our height is to blame.

He seizes his words at once. He stops and looks down at me. I am impressed with the way he is able to just stop his crazy rambling so quickly and stop to breathe in. The kiss may not have been much, but I'm sure it was as assuring as I tried to make it. His gray eyes spiral. He burns into my brown ones.

"I don't think about all those bad things when I'm with you. It doesn't exist when you're near" I say with a low tone. "And I'm sorry for pushing you out this morning. I got all in my head and started to think about how you perceived me. It's silly now that you're here again, but I sort of panicked" I tell him exactly what I felt this morning. I know it isn't right to push him away, but I've never had a healthy start of a potential relationship. I have to learn how to keep it healthy.

I can hear the harsh swallow he takes. It's makes his Adam's apple move low before going back into place. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. You've mistaken me for someone who doesn't respect women, who doesn't respect you. I'm here to convince you, and I'll do whatever it takes, because it does not feel good to have the person you're trying to build with shut you out. So please let's have a conversation with an open mind. I know it may be hard, but I'm willing to sit here for hours until you talk to me about why you think the way you do. It'll help me understand you more and not be so consumed in my feelings when you throw me out again". Build. With me.

My words completely fail me as I look at him. His face is only fixed into an expression of implore. I nod, swallowing as I fight the burn in my eyes and throat. He's right. I should at least try to talk to him so that communication isn't a barrier between us.

I smile despite the feeling. "I think you like seeing me cry" I joke with a light heart. He's seen me cry too many times, and it's so soon. Its a bit embarrassing for me to be this way.

He shakes his head, his face going as serious as it can be. "I'd much rather see you smile than cry. I don't ever want to see you cry, but in those cases where you do I will attempt to cheer you up. I'm willing to do that for you, Celeste" he tells me. My chest caves in a bit. He's serious. He's intense. He's willing.

I nod to him, my words failing me again. I move to the side a bit and let him into my home so that he isn't standing on the other side of the threshold anymore. As he walks past me I can smell his masculine, exquisite, sexy smell that makes my knees threaten to buckle. I turn around and close the front door and subtly bite my lip. My feelings about him are strong already, and with the intense feeling between my legs he gave me last night, I know everything will be great with him. I don't let this swamp my mind. I turn around to see him setting the pizza box down onto the counter. Even with his back turned he's so sexy. It's weird. Have I always thought this way? I don't think I have. Especially since I was dating guys and not seeing him.

I walk over to where he is and stand at his side, gazing up at him. He opens the pizza and doesn't quite catch my staring until he notices something what he's missing. "We need..." he turns to me with a small smirk on his face. He adjusts so his entire body is turned towards mine, and lifts his hand to touch my cheek. I temporarily close my eyes and fall into it before opening them and seeing him gazing as well. "What is it that you're thinking right now?" He asks me. I smile, shrugging.

His smile changes into something different. He angles his head towards the right as he doesn't believe me. "I don't want you shy around me. Tell me" he nudges. I can not tell him yet.

"It's a little too late for that, Xyle" I say.

He raises both of his eyebrows. "I see" he starts "Fine. I won't read your body language that tells me that you're aching to be kissed. I'll leave you in pure agony" he pulls away and goes to a cabinet. I watch as he pulls down two plates for the both of us.

I pout, hearing his words. "How come you're not calling me baby?" I ask, curious. He always calls me that, or some other weird name that I can't remember. I think he says fayre?

"So you do like it" he announces.

I stay quiet as he puts two slices of pizza on a plate and gives it to me. I quickly turn and go into the living area. I can hear him let out a soft chuckle as he fixes food for himself. I pull my legs onto the couch and in less than a minute he's sitting beside me and burning the right side of my face. Why is he staring at me?

"Should we talk now or after we're done eating?" He asks after a few moments of silence and munching. I think on his words.

I adore that he's put thought into what I've gone through and wants me to share it with him. "What do you want to know?".

He chews for a moment, looking into my eyes. "Who's made you feel so untrustworthy of men?" He asks. Staring off big.

I look away from him as I take a bite out of my pizza. "His name is Sebastian". Even saying his name hurts me a bit.

He inhales. "Thank you for telling me. Is it okay if I ask more?" He says gently. I give him a small nod to answer him.

"I want to know your story with him. You can leave out the bits you don't want to speak about with me just yet".

I blink my eyes, feeling a wave of wounds burn into my soul. "I met Seb- Sebastian when I was eighteen..." I start. "I met him through a friend of a friend, who I'm no longer in touch with".

I sit my half eaten pizza onto my plate and dust my hands off. "He was like a dream come true, especially for me. He was my first real boyfriend, and I fell madly in love with him so soon. He taught me how to kiss, he taught me how to make myself feel good... I mean, I had full trust in him" I recall how it felt with Sebastian. Everything felt so beautiful, I felt so beautiful around him. He would kiss me every chance he got, tell me he loved me, and how we would have kids together one day.

"It took me an entire year of dating him to let him inside of my body. I held pride in being something he wanted so badly- a virgin girl" I say the last words as if I was on broadway. That's how he made me feel. I should have read the signs.

"He did everything right. He kissed me, he whispered to me how much he loved me, and how badly he had been waiting for me to finally give myself to him. He kissed me all over, even there. He told me that he wanted me ready for him. When we finally did get to the thing he wanted most, it began to hurt. I told him, and he whispered to me how much he apologized for the pain I experienced, and how badly he would take it away if he could. I held on for the three minutes he did last, and when he got near, he changed".

"He told me how naive I was for letting a guy like him into my body. How easy I was for believing his words and falling for the lie he presented to me. I was in complete shock as he still thrusted inside of me. By the time I came to my senses, he had climaxed. He got off of me before I was able to shove him away, and began taking my clothes from the floor. He threw them at me and told me not to come to his house again. He was the only man I've ever had sex with. That was four years ago" I explain to him, somehow not having my face drenched in tears.

I look at him, a weary smile on my face. "So if you want to know why I overthink, that's why". I take my pizza from the plate and take another bite. "Oh, can't forget about the part where he recorded the sounds we made together and showed it to his friends". All of my whimpering, all of my 'keep going's', even the parts where my voice was barely audible.

Xyle breathing is choked up. He throws his pizza onto his plate and shakes his head. "Celeste..." he can barely even form words. "How could he do that to you? I mean... how could anyone do that to anyone? He needs serious help" his tone is stronger. I look at him with obvious eyes.

"You have to know that wasn't your fault. You are one of the most perfect women I've ever seen in my fucking life. That was all on him. He is an asshole. You didn't deserve that" he has fury in his eyes.

I smile at his words. "That's why I've had a hard time with men but I think you're different than him... and Daniel".

He blows air through his mouth. "You bet your ass I am. Never in my life would I ever treat a woman that way. My mother would be turning in her..." he stops himself, shaking his head.

I frown at the mention of his mother, feeling all the emotions there before I come back to reality. "I'd hope you wouldn't act like them". He's finished his pizza. He leans over to set it down onto the centerpiece. "Judging by the way you act with me I can tell you have amazing self control".

Something ticks in his jaw. "I have amazing self control because I have no clue what I'm missing" he says. I look at him.

He looks at me. My eyebrows knit together. "What do you mean?".

"This feeling is entirely different with you, Celeste. I don't even understand what I'm feeling most times. I have to fucking Google it. When you see my thumbs moving, I'm researching".

I throw my head back a bit. "Researching? Like searching your feelings?" I ask him.

He looks shy but nods. "I always see this one word, but it's too soon for me to feel that, right?". I don't know. "It makes me so eager to have all of you, but at the same time, I want to wait for it".

"Even if I make you wait a year or two?" I quiz.

He chuckles lightly, nodding. "Even if you want to wait until I ask for your hand in marriage. Of course I'd ask your father's permission, but we will cross that road when we get there" he smiles sweetly.

I gaze at him. "You still haven't asked me to be your girlfriend yet you're talking about marriage. Baby steps" I tease.

He smiles deeply, scooting a bit closer to me. "Will you be my girlfriend, Celeste Persephone Abano?" He says lowly.

I mirror his expression as I turn to put my plate away. When I turn back to him he's steadily gazing. His eyes are intense and he looks as if he's afraid of rejection. "Xyles Kaiser Huxley... you still haven't taken me on a date".

He looks confused. "I've taken you on a date before. The day I discovered the tattoo on your arm" he reminds me.

I shake my head. "Those weren't real" I say.

He briefly closes his eyes and smiles. "You're right. It wasn't real. Allow me to properly take you on a date tomorrow evening. I'll get you flowers and everything" he offers.

I look down at my hands, studying them and fidgeting. "You'd do that for me?".

"Of course I would. I'll get my car detailed so that it looks excellent, and I'll take you to a fancy restaurant where the wine is expensive just the way you like it" he places his hand on my leg. "I'll even let you get drunk this time without being a party pooper" he says and I giggle.

"Okay. A date tomorrow evening. Sounds fun". I stand with my plate and he joins me inside of the kitchen. The tiny wine cellar calls me. I go over to it and pull out a bottle, holding it like gold as I throw him a look.

He inhales and shakes his head. "Date night is tomorrow, not now, baby".

I shrug, moving past him and taking two glasses from the tall cabinet. "Who's to say a woman doesn't deserve a bit of wine after a talk like that? You made me open up. You should be praising me" I bat my eyelashes.

I take the corkscrew from the drawer and begin to work on it. "Although you're right, we have to remember that you are a light drunk. One sip and you're wobbling all over the place" he says.

I scoff. "Dramatic".

He chuckles lightly. "I know, but you get what I'm saying don't you?... okay fine, a glass won't hurt" he says as he sees the way it pours out of the bottle so easily. I smirk as I fix him a glass and hand it to him. We cling them together before taking a sip. It's so sweet and delicious. I'll definitely want more.

"Don't go getting yourself so drunk that you won't be able to drive home, Mister" I tease as I leave the kitchen area. I hear him behind me.

"Planned to sleep on the couch if I had to, love".

I stop my smiling as I take a seat onto the couch. Without knowing it, I turn my body to his, and he does the same. "I want to know something about you, now. I have told you something that only Dacre and Nelia know, now you have to spill" I softly demand.

I bring my glass to my lips to take a sip.

"What do you want to know?".

I take a large gulp of my wine. "How many women have you slept with?" I ask. I've revealed my answer to him.

"Three".

"Three?" I repeat in shock.

He nods. "I don't know where you've gotten the narrative that I sleep around but I don't like it. I'm pretty stingy if you ask me" he tilts his head in confidence.

I try to hide the shock on my face. "I'm sorry. You just seem like you could have any woman you wanted in your bed".

"Clearly not true. I haven't had you there yet" he sips.

I blush. "You want me in your bed?".

He nods as if it is supposed to be obvious. "Yes, but I'm not pushing my luck every time I see you. I want for the both of us to fall deeply in love before that. I want to make love to you. I want to make you feel special. I'll tell you I love you when I am inside of you, surely that will feel amazing. As amazing as it'll feel when you say it back to me".

My mind fogs. I feel him between my legs. His words sound so wonderful. "I want to tell you I love you when you're inside of me, too. It'll be my first time making love".

"It will be my first time as well. The first time I'll ever be inside of someone I love. Not to say that I'm rushing it, but I can not wait until the day where you cry out my name. I'll be the best you ever had".

I pull my glass to my lips and take a sip to his words.

"You don't have much to compete with so don't go feeling too cocky" I smile.

He shrugs. "Even if you've been with a hundred men, I'd make you feel better than all of them".

I shake my head. "You're drunk".

"Not quite, baby. These are sober words. I haven't even sipped much from this wine glass. I will never be drunk around you".

I drink more. "So you really think you're that good?".

He nods without a beat.

I grow dizzy with lust. "Why don't you show me how good of a kisser you are. It's been hours, I think I've forgotten what you taste like" I bite my lip before drinking the rest of my wine.

He leans over and places his wine glass down. In a beat he's hovering over my body and crashing his lips into mine. I moan as I taste the sweetness on his lips, it tasting better since it has been in his mouth first. A swarm of butterflies make me shiver with ease. His touch burns me, but is so soothing at the same time. I pull my hands back to rest behind me. It holds me up as he nudges into my face. I moan again, feeling him press his tongue into my mouth. I open up to him, letting him possess me. I learn soon that he wants me to lay back, so I do. I lay my head against the end of the couch, he still hovers over me.

"I've never wanted anyone so badly in my life until you" he whispered, pulling back to kiss my neck. I gasped as I felt his tongue slide against my skin before he closed his mouth around me to suck there.

"Keep that up and I'll unleash another side of me. You'll be telling me I am the best you've ever had" I say.

He smiles into my skin before he kisses my collarbone. "I have zero doubt that you will be. You get goosebumps every time I touch you" he murmurs.

"Do I?" I breathe. He hums. "I thought it was-"

"Let's stop talking now" he softly shushes me. He trails his lips down to the very top of my breast, only the part that is peaking from the top of my camisole, and sucks me in. I gasp a moan as it is something I haven't felt in years. His mouth feels so good on me. His tongue flickers across the soft flesh, leaving me to arch my back and push into him.

"Oh God, Xyle".

He pulls back on his sucking, now kissing me gently all around my skin there, even through my shirt. "The day you let me please you will be the day your world expands. There's so many things we can explore with each other" he says.

I stick my hands into his hair and push him lower. "Less talking, more kissing, please" I whisper. He obliges. He lowers his head down a bit, kissing the space under my breasts. His lips press fire into me, and I can feel it deep in my core.

My pulse starts to jackhammer. With my mind fuzzing and fogging, I close my eyes and fall into the feeling of his lips against my skin. It feels the same as the night before. His slow journey begins. He kisses all around my stomach, and stops his lips right above there.

"Take off my pants" I pant.

He hums his disproval. "I think you're drunk already, baby. I will not take advantage of you by doing anything your sober mind wouldn't even think of" his words are fuzzy to me but I still understand them.

I shake my head, my chest weaving in and out. "I just want you to kiss me some more" I whisper, speaking my truth.

He leans himself up and looks down at me, his eyes filled with something sweet. He isn't the man I always thought he was. He is selfless, responsible, and so damn attractive. I slide my hands around his shirt and bawl it, tugging him closer to me.

"I'll kiss you up here, not down there until you give me sober consent" he presses his mouth into mine and I don't refuse. I tug him closer and I can feel the swell of his thick erection. It makes my body spasm.

I smile into his mouth at the feeling. "You feel like you'd be a