It was two in the morning when Erik grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the party, taking me back to the hotel. The night had been crazy, full of laughs and conversations that didn't want to end, but we knew we couldn't afford to lose track of time. We had a plane to catch at half ten in the morning, and before that, we had to get to the airport in plenty of time to check in our suitcase, which this time was bigger than the last time we travelled together. We'd be in Madrid from the 23rd of December until the 2nd of January, and the idea of spending the holidays with Erik made me feel like a little girl, excited in a way I hadn't been excited for Christmas in years.

Despite Vir's kind offer to let us stay at his place, Erik and I had preferred to rent a small independent studio right in the centre of Madrid. We wanted the freedom to do whatever we fancied, without having to worry about other people's schedules or being a nuisance to Vir or my parents.

'You're very quiet,' Erik said, twisting one of his fingers in my hair as we walked towards the hotel. 'Did you have a good time?' he asked, his eyes shining with interest.

'Very much,' I told him, my voice soft and quiet. 'You've got great mates.' Erik smiled, his finger sliding a little deeper into my hair.

'To be fair, I'm dead lucky,' he nodded, pulling me a bit closer as we passed between two buildings and a gust of wind enveloped us.

'Don't you ever feel tempted to move back?' I asked curiously, as he shook his head.

'I'm well sorted in Pierowall,' Erik said softly and thoughtfully as we walked to the hotel. He pulled the door key out of his pocket. 'My life ain't the same as it was a few years ago and the truth is, here, despite having my mates nearby, I was living with constant stress and adrenaline that just ends up draining you in the end.' I thought I saw a flash of tiredness in his eyes, a flash that quickly disappeared when he smiled and let me go through to the hotel first. 'Have you thought about what your plans are after Christmas?' he asked me, and my stomach did a little flip at the question.

Officially, I'd already left my refuge in Chalmersquoy, which I'd rented until the 20th of December, knowing I'd be going home for Christmas. Erik had offered again for me to stay at his place and in his life, but up until the chat with Sam about labels and fears, I'd been pretty indecisive about it.

'I've not finished my book yet and I'm scared I'll get too distracted in Madrid,' I told him, trying to sound serious but unable to hold back a mischievous smile.

I called the lift at the same time as Erik let go of me and looked at me with an excited expression.

'Does that mean you'll be coming back with me in January?' he asked, his voice full of excitement.

He'd been the only one to buy return tickets, and although he'd never pressured me into coming back, it was clear he wanted me to. I could see it in his eyes, in the way he looked at me. I could see it in his eyes, in the way he looked at me with so much affection. And deep down, I wanted to as well. I liked Pierowall, I liked the peace of the village, the way people knew each other. I liked the idea of having a place to fit in, to be part of something bigger than myself.

'At least until I finish the book,' I smiled, enjoying how his smile lit up, like he'd won a prize.

'Then I'll distract you so you never finish it,' he said, hugging me as we got into the lift.

'You've been rushing me to finish it soon for months,' I laughed, pressing the button for our floor. 'Now you don't want me to finish it?' I asked, laughing as the lift started going up.

'I wanted you to finish it so I could ask you out, remember you said no dating until you'd finished,' he reminded me, his voice full of humour.

'Well if I don't finish it now, how are we gonna dating?' I asked, laughing.

'I'd rather have you at home, even if you won't let me call you love,' he said in a deep voice, gently caressing my face.

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I liked the way he caressed my face, like he was trying to tell me something without words, something only I could understand.

Erik was an incredibly sweet man. I'd always liked that about him. He could seem a bit intimidating because of his appearance, but he was the most affectionate man I'd ever met. He wasn't afraid to show his emotions, or to make a fool of himself just to make me smile. His masculinity wasn't based on acting cold, but on being a self-assured man who didn't need to prove anything to anyone. He was attentive, thoughtful, and although I knew he was holding back because I still didn't quite feel comfortable with the idea of us dating, I was sure that the moment I accepted being "his girlfriend" he'd shower me with words of love and affection. I felt drawn to his way of being, to his ability to show emotions without fear of being judged.

'You're such a romantic,' I smiled, caressing his chest over the black shirt he'd chosen to match my dress.

'Only 'cause I'm in love,' he smiled, catching my eyes, his gaze full of sincerity and love.

'Are you in love?' I asked, though deep down I knew the answer.

'Deep down to my soul,' he cradled my face in his hands before kissing me softly and tenderly.

I let myself get carried away by the kiss, feeling that electric sensation coursing through my body like a wave of heat as our lips met. As soon as our tongues touched, a moan of pleasure escaped my lips and the kiss intensified. It was one of his favorite tactics, cornering me against any available surface so I couldn't escape, and I had to admit it made me lose my mind. I liked feeling trapped, my legs trembling and my heart racing, knowing there was no way out, that I was completely under his control.

'You're still so sweet, you've almost got me eating out of your hand,' I whispered with a seductive smile when he pulled back just enough for me to see the passion burning in his eyes with an intensity that made me feel desired and wanted.

Erik took my hand and led me to the door of the room, handing me the keycard with a smile that seemed to say something more. Then he knelt down beside me, and for a moment I thought he was going to adjust his shoelaces, that he was trying to tie his shoes, but I soon realized that wasn't the case. His hand began caressing my leg with a softness that melted me, moving up from my ankle to my thigh. My heart had started pounding in my chest, and my breathing had become shallow as I anxiously waited to see what would happen next.

'What are you doing?' I whispered, trying to stay calm as his hand softly caressed me.

'Making sure you don't call me sappy,' he said with a mischievous smile, looking up at me with smoldering, passionate eyes. His hand slowly slid under my dress, sending a shiver through my body.

My eyes met his, we were in the middle of the hallway and someone could see us at any moment. But Erik didn't seem to care, his gaze was dark and seductive. When he threatened to make love to me right there if I didn't open the door, my heart raced. I tried the keycard but it didn't work, I thought there was no escape from his game.

'It's not working,' I complained, feeling his hand slowly caressing my hips in an exquisite torture that threatened to consume me.

'Too bad,' he whispered, pressing his body against mine, his hot breath on my ear making me tremble.

I tried again but the door wouldn't budge, while his hand roamed my waist and moved up, delicately caressing my breasts with tantalizing slowness. My breathing quickened and my skin prickled under his touch, struggling not to succumb to my growing desire.

'Erik...someone will catch us,' I warned in a low voice, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and want at his ability to awaken my most intimate instincts.

'Even better,' he breathed into my ear, his nose nuzzling my skin and sending shivers of pleasure.

The elevator announced its arrival and before the doors opened, Erik took something from his pocket and opened the door in one motion, pushing me inside without giving me time to think. He turned me around to kiss me passionately, leaving me breathless, and gently laid me on the bed.

When he diverted his lips to my neck, I raised my hand with the keycard and realized it was actually his driver's license. A mix of surprise and amusement washed over me.

'You cheat!' I complained laughing, earning me a mischievous smile as he enjoyed his prank.

'Not my fault you're so cute and easily distracted.'

'You do whatever you want with me,' I feigned outrage.

'Oh yeah? Then you know what you have to do,' he said innocently, but his eyes shone with a playful challenge, daring me to a game of power.

I gave him a seductive smile and ordered him to lie down and stay quiet, my voice on the edge of losing control. I straddled his muscular body and began unbuttoning his shirt, kissing the exposed skin like a forbidden luxury. His breathing quickened with each caress.

'If you go too far, I'll make you suffer later,' he warned with a seductive laugh.

'You'll just get your revenge anyway,' I replied wickedly, earning another laugh.

'You're right. In that case, don't hold back.'

He looked at me with desire-filled eyes, ready to surrender to passion. I pressed my lips to his ear.

'I'll take you to the edge, until you're the one begging me,' I whispered, feeling him tremble in anticipation.